What are the…
Herodians

This is the name of an ancient Jewish political party that sympathized with their Herodian rulers in their general policy of government, and in the social customs which they introduced from Rome.

The Herodians were Hellenistic Jews, a form of Judaism that combined Jewish religious tradition with elements of Hellenistic culture.

They were in agreement with the Pharisees about keeping Judea in submission to Rome, and in supporting the Herod family on the throne.

The Herodians are mentioned in the following Scripture as being active enemies of Jesus Christ. They implemented a deceptive plan to spy on Him inorder to discover a weakness they could exploit.

And the Pharisees went out and immediately began taking counsel together with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.

…Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him in order to trap Him in a statement. —Mark 3:6; 12:13

Then the Pharisees went and took counsel together about how they might trap Him in what He said. And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. Therefore, tell us, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a tax to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, knowing their wickedness, said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites?” —Matt. 22:15-18

These Herodians may be the same spies referred to by Luke.

So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, so that they might catch Him in some statement, in order to deliver Him to the rule and the authority of the governor. —Luke 20:20

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Article Version: July 13, 2024