The previous article tackled King Herod the Great who demolished and rebuilt the temple of Jerusalem on its previous borders, yet the area with Temple Mouns was double. Then, we recounted the trip of the Magi to Jerusalem after Jesus’ birth and the murder of the children of Bethlehem by Herod. In 4 BC, Herod’s health was deteriorated, and he died after he left the throne to Archelaus, his son. Josephus, the historian, recounted: “When he had done these things, he died, the fifth day after he had caused Antipater to be slain….; but since he had been declared king by the Romans, thirty-seven…. Herod had instructed his son before his death to kill all those in prison, so that there would be weeping and mourning in every household after his death. He despised the idea of people rejoicing at his departure. However, his son did not carry out this command. Instead, he released the prisoners and treated them kindly, and they were a great number.”
As for Jesus Christ, the Holy Family resorted to Egypt and stayed there till Herod’s death: “Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
Archelaus, Herod’ Son:
And it happened that people feared that Archelaus would follow in his father’s footsteps in his tyranny, so they sought refuge with Augustus Caesar in Rome. They asked him not to allow Archelaus to succeed, his father, Herod. At the same time, Archelaus also sought refuge with Augustus Caesar, accompanied by Nicolaus, Herod’s friend, who spoke to the emperor and managed to persuade him to grant authority over Judea to Archelaus. Augustus Caesar ordered him to return to Jerusalem, which was then troubled by unrest.
After Archelaus became king, he mistreated the Jews and committed many shameful acts, including taking the wife of his deceased brother Alexander. Archelaus reigned for seven years until Augustus Caesar sent a commander to arrest him. He was bound and taken to Rome, where he died. After him, his brother Antipas, whose name was changed to Herod by Augustus Caesar, became king.
Herod Antipas
Herod Antipas succeeded his brother Archelaus as king. It is mentioned that he was even more wicked than Archelaus and committed vile deeds. He took Herodias, his brother, Philip’s wife, as his own while Philip was still alive. When Jewish scholars objected to his actions, he killed many of them, including John the Baptist. The Bible recounts, “For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore, he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. So, she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.”And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. So, he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it and went and told Jesus.”
During the reign of this Herod, Jesus began His ministry and teaching the congregations. Josephus mentioned that, “Now, there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.”
As for the condition of Jerusalem in that era…. The discussion about al-Quds still captivates us for stories of Beautiful Egypt can never end…