How many kings were in the Herod family line? Which of them did the following: Which Herod had John the Baptist beheaded? Which Herod questioned Jesus at one of his trials? Which Herod ordered the deaths of the baby boys in Bethlehem? Which Herod was ruling in Judea when Jesus’ family came back from Egypt? Which Herod rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem? Which Herod married his brother’s wife? Which Herod did Paul appear before and preach to? Which Herod had James executed?
Answer: There were 6 or 7 kings in the Herod line, depending on which sources you read – 1) Herod the Great, 2) Archelaus, 3) Herod Antipas (the Tetrarch), 4) Philip I (some scholars question if he went by the family name of Herod although he was a son of Herod the Great), 5) Herod Philip II, 6) Agrippa I, 7) Agrippa II. Herod Antipas (the Tetrarch) had John the Baptist beheaded. (Luke 3:1,19; Mark 6:14-17) This same Herod also questioned Jesus at one of his trials before His crucifixion. (Luke 23:6-12) Herod the Great ordered the deaths of the baby boys in Bethlehem. (Matthew 2:16) Archelaus, son of Herod the Great, was ruling in Judea when Joseph brought his family back from Egypt. This is why they went to Nazareth in Galilee. (Matthew 2:19-23) Herod the Great rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem. He was known for his extensive building projects he undertook as king. Herod Antipas (the Tetrarch) married Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. (Mark 6:17-18) Paul preached to Herod Agrippa II in Acts 26. His father, Herod Agrippa I had James executed. (Acts 12:1,2) *Some of these answers are explicit in the scriptures and others had to be found through historical resources.