Herod Agrippa was a grandson of Herod the Great and the son of Aristobulus IV. Unlike the earlier division of his grandfather’s kingdom among several sons, Agrippa eventually ruled over nearly the entire territory that Herod the Great had once controlled. Agrippa first received territory in 37 AD, when the Roman emperor Caligula granted him … Read more
Herod Philip, often called Philip the Tetrarch, was another son of Herod the Great. When his father’s kingdom was divided in 4 BC, Philip was given control of territories northeast of the Sea of Galilee, including Iturea and Trachonitis. He ruled at the same time as his brothers Archelaus and Antipas, each governing a portion … Read more
Herod Antipas was another of the many sons of Herod the Great. When his father’s kingdom was divided after his death, Antipas was given control of Galilee to the north and Perea to the east of Judea. Like his brothers Archelaus and Philip, Antipas ruled simultaneously over his portion of the divided kingdom under Roman … Read more
Herod Archelaus was one of the very many whole-lotta sons of Herod the Great. When his father died in 4BC, the kingdom was divided among several of his sons, who ruled their territories simultaneously. Archelaus was given control of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea. Unlike his father, Archelaus did not hold the title of “King” but … Read more
Herod the Great ruled Judea from about 37 BC to 4 BC under Roman authority. Though remembered in the New Testament for ordering the Massacre of the Innocents after the birth of Jesus (Matthew 2) he was also known for massive building projects. Most famously, he greatly expanded the Second Temple in Jerusalem, turning it … Read more
Titles of Jesus in the New Testament This man had many names. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus is described with many titles that reveal who He is and what He came to do. Title Meaning Scripture Messiah / Christ The Anointed One promised in the Old Testament John 4:25–26 Son of God Declares Jesus’ divine … Read more
What do you do when everyone around you is nodding along with something you know good and well is not true? Speaking up will make the whole room turn on you. Do you have the courage to speak up? Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem accused of blasphemy, surrounded by leaders who had already … Read more
Saul of Tarsus thought he was doing God’s work. He hunted Christians, dragged them out of their homes, and approved gleefully when the were put to death. Then on the road to Damascus, everything changed. A blinding light stunned him and the voice of Jesus confronted him directly. The man who once tried to destroy … Read more
Sometimes doing the right thing costs you something. Daniel knew the law had changed. Praying to God was now illegal. The penalty was the lion’s den. He prayed anyway. Righteousness does not mean life will be easy. It means choosing what is right even when the consequences are real. This is the Breastplate of Righteousness. … Read more
Salome was one of the women who followed Jesus and witnessed the crucifixion. She is mentioned in the Gospels among the women who remained near the cross and later brought spices to Jesus’ tomb after the Sabbath. She is often identified as the mother of James and John, though the Bible does not state this … Read more