The Herodians might not be as well-known or spoken about as frequently as the Pharisees or Sadducees, but their presence in the New Testament points to the reality of the spiritual and political tension that existed during Jesus’ ministry. Who were these people that were adversaries of Jesus and who purposely made friends with their opponents for the sake of getting Jesus out of the way? Understanding who they are will help us draw similarities to the spiritual and political dynamics we encounter in today’s world.
There are three places in the Bible where the Herodians are mentioned. The first instance happens in Mark 3. On this occasion, Jesus was in the temple on the Sabbath and a man with a shriveled hand was there. The Herodians were there, looking for a reason to accuse Jesus. They wanted to see if Jesus would “work” and heal this man on the Sabbath. After Jesus heals the man, the Bible tells us the Pharisees got together with the Herodians and began plotting how they might kill Jesus.
In the two other places, Mark 12 and Matthew 22, the Herodians, along with the Pharisees, try to trap Jesus. This time they questioned him about paying taxes. Jesus knew what was in their heart and was able to silence them with his wisdom. While these are the only recorded incidents in the Bible of the Herodians, it is probably safe to assume Jesus dealt with the Herodians more than just these three times.
The Herodians were a unique group in the New Testament, standing out not for their religious beliefs but for their political alignment. They were Jews loyal to Herod and staunch supporters of the Herodian dynasty. Their allegiance to Herod meant they backed Roman rule over Israel, which gave them influence and power in Judea. However, this loyalty came at a cost—they were deeply unpopular among many Jews, who saw them as traitors to their nation and faith.
Their alignment with Herod and Rome put them at odds with other Jewish sects, particularly the Pharisees. The Pharisees, like other groups, wanted to see the kingdom of Israel restored under Jewish rule. However, their motivation wasn’t entirely noble. A Jewish king would increase their own influence and control over the people. Despite their differences, both groups found a reason to unite: their mutual opposition to Jesus.
To the Herodians, Jesus posed a significant political threat. His teachings about the kingdom of God directly challenged the established order and undermined the authority of Rome, which they loyally supported. For the Pharisees, the threat was spiritual and personal. Jesus’ growing influence drew people away from their rigid interpretations of the law and exposed the hypocrisy in their practices. Despite their opposing priorities and natural rivalry, their shared hostility toward Jesus brought these two groups together. Their unlikely alliance highlights how a common enemy can unite even the most unlikely of partners when their power or influence is at stake.
The Herodians, along with the Pharisees and Sadducees, all felt threatened by Jesus—but for slightly different reasons. However, they were all concerned about his growing popularity and the unmatched authority with which he taught. If Jesus was on tour, he would have been selling out arenas everywhere he went. This level of influence made them nervous and was a serious problem in their eyes.
Jesus didn’t just teach. He also shook up the status quo and challenged their authority by talking about a different type of kingdom. Even though they hated him, they respected him and especially the crowds who followed him. Despite this, they didn’t stop looking for ways to kill Jesus.
Their encounters with Jesus weren’t about genuine dialogue or understanding. They made calculated moves designed to trap, discredit, or eliminate Jesus. We see this clearly in Mark’s gospel.
"Later, they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, 'Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?'” (Mk. 12:13-15).
Jesus thwarted their attempts and, in this case, gave them an answer they did not expect and they could not dispute.
"Then Jesus said to them, 'Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.' And they were amazed at him" (Mk. 12:17).
The Herodians were likely aligned with Herod Antipas, who ruled over Galilee from 4 BC to 39 AD. Among other things, Herod Antipas was the one responsible for beheading John the Baptist, and he also married Herodias, who was his brother Philip’s wife. John the Baptist strongly criticized Herod for this, which ultimately played a role in his death.
There are many scholars who believe the Herodians looked to Herod as their Messiah, which was a reason for their allegiance. Remember, the Jews at this time were looking for a Messiah to restore Israel and showing allegiance to Herod could have been a way of positioning Israel in a place of favor and blessing.
Other Jews wanted the glory of Israel but not at the blessing of Rome. They were looking for a Messiah to free them from the oppression of Rome and allow them to thrive again with their own land and their own king. These two ideologies collided, and the Jews who wanted a return of the glory of Israel saw these Herodians as traitors.
The issues of the Herodians still exist today because there are some who function like modern day Herodians. Though they use different names, they hold spiritual titles while pursuing political agendas. These types of people function like Herodians because they see political power as the means of accomplishing their agendas. The type of spiritual and political climate that existed then mirrors the climate we live in now.
So, what can we learn from the Herodians that will apply to us today? Here are three simple lessons.
The Herodians pursued a political agenda, and Jesus was an inconvenient cog that was messing up what they wanted to accomplish. That speaks volumes. When you attempt to mix politics with Jesus, they don’t mix well, primarily because politics is about power and position. The Herodians saw an opportunity to curry favor with Rome, yet Jesus was not interested in doing that. Because he was also gaining in popularity, he was a threat to their agenda. They sought to remove him to maintain their small degree of power and to protect their position. In today’s culture, when you mix Jesus into your political party (regardless of which party you belong to), it will come with some level of compromise. If you truly bring Jesus into the mix completely, many things must change. Like the Herodians, this is when dealing with Jesus becomes inconvenient to your cause.
In Matthew, Jesus said you cannot serve two masters (Mt. 6:24). You are going to love one more than the other. Clearly, the Herodians loved the kingdom of Rome more than they loved Jesus. Remember, they were trying to kill Jesus, so they could not have loved him. At some point, they had to decide which kingdom would garner their allegiance. They chose Rome. We must also decide which kingdom we will give our allegiance to. The pursuit of worldly kingdoms makes pursuing God's kingdom impossible, as they are mutually exclusive, and you cannot love both. You must choose one or the other.
Someone told me once that we need to have the right people in office so we can bring about the kingdom of God on earth and facilitate the return of Jesus. Sadly, they were so far off base. The kingdom of God does not live in political chambers or the halls of government (the Herodians obviously missed this point, as many do today). The kingdom of God lives in the hearts of men. This was true when Jesus came and remains true today. Political figures and influence will not shift the culture towards Jesus or advance the kingdom of God. If they could, Jesus would have done that himself two thousand years ago. Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world and that means the measures we use to advance his kingdom cannot be of this world either.
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place” (Jn. 18:36).
Further Reading
What Should Christians Know about Herod?
Who Was Herod Antipas and What Did He Do in the Bible?
Who is Herod Antipas in the Bible?
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