18 Bible Verses about Named Gentile Rulers

Now when some days were passed, Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to salute Festus. And as their stay there was extended to a considerable time, Festus communicated to the king Paul's affairs, saying, There is a certain man left by Felix, a prisoner: against whom when I was at Jerusalem, the high-priest and the elders of the Jews appeared, desiring judgment against him.read more.
To whom I replied, That it was not customary for Romans to give up any man gratuitously to destruction, before that the person accused should have his accusers produced face to face, and be allowed opportunity to defend himself against the charge. When therefore they were come here together, making no demur, the very next day I sat on the tribunal, and commanded the man to be brought. Against whom his accusers standing forth, brought no charge of such things as I expected: but only pleaded against him certain disputes about their own mode of religious worship, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. But being in doubt respecting a question of this sort, I demanded if he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things. But Paul appealing that he should be reserved for the cognizance of Augustus, I ordered him to be kept in custody until I should send him to Caesar. Then Agrippa said to Festus, I wish also myself to hear the man. He said, To-morrow thou shalt hear him. On the morrow therefore, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with a very splendid retinue, and were entered into the place of audience, with the military tribunes, and the men of superior eminence in the city, then at the order of Festus Paul was produced. And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all you, sirs, who are present with us, behold the man, concerning whom the whole multitude of the Jews have set upon me, both at Jerusalem and in this place, clamouring that he ought not to live a moment longer. But finding on inquiry that he had done nothing worthy of death, and he himself indeed having appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. Respecting whom I have nothing determinate to write to my sovereign. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before thee, king Agrippa, that on a fresh examination taken, I might have something to write.

THEN Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretching out his hand, began his defence:

For the king is well acquainted with these things, before whom also I speak with the greatest freedom. For I am persuaded that none of these events have escaped his notice; for this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa! believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said to Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.read more.
And Paul replied, would to God, that not only thou, but also that all who are hearing me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these chains. So when he had thus spoken, the king arose, and the governor, and Bernice, and they who sat with him, and retiring, conversed together, saying, This man hath done nothing worthy of death, or of chains. And Agrippa said to Festus, This man might have been discharged, if he had not appealed to Caesar.

But hearing that Archelaus reigned in Judea in the stead of Herod his father, he was afraid to go thither. And being divinely warned in a dream, he retired into the country of Galilee,

NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, lo! Magians from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the East, and are come to pay him homage. Now when Herod the king heard this, he was much agitated, and all Jerusalem with him.read more.
And assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he enquired of them, where the Messiah should be born. Then they answered him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet, "And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, art in no respect the least amongst the princes of Judah, for from thee shall go forth the Ruler, who shall conduct my people Israel." Thereupon Herod secretly calling to him the Magians, enquired very particularly of them the time of the star's appearing, and sending them to Bethlehem said, Go, and procure the most exact information respecting this child; and when you have found him, bring me intelligence, that I may come, and pay him homage also.

Then Herod, perceiving that he was treated delusively by the Magians, was greatly exasperated, and he sent and slew all the male infants, that were in Bethlehem, and in all its territories, from their entering their second year and all under it, according to the time, which he had accurately enquired from the Magians.

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abiah: and his wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elisabeth.

AT that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report of Jesus, and said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore miracles are wrought by him. For Herod having seized John, had bound him, and put him in prison, for the sake of Herodias, the wife of Philip his brother.read more.
For John said unto him, It is unlawful for thee to have her. And though he wished to kill him, he was afraid of the multitude, for they held him as a prophet. But when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced in the circle, and pleased Herod: so that with an oath he promised to give her whatever she should ask. And she, being previously urged on by her mother, said, Give me here, in a spacious dish, the head of John the Baptist. And the king was grieved: but for his oath's sake, and on account of those who were with him, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.

And king Herod heard it (for his name was celebrated), and he said, This is John the Baptist, he is risen from the dead, and therefore miracles are wrought by him. Others said, That it is Elias; and others said, He is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. But when Herod heard it, he said, This is John whom I beheaded; he is risen from the dead.read more.
For Herod himself had sent and seized upon John, and bound him in prison, for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife; because he had married her. For John said to Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. Therefore Herodias bore him a rooted resentment, and would have slain him; yet could not: for Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man; and paid great attention to him and when he heard him, did many things, and heard him with delight. And a favourable day being come for her purpose, when Herod on his birth-day made a supper for his nobles, and military commanders, and the principal personages of Galilee; and the daughter of this Herodias coming in, and dancing, and delighting Herod, and his company, the king said to the damsel, Ask me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And he swore unto her, That whatsoever thou shalt ask, I will give thee, even to the half of my kingdom. Then she went out and said to her mother, What shall I ask? and she said, The head of John the Baptist. And she came in immediately with eagerness to the king, and asked, saying, I desire that thou wilt give me on the spot, in a charger, the head of John the Baptist. And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet on account of his oath, and those who sat with him, he would not refuse her. And the king immediately sending a centinel, commanded his head to be brought thither: and he went, and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel, and the damsel gave it to her mother.

NOW in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene:

Now Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him, on account of Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the other wicked actions which he had done,

Then Herod the tetrarch heard of all things that were done by him; and he was in much distraction of mind, because it was said by some, that John was risen from the dead: and of some that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the ancient prophets was risen again. And Herod said, John I beheaded; but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him.

And when he knew that he came out of Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was himself at Jerusalem in those days. Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was vastly delighted: for he had been long desirous to see him, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to see some miracle wrought by him. And he put a variety of questions to him; but he made him no reply.read more.
And the chief priests and the scribes stood up vehemently accusing him. Then Herod with his guards treated him with contempt, and in derision clothed him in a splendid robe, and sent him back to Pilate. And Pilate and Herod the same day became friends together: for they had previously been at enmity with each other.

For they have been in truth collected together against thy holy Son Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, even Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the heathen, and the people of Israel,

nor Herod neither: for I referred you to him; and, lo, nothing is done to this man, as if he deserved death.

NOW at that time Herod the king stretched forth his hand to treat cruelly certain persons belonging to the church. And he slew James the brother of John with a sword. And seeing how agreeable this was to the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

And Herod sought him out earnestly, but not being able to find him, after having examined the guards strictly, he commanded them to be executed. And going down from Jerusalem to Caesarea, took up his abode there. Now Herod was fiercely bent on war against the Tyrians and Sidonians: but they presented themselves unanimously before him, and ingratiating themselves with Blastus who was over the king's bedchamber, they begged for peace; because their country received all their supply of provisions from the king's territories. Then on a day appointed, Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, and seated on his throne, made an harangue unto them.read more.
And the populace shouted, It is the voice of a god, and not a man. But instantly the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not the glory to God: and being devoured with worms, he expired.

(And this first enrolment was made by Cyrenius, [afterwards] governor of Syria)