18 Bible Verses about Named Gentile Rulers

A short time after this King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. And while they tarried many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king. "There is a man here," he said, "whom Felix left a prisoner. "The chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me about him, when I was at Jerusalem, demanding a sentence against him.read more.
I told them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give any man up for punishment, before the accused had his accusers face to face, and had opportunity of defending himself against the charges that had been brought against him. "So when a number of them came together here, I made no delay, but the next day took my seat in the tribunal, and commanded the man to be brought. "But when his accusers stood up, they did not begin charging him with any of the crimes that I was expecting, but they kept quarreling with him about certain matters connected with their own religion, and about one Jesus who had died, but whom Paul affirmed over and over was alive. I was perplexed how to investigate such questions, and asked Paul whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. But when Paul appealed to have his case reviewed for the decision of the Emperor, I ordered him to be detained until I could send him up to Caesar." "I should like to hear the man, myself," said Agrippa to Festus. Festus answered, "You shall hear him tomorrow." So the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and took their places in the hall of audience, accompanied by the tribunes and men of high rank in the city. At the command of Festus Paul was brought in. "King Agrippa," said Festus, "and all men who are present with us, you see here the man about whom the entire body of the Jews at Jerusalem, and here also, sent to me, crying out that he ought not to live any longer. "I could not find that he had done anything for which he ought to die; but as he himself has appealed to the Emperor, I have determined to send him. "Now I have nothing very definite to tell our sovereign about him. So I have brought the man before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, in order that, after examination, I may have something to write.

Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched forth his hand and began to make his defense.

"I am speaking words of sober truth. For the King, to whom I am speaking freely, knows of these matters. I am persuaded that not one of these things has escaped his notice; for these things were not done in a corner. "King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe." Agrippa answered, "In short, you are doing your best to persuade me to become a Christian."read more.
"Long or short," answered Paul, "my prayer to God is that not only you but all who are my hearers this day might become such as I am, save for these chains." Then the king rose, and Bernice, and those who were sitting with him. When they had withdrawn they continued talking to one another. "This man is doing nothing," they said, "for which he deserves death or imprisonment." And Agrippa said to Festus, "If he had not appealed to Caesar, he might have been set free."

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there; and being warned of God in a dream, he withdrew into Galilee and settled in a town called Nazareth,

After the birth of Jesus, which took place at Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod, lo! certain Magi arrived in Jerusalem, saying. "Where is the new-born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.read more.
So when he had gathered together all the chief priests and rabbis of the people, he began to inquire of them where the Christ was to be born. And they told him. "At Bethlehem in Judea, as it is written in the prophet. "And thou Bethlehem in the land of Judah, Thou are not least among the princes of Judah, For out of thee shall come a ruler Who shall shepherd my people, Israel." Thereupon Herod sent secretly for the Magi, and found out from them the time when the star appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and make careful inquiry about the child, and as soon as you have found him bring me word, that I, too, may go and worship him."

As soon as Herod saw that he had been mocked by the Magi, he was furious. He sent and put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and all the neighborhood who were two years old or under, in accordance with the date which he had ascertained from the Magi.

In the reign of Herod, King of Judea, there was a certain priest, named Zachariah, belonging to the class of Abijah. He had a wife named Elizabeth,

Just then Herod, the Tetrarch, heard of Jesus' fame, and said to his courtiers. "This man is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead. That is why miraculous powers are working through him." For Herod had apprehended John, shackled him, and thrust him into prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,read more.
because John kept telling him, "It is not right for you to have her." And although he wished to kill John, he feared the people, for they considered John a prophet. But when Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and so pleased Herod that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked for. So, prompted by her mother, the girl said, "Give me at once, upon a dish, the head of John the Baptist." The king was displeased because of this, but because of his oaths and his guests he ordered it to be given her. He sent and beheaded John in prison;

King Herod heard it, for the name of Jesus had become well known, People were saying, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and on that account these powers are working in him." "He is Elijah," said others. And still others were saying, "He is a prophet, like one of the old prophets." But when Herod heard, he said, "That John whom I beheaded has come back to life."read more.
Now this Herod had sent and arrested John, and bound him in prison, for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. For John had often told Herod, "It is not right for you to live with your brother's wife." So Herodias hated him, and wished to put him to death; but she could not, for Herod was afraid of John because he knew that he was a just and holy man. So he kept him safe. When he listened to John he was much exercised, yet he found pleasure in listening to him. Then came a convenient day, when Herod on his birthday held a feast for his lords and generals and the leading men of Galilee, at which the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced. She charmed Herod and his guests. "Ask me whatever you want," said the king to the young girl, "and I will give it to you." He even swore to her that whatever she asked, he would give it to her, up to half his kingdom. So she came out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" "The head of John the Baptist," she replied. So she at once hurried in to the king and made her request, "I want you," she said, "to give me, without delay, the head of John the Baptist on a charger." Then the king was exceedingly sorry; yet on account of his oaths and his guests he was unwilling to disappoint her. So he sent at once a soldier of the guard with orders to bring his head. And he went and beheaded John in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young girl, and she gave it to her mother.

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip, tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias, tetrarch of Abilene;

but Herod, the Tetrarch, when reproved by him because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and because of all the wicked deeds that he had done,

Now Herod, the Tetrarch, heard of all that was happening; and he was perplexed because of its being said by someone that John was risen from the dead; and by some that Elijah had appeared; and by others that one of the ancient prophets was risen again. So Herod said, "I beheaded John, but who is this of whom I am hearing such reports," And he kept seeking to see him.

and when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction he sent him to Herod, who himself happened to be in Jerusalem during those days. Now when Herod saw Jesus he was exceedingly glad. He had long been wanting to see him, because he had heard so much about him, and was hoping to see some miracles performed by him. So he had been asking him many questions, but Jesus made no answers.read more.
Meanwhile the high priests and Scribes were standing around, and continually making accusations to him against him. Then Herod and his soldiers set him at naught, and mocked him, and throwing about him a gorgeous robe, sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends again from that very day; for before they had been at enmity between themselves.

"In this very city they did gather together against thy holy Servant, Jesus whom thou hast anointed??erod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and also the tribes of Israel??28 "to do all that thy power and thy will had predetermined should be done.

Neither does Herod; for he sent him back to us. You see that he has done nothing worthy of death.

Now, at about that time, Herod the king put forth his hands to ill-treat certain members of the church; and beheaded James, the brother of John, with the sword. And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. (This was during the days of unleavened bread.)

Then Herod had search made for him, and could not find him. After sharply questioning the guards, he ordered them off to execution. He then went down from Judea to Caesarea, where he stayed for some time. Now Herod was violently displeased with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they came to him, with one accord, and after conciliating Blastus, the royal chamberlain, they begged for peace because their country depended upon the king's country for its food supply. So on the appointed day, Herod put on his royal robes, and after taking his seat upon the throne, began to harangue them.read more.
"The voice of a god, and not of a man," the people kept shouting. Instantly an angel of the Lord smote him, because he had not given God the glory, and being eaten up by worms, he died.

This was the first census, When Quirinius was governor of Syria.