18 Bible Verses about Named Gentile Rulers

Some days later King Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea, and paid a visit of congratulation to Festus; And, as they were staying there for several days, Festus laid Paul's case before the King. "There is a man here," he said, "left a prisoner by Felix, About whom, when I came to Jerusalem, the Jewish Chief Priest and the Councillors laid an information, demanding judgment against him.read more.
My answer to them was, that it was not the practice of Romans to give up any man to his accusers till the accused had met them face to face, and had also had an opportunity of answering the charges brought against him. So they met here, and without loss of time I took my seat on the Bench the very next day, and ordered the man to be brought before me. But, when his accusers came forward, they brought no charge of wrong-doing such as I had expected; But I found that there were certain questions in dispute between them about their own religion, and about some dead man called Jesus, whom Paul declared to be alive. And, as I was at a loss how to enquire into questions of this kind, I asked Paul if he were willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there be put upon his trial. Paul, however, appealed to have his case reserved for the consideration of his August Majesty, so I ordered him to be detained in custody, until I could send him to the Emperor." "I should like to hear this man myself," Agrippa said to Festus. "You shall hear him to-morrow," Festus answered. So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come in full state and had entered the Audience Chamber, with the superior officers and the principal people of the city, by the order of Festus Paul was brought before them. Then Festus said: "King Agrippa, and all here present, you see before you the man about whom the whole Jewish people have applied to me, both at Jerusalem and here, loudly asserting that he ought not to be allowed to live. I found, however, that he had not done anything deserving death; so, as he had himself appealed to his August Majesty, I decided to send him. But I have nothing definite to write about him to my Imperial Master; and for that reason I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, that, after examining him, I may have something to write.

Turning to Paul, Agrippa said: "You are at liberty to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense.

Indeed, the King knows about these matters, so I speak before him without constraint. I am sure that there is nothing whatever of what I have been telling him that has escaped his attention; for all this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know you do." But Agrippa said to Paul: "You are soon trying to make a Christian of me!"read more.
"Whether it is soon or late," answered Paul, "I would to God that not only you, but all who are listening to me, might to-day become just what I am myself--except for these chains!" Then the King rose, with the Governor and Bernice and those who had been sitting with them, And, after retiring, discussed the case among themselves. "There is nothing," they said, "deserving death or imprisonment in this man's conduct"; And, speaking to Festus, Agrippa added: "The man might have been discharged, if he had not appealed to the Emperor."

But, hearing that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as King of Judea, he was afraid to go back there; and having been warned in a dream, he went into the part of the country called Galilee.

After the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem in Judea, in the reign of King Herod, some Astrologers from the East arrived in Jerusalem, asking: "Where is the new-born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and have come to do homage to him." When King Herod heard of this, he was much troubled, and so, too, was all Jerusalem.read more.
He called together all the Chief Priests and Teachers of the Law in the nation, and questioned them as to where the Christ was to be born. "At Bethlehem in Judea," was their answer; "for it is said in the Prophet-- 'And thou, Bethlehem in Judah's land, Art in no way least among the chief cities of Judah; For out of thee will come a Chieftain- - One who will shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod secretly sent for the Astrologers, and ascertained from them the date of the appearance of the star; And, sending them to Bethlehem, he said: "Go and make careful inquiries about the child, and, as soon as you have found him, bring me word, that I, too, may go and do homage to him."

When Herod found that he had been trifled with by the Astrologers, he was very angry. He sent and put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and the whole of that neighborhood, who were two years old or under, guided by the date which he had ascertained from the Astrologers.

In the reign of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the Division called after Abijah. His wife, whose name was Elizabeth, was also a descendant of Aaron.

At that time Prince Herod heard of the fame of Jesus, And said to his attendants: " This must be John the Baptist; he must be risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are active in him." For Herod had arrested John, put him in chains, and shut him up in prison, to please Herodias, the wife of Herod's brother Philip.read more.
For John had said to him 'You have no right to be living with her.' Yet, though Herod wanted to put him to death, he was afraid of the people, because they looked on John as a Prophet. But, when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before his guests, and so pleased Herod, That he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, the girl said 'Give me here, on a dish, the head of John the Baptist.' The king was distressed at this; yet, on account of his oath and of the guests at his table, he ordered it to be given her. He sent and beheaded John in the prison;

Now King Herod heard of Jesus; for his name had become well known. People were saying--"John the Baptizer must have risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are active in him." Others again said--"He is Elijah," and others--"He is a Prophet, like one of the great Prophets." But when Herod heard of him, he said--"The man whom I beheaded--John--he must be risen!"read more.
For Herod himself had sent and arrested John, and put him in prison, in chains, to please Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because Herod had married her. For John had said to Herod--'You have no right to be living with your brother's wife.' So Herodias was incensed against John, and wanted to put him to death, but was unable to do so, Because Herod stood in fear of John, knowing him to be an upright and holy man, and protected him. He had listened to John, but still remained much perplexed, and yet he found pleasure in listening to him. A suitable opportunity, however, occurred when Herod, on his birthday, gave a dinner to his high officials, and his generals, and the foremost men in Galilee. And when his daughter--that is, the daughter of Herodias--came in and danced, she delighted Herod and those who were dining with him. 'Ask me for whatever you like,' the King said to the girl, 'and I will give it to you'; And he swore to her that he would give her whatever she asked him--up to half his kingdom. The girl went out, and said to her mother 'What must I ask for?' 'The head of John the Baptizer,' answered her mother. So she went in as quickly as possible to the King, and made her request. 'I want you,' she said, 'to give me at once, on a dish, the head of John the Baptist.' The King was much distressed; yet, on account of his oath and of the guests at his table, he did not like to refuse her. He immediately dispatched one of his bodyguard, with orders to bring John's head. The man went and beheaded John in the prison, And, bringing his head on a dish, gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.

In the fifteenth year of the reign of the Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was Governor of Judea, Herod Ruler of Galilee, his brother Philip Ruler of the territory comprising Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias Ruler of Abilene,

But Prince Herod, being rebuked by John respecting Herodias, the wife of Herod's brother, and for all the evil things that he had done,

Prince Herod heard of all that was happening, and was perplexed, because it was said by some that John must be risen from the dead. Some again said that Elijah had appeared, and others that one of the old Prophets had risen again. But Herod himself said: "John I beheaded; but who is this of whom I hear such things?" And he endeavored to see him.

And, having satisfied himself that Jesus came under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who also was at Jerusalem at the time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly pleased, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, having heard a great deal about him; and he was hoping to see some sign given by him. So he questioned him at some length, but Jesus made no reply.read more.
Meanwhile the Chief Priests and the Teachers of the Law stood by and vehemently accused him. And Herod, with his soldiers, treated Jesus with scorn; he mocked him by throwing a gorgeous robe round him, and then sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, for before that there had been ill-will between them.

There have indeed gathered together in this city against your holy Servant Jesus, whom you has consecrated the Christ, not Herod and Pontius Pilate only, but the nations and the people of Israel besides--

Nor did Herod either; for he has sent him back to us. And, as a fact, he has not done anything deserving death;

It was at that time that King Herod began to ill-treat some of the members of the Church. He had James, the brother of John, beheaded; And, when he saw that the Jews were pleased with this, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the Festival of the Unleavened Bread.)

And, when Herod had made further search for him and failed to find him, he closely questioned the Guard, and ordered them away to execution. Then he went down from Judea to stay at Caesarea. It happened that Herod was deeply offended with the people of Tyre and Sidon, but they went in a body to him, and, having succeeded in winning over Blastus, the Chamberlain, they begged Herod for a reconciliation, because their country was dependent on the King's for its food-supply. On an appointed day Herod, wearing his state-robes, seated himself on his throne, and delivered an oration.read more.
The people kept shouting: "It is the voice of God, and not of a man!" Instantly an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give God the glory; and he was attacked with worms, and died.

(This was the first census taken while Quirinius was Governor of Syria).