18 Bible Verses about Named Gentile Rulers

And some days after king Agrippa and Bernice came to Cesarea to salute Festus. And as they spent several days there, Festus related Paul's case to the king, saying, There is a man left in custody by Felix: concerning whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews appeared in court, desiring judgement against him.read more.
To whom I answered, it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, till he that is accused have the accusers face to face, and have an opportunity of making his defence concerning the accusation. Therefore when they were come hither, making no delay, I sat on the tribunal the next day, and ordered the man to be brought before me. Against whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such things as I supposed they would: but had certain questions against him concerning their own religion; and of one Jesus that was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. But I being in doubt as to the dispute concerning these matters, asked him, if he would go to Jerusalem, and there be tried concerning these things. But when Paul appealed, to be reserved to the hearing of our sovereign, I ordered him to be kept till I could send him to Cesar. Then Agrippa said to Festus, I should be willing to hear the man myself. And he said, thou shalt hear him to-morrow. The next day therefore, Agrippa and Bernice coming with much pomp, and entering into the court, together with the chief officers, and men of greatest eminence in the city, at the command of Festus Paul was brought in. And Festus said, "King Agrippa and all that are here present with us, ye see this man, concerning whom all the Jews have applied to me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out, that he ought not to live. But when I found that he had done nothing worthy of death, and as he himself has appealed to the emperor, I have determined to send him. Concerning whom I have nothing certain to write to our sovereign: wherefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before thee, O king Agrippa, that after examination is made I may have somewhat to write.

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretching forth his hand, thus made his defence,

For the king knoweth of these things, to whom also I speak with freedom; because I am persuaded that none of them are unknown to him; for this was not done in a corner. O king Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest them. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou almost persuadest me to be a Christian.read more.
And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. And when he had said this, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and those that sat with them. And when they were retired, they spake to each other, saying, this man hath done nothing worthy of death or of bonds. And Agrippa said to Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Cesar.

but when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in the room of Herod his father, he was afraid to go thither; however being warned of God in a dream, he retired into the district of Galilee.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came certain wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is the king of the Jews that is born here? for we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship Him. And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him:read more.
and having summoned together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he enquired of them where the Messiah was to be born: and they told him, at Bethlehem in Judea; for thus it is written by the prophet, "And thou Bethlehem in the land of Juda art not the meanest among the cities of the princes of Juda; for out of thee shall come forth a ruler, that shall feed my people Israel." Then Herod called the wise men to him privately, and inquired of them exactly the time of the star's appearing: and sending them to Bethlehem, he said, Go and make diligent search for the child, and when ye have found Him, let me know, that I also may come and worship Him.

Then Herod, when he saw that he was baffled by the wise-men, was very much enraged; and he sent and slew all the male-children in Bethlehem, and in all its borders, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly inquired of the wise-men.

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

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the fame of Jesus, and said to his servants, This is John the baptist, he is certainly risen from the dead, and therefore miraculous things are done by him: for Herod had apprehended John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife;read more.
for John said to Him, It is not lawful for thee to have her: and he would have put him to death, but that he was afraid of the people; for they esteemed him as a prophet. But when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod, so that he promised her with an oath to give her whatever she would ask: and she, being before instructed by her mother, said, Give me here in a dish the head of John the baptist: at which the king was distressed, but because of his oath, and of those who sat at table with him, he ordered it to be given her; and he sent and beheaded John in the prison,

And king Herod heard of Him, (for his name was spread abroad,) and he said, John the baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore miraculous powers appear in him. Others said, it is Elias: and others said, it is a prophet, or like one of the prophets. But when Herod heard of Him, he said, it is John whom I beheaded, he is risen from the dead.read more.
For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her: For John had said to Herod, it is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. Wherefore Herodias persecuted him, and would have taken away his life: but could not; for Herod revered John, knowing him to be a just and holy man, and protected him: and when he heard him he did many things according to John's instructions, and heard him willingly. But a convenient day happening, when Herod on his birth-night gave a supper to his lords, and chief officers, and persons of distinction in Galilee; and the daughter of Herodias coming in, and dancing, and having pleased Herod and his guests, the king said to the young princess, Ask of me whatever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And he gave her his oath too, whatever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, even to the half of my kingdom. And she withdrew and consulted her mother, what to ask: and she said, The head of John the baptist. And immediately she came in again with eagerness to the king, and said, I desire that thou wouldst give me directly the head of John the baptist in a dish. And the king was exceedingly grieved, but on account of his oath, and those who were at table with him, he would not refuse her: but immediately sent one of his guard, and ordered his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a dish, and gave it to the damsel, and the damsel carried it to her mother.

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis,

But Herod the tetrarch being reproved by him on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, and for all the wicked things which Herod did,

Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all the things that were done by Him; and was perplexed, because it was said by some that John was risen from the dead; and by some that Elias had appeared; and by others, that one of the ancient prophets was risen again. And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? and he wanted to see Him.

and understanding that He was of Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also at Jerusalem at that time. And Herod, when he saw Jesus, was very glad; for he had of a long time been desirous to see Him, because he had heard much of Him, and he hoped to see some miracle wrought by Him. And he asked Him many questions; but He answered him nothing:read more.
though the chief priests and scribes stood vehemently accusing Him. But Herod with his soldiers set Him at nought and insulted Him, and put on Him a gaudy robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. And on that same day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other: for before they were at enmity one with the other.

For of a truth both Herod and Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles and the people of Israel, combined against thy holy child Jesus,

nor Herod neither; for I sent you to him, and behold nothing worthy of death is proved upon Him.

About that time Herod the king exerted his power to distress some of the church. And he cut off James, the brother of John, with the sword. And seeing that it was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to apprehend Peter also, (in the days of unleavened bread:)

And Herod searching for him, and not finding him, brought the keepers to a trial, and ordered them to be executed. Then he went down from Judea to Cesarea, and abode there. And Herod was going to make war upon the Tyrians and Sidonians: but they came to him with one consent, and making interest with Blastus the king's chamberlain, they sued for peace; because their territory was supplied with provision by the king's country. And upon a set day, Herod arrayed in his royal robes, and sitting upon his throne, made an oration to them.read more.
And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man: but immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and being devoured by worms he died.

(this tax was first levied when Cyrenius was governor of Syria) and they all went to be enrolled,