Most of the stories in the text are reconstructions from Herod's perspective based on content from Josephus' Antiquities of the Jews. For this reason, the narratives in the text are from Herod the Great's highly personal point of view. It's worth keeping in mind that these are closer to subjective truths rather than objective facts.
Herod appears briefly in the Bible, but his dynasty influences the entire New Testament. Herod the Great, who ordered the massacre of infants; Herod Antipas and Herodias, who were responsible for the death of John the Baptist. This Herod Antipas later briefly interrogated Jesus. Also, Herod Agrippa I, son of Aristobulus and brother of Herodias, killed the apostle James, and his son Herod Agrippa II heard the apostle Paul's defense. During Agrippa II's time, there was a major Jewish revolt, after which the Jewish kingdom fell to Rome, and Jews were barred from even approaching Jerusalem where the temple stood. A temple to Zeus was built on the site of God's temple, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy about Jerusalem and the temple.
When we read the Bible, we tend to gloss over these historical events, but they are important. Understanding history helps us better comprehend how Jesus’ words were received by the people of that time, and why the disciples and others reacted as they did. After all, who exists in isolation, without a temporal and social context? The Bible is not disconnected from history. The characters in the Bible were real people who lived in history. To understand their hearts, we must know their era. And if we understand this, we might gain more insight into what God intends to do through this age and through you who are reading this text.
Returning to the story of King Herod, let us examine him as an individual. Herod the Great, who ordered the killing of infants, is too complex a person to be simply dismissed as a villain. An Idumean integrated into Jewish society, he entered history as the governor of Galilee during the decline of the Hasmonean dynasty under Roman rule. He suddenly became king of Judea due to Antigonus' rebellion, though Antiquities of the Jews records that he had no intention of becoming king at that time. Nevertheless, his family's track record likely influenced Rome's choice of him as king. His family had supported Rome’s wars materially and personally since his father’s time, consistently fighting and defeating Rome’s enemies. From Rome's perspective, there was no better ruler for a client state.
After suppressing the rebellion, he officially ascended to the throne and ruled Judea, overcoming severe famine and disasters like earthquakes, and winning several battles with neighboring countries. He also managed relations with Rome well, personally leading troops to assist whenever rulers went on expeditions, and building personal relationships by giving enormous gifts at opportune times. He became an important partner to Antony and Octavian (later Emperor Augustus), members of the Second Triumvirate, and a close friend of Agrippa, who was close to Octavian. Through these connections, he strengthened the Jewish kingdom and greatly aided not only diaspora Jews but also many cities with poor relations with Rome. As a result, many people expressed gratitude to him. His achievements also included major construction and expansion projects in various regions, such as the Jerusalem Temple and the Masada fortress, the site of the Jews' final stand.
Thus, while he was a hero of his time in one sense, he was also an ordinary man yearning for one woman's love. The person he loved most was Mariamne I, a princess of the Hasmonean dynasty. He even divorced his first wife Doris to marry her, but their relationship ultimately ended in catastrophe. Antiquities of the Jews vividly portrays the complex emotions of hatred and love from this time. Afterwards, he continued to have tumultuous times due to family issues, and just before his death, he seemed to have a mental breakdown. He ordered that when he died, even the influential Jews should be killed along with him.
Thus, he was not inherently evil but became increasingly troubled over the course of his life. Perhaps he was just someone who strove all his life to be loved and recognized. After all, his achievements benefited not only himself but also others. However, he didn't receive the love and recognition he desired from his family and the Jews. His family crumbled amidst fierce infighting, and the Jews cried out for the law and righteousness, pointing out Herod's faults.
If it had been David, he would have sought a breakthrough from God; however, Herod relied on Rome and the world instead of God. This is where two people with similar life stories show a decisive difference: a man of God and a man of the world. One enjoyed the grace of becoming an ancestor of the Messiah, while the other was used in the evil role of trying to kill the Messiah. Even though both were used by God, you probably don't need an explanation of why God used each person as He did.
