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connections with the throne, would be in a position to bring about the death of the Lord
Jesus Christ.
These references serve to show that the Herodians, although perhaps a small party,
were powerful indeed, and their attachment to the throne of Herod made them useful
allies to the Pharisees, although they were normally separated the one from the other by
the beliefs which they held. It is important to note how the Devil can draw opposing
factions together when it suits his purpose.
It has already been suggested that the Herodians were a branch of the Sadducees. This
seems probable from comparing two passages of Scripture together.
"Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and
of the Sadducees" (Matt. 16: 6).
"And He charged them saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and
of the leaven of Herod" (mark 8: 15).
The contexts appear to be identical, but in one case speak of the leaven of the
Sadducees, in another, that of Herod. Was the leaven of Herod spread through that part
of the Sadducean party known as the Herodians?
Another passage which may bear upon this subject is Luke 23: 1-7. The scene is
the trial of the Lord before Pilate, who proclaims, "I find no fault in this man" (verse 4).
But this does not satisfy the chief priests and the people, and they become more insistent,
saying, "He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee
to this place" (verse 5). Galilee!--Was the mention of it accidental, or in the heat of the
moment, or was there some cunning in drawing attention at this time to the fact that
Christ was a Galilean? Note the effect upon Pilate, although he had already pronounced
the Lord innocent.
"And as soon as he knew that He belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to
Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time" (verse 7).
If Herod could be convinced that here was one who represented a challenge to his
position as Tetrarch of Galilee, then the chief priests would have won the day. But Herod
took this challenge lightly, and having mockingly dressed Him as a king, sent Him back
again to Pilate (verse 11). This incident, however, served to draw Pilate and Herod
together as friends, for they had previously been enemies, apparently over some dispute
about jurisdiction.
The desire of the Herodians to strengthen the family of Herod by keeping it on good
terms with Roman imperialism, was a fact made use of on more than one occasion by the
Pharisees, who sought the downfall of the Lord. That the Pharisees had any dealings at
all with men whom they must have considered despicable, is a measure of the hatred
which they had toward the Lord.