In Jesus’ day, any death sentence had to be approved by the Roman official in charge of the administrative district. Pontius Pilate was governor of the province of Judea, where Jerusalem was located.  When the Jewish leaders had Jesus in their power and wanted to kill him, they had to obtain Pilate’s permission.  So it happened that early one morning Pilate found a crowd at his door demanding a man’s death.

Pilate’s relationship with the Jews had always been stormy. His Roman toughness and fairness had been weakened by cynicism, compromises, and mistakes.  On several occasions his actions had deeply offended the religious leaders.  The resulting riots and chaos must have made Pilate wonder what he had got himself into.  He was trying to control people who treated their Roman conquerors without respect.  Jesus’ trial was another episode in Pilate’s ongoing problems.

For Pilate, there was never a doubt about Jesus’ innocence. Three separate times he declared Jesus not guilty.  He couldn’t understand what made people want to kill Jesus, but his fear of the pressure the Jews would place on him made him decide to allow Jesus’ crucifixion.  Because of the people’s threat to inform the emperor that Pilate hadn’t eliminated a rebel against Rome, Pilate went against what he knew was right.  In desperation, he chose to do wrong.

We share a common humanity with Pilate. At times we know the right and choose the wrong.  He had his moment in history and now we have ours.  What have we done with our opportunities and responsibilities?  What judgment have we passed on Jesus?

Strength and accomplishment:

• Roman governor of Judea

Weaknesses and mistakes:

• He failed in his attempt to rule a people who were defeated militarily but never dominated by Rome
• His constant political struggles made him a cynical and uncaring compromiser, susceptible to pressure
• Although he realised Jesus was innocent, he bowed to the public demand for his execution

Lessons from his life:

• Great evil can happen when truth is at the mercy of political pressures
• Resisting the truth leaves a person without purpose or direction

Vital statistics:

• Where: Judea
• Occupation: Roman governor of Judea
• Relative: Wife: unnamed
• Contemporaries: Jesus, Caiaphas, Herod

Key verses:   “ ‘What is truth?’ Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, ‘I find no basis for a charge against him.  But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover.  Do you want me to release “the king of the Jews”?’ “ (John 18.38, 39).

Pilate’s story is told in the Gospels. He is also mentioned in Acts 3.13; 4.27; 13.28.

Jesus’ last words to his followers were a command to take the gospel everywhere, but they seemed reluctant to leave Jerusalem. It took intense persecution to scatter the believers from Jerusalem and into Judea and Samaria, where Jesus had instructed them to go.  Philip, one of the deacons in charge of food distribution, left Jerusalem and, like most Jewish Christians, spread the gospel wherever he went; but unlike most of them, he did not limit his audience to other Jews.  He went directly to Samaria, the last place many Jews would go, due to age-old prejudice.

The Samaritans responded in large numbers. When word got back to Jerusalem, Peter and John were sent to evaluate Philip’s ministry.  They quickly became involved themselves, seeing firsthand God’s acceptance of those who previously were considered unacceptable.

In the middle of all this success and excitement, God [Wall] directed Philip out to the desert for an appointment with an Ethiopian eunuch, another foreigner, who had been in Jerusalem. Philip went immediately.  His effectiveness in sharing the gospel with this man placed a Christian in a significant position in a distant country, and may well have had an effect on an entire nation.

Philip ended up in Caesarea, where events allowed him to be Paul’s host many years later. Paul, who as the leading persecutor of the Christians had been instrumental in pushing Philip and others out of Jerusalem, had himself become an effective believer.  The conversion of the Gentiles begun by Philip was continued across the entire Roman empire by Paul.

Whether or not you are a follower of Christ, Philip’s life presents a challenge. To those still outside the gospel, he is a reminder that the gospel is for you also.  To those who have accepted Christ, he is a reminder that we are not free to disqualify anyone from hearing about Jesus.  How much like Philip would your neighbours say you are?

Strengths and accomplishments:

• One of the seven organisers of food distribution in the early church
• Became an evangelist, one of the first travelling missionaries
• One of the first to obey Jesus’ command to take the gospel to all people
• A careful student of the Bible who could explain its meaning clearly

Lessons from his life:

• God [Wall] finds great and various uses for those willing to obey wholeheartedly
• The gospel is universal good news
• The whole Bible, not just the New Testament, helps us understand more about Jesus
• Both mass response (the Samaritans) and individual response (the man from Ethiopia) to the gospel are valuable

Vital statistics:

• Occupations: Deacon, evangelist
• Relatives: Four daughters
• Contemporaries: Paul, Stephen, the apostles

Key verse:   “Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus” (Acts 8.35).

Philip’s story is told in Acts 6.1-7; 8.5-40; 21.8-10.

Jesus’ first words to Simon Peter were “Come, follow me” (Mark 1.17). His last words to him were “You must follow me” (John 21.22).  Every step of the way between those two challenges, Peter never failed to follow – even though he often stumbled.

When Jesus entered Peter’s life, this plain fisherman became a new person with new goals and new priorities. He did not become a perfect person, however, and he never stopped being Simon Peter.  We may wonder what Jesus saw in Simon that made him greet this potential disciple with a new name.  Peter – the “rock”.  Impulsive Peter certainly didn’t act like a rock much of the time.  But when Jesus chose his followers, he wasn’t looking for models; he was looking for real people.  He chose people who could be changed by his love, and then he sent them out to communicate that his acceptance was available to anyone – even to those who often fail.

We may wonder what Jesus sees in us when he calls us to follow him. But we know Jesus accepted Peter, and, in spite of his failures, Peter went on to do great things for God [Wall].  Are you willing to keep following Jesus, even when you fail?

Strengths and accomplishments:

• Became the recognised leader among Jesus’ disciples – one of the inner group of three
• Was the first great voice of the gospel during and after Pentecost
• Probably knew Mark and gave him information for the Gospel of Mark
• Wrote 1 and 2 Peter

Weaknesses and mistakes:

• Often spoke without thinking, was brash and impulsive
• During Jesus’ trial, denied three times that he even knew Jesus
• Later found it hard to treat Gentile Christians as equals

Lessons from his life:

• Enthusiasm has to be backed up by faith and understanding, or it fails
• God’s faithfulness can compensate for our greatest unfaithfulness
• It is better to be a follower who fails than one who fails to follow

Vital statistics:

• Occupations: Fisherman, disciple
• Relatives: Father: John. Brother: Andrew
• Contemporaries: Jesus, Pilate, Herod

Key verse: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16.18).

Peter’s story is told in the Gospels and the book of Acts. He is mentioned in Galatians 1.18 and 2.7-14; and he wrote the books of 1 and 2 Peter.

No person, apart from Jesus himself, shaped the history of Christianity like the apostle Paul. Even before he was a believer, his actions were significant.  His frenzied persecution of Christians following Stephen’s death got the church started in obeying Christ’s final command to take the gospel worldwide.  Paul’s personal encounter with Jesus changed his life.  He never lost his fierce intensity, but from then on it was channelled for the gospel.

Paul was very religious. His training under Gamaliel was the finest available.  His intentions and efforts were sincere.  He was a good Pharisee, who knew the Bible and sincerely believed that this Christian movement was dangerous to Judaism.  Thus Paul hated the Christian faith and persecuted Christians without mercy.

Paul got permission to travel to Damascus to capture Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem. But God [Wall] stopped him in his hurried tracks on the Damascus road.  Paul personally met Jesus Christ, and his life was never again the same.

Until Paul’s conversion, little had been done about carrying the gospel to non-Jews. Philip had preached in Samaria and to an Ethiopian man; Cornelius, a Gentile, was converted under Peter; and in Antioch in Syria, some Greeks had joined the believers.  When Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem to check on this situation, he went to Tarsus to find and bring him to Antioch, and together they worked among the believers there.  They were then sent on a  missionary journey, the first of three Paul would take, that would carry the gospel across the Roman empire.

The thorny issue of whether Gentile believers had obey Jesus laws before they could become Christians caused many problems in the early church. Paul worked hard to convince the Jews that Gentiles were acceptable to God [Wall], but he spent even more time convincing the Gentiles that they were acceptable to God.  The lives Paul touched were changed and challenged by meeting Christ through him.

God [Wall] did not waste any part of Paul – his background, his training, his citizenship, his mind, or even his weaknesses. Are you willing to let God [Wall] do the same for you?  You will never know all he can do with you until you allow him to have all that you are!

Strengths and accomplishments:

• Transformed by God [Wall] from a persecutor of Christians to a preacher for Christ
• Preached for Christ throughout the Roman empire on three missionary journeys
• Wrote letters to various churches, which became part of the New Testament
• Was never afraid to face an issue head-on and deal with it
• Was sensitive to God’s leading and, despite his strong personality, always did as God [Wall] directed
• Is often called the apostle to the Gentiles

Weaknesses and mistakes:

• Witnessed and approved of Stephen’s stoning
• Set out to destroy Christianity by persecuting Christians

Lessons from his life:

• The good news is that forgiveness and eternal life are a gift of God’s grace received through faith in Christ and available to all people
• Obedience results from a relationship with God [Wall], but obedience will never create or earn that relationship
• Real freedom doesn’t come until we no longer have to prove our freedom
• God [Wall] does not waste our time – – he will use our past and present so we may serve him with our future

Vital statistics:

• Where: Born in Tarsus, but became a world traveller for Christ
• Occupations: Trained as a Pharisee, learned the tentmaking trade, served as a missionary
• Contemporaries: Gamaliel, Stephen, the apostles, Luke, Barnabas, Timothy

Key verses: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me.  Yet what shall I choose?  I do not know!  I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” (Philippians 1.21-24).

Paul’s story is told in Acts 7.58-28.31 and throughout his New Testament letters.

The past is an important part of today’s actions and tomorrow’s plans. The people and kings of Judah had a rich past, filled with God’s action, guidance, and commands.  But with each passing generation, they also had a growing list of tragedies that occurred when the people forgot that their God, who had cared for them in the past, also cared about the present and the future – and demanded their continued obedience.  Hezekiah was one of the few kings of Judah who was constantly aware of God’s acts in the past and his interest in the events of every day.  The Bible describes him as a king who had a close relationship with God.

As a reformer, Hezekiah was most concerned with present obedience. Judah was filled with visual reminders of the people’s lack of trust in God, and Hezekiah boldly began clearing up.  Altars, idols, and pagan temples were destroyed.  Even the bronze snake Moses had made in the desert was not spared because it had ceased to point the people to God and had also become an idol.  The temple in Jerusalem, whose doors had been nailed shut by Hezekiah’s own father, was cleaned out and reopened.  The Passover was reinstituted as a national holiday, and there was revival in Judah.

Although he had a natural inclination to respond to present problems, Hezekiah’s life shows little evidence of concern about the future. He took few actions to preserve the effects of his sweeping reforms.  His successful efforts made him proud.  His unwise display of wealth to the Babylonian delegation caused Judah to be included on Babylon’s “Nations to Conquer” list.  When Isaiah informed Hezekiah of the foolishness of his act, the king’s answer displayed his persistent lack of foresight – he was thankful that any evil consequences would be delayed until after he died.  And the lives of three kings who followed him – Manasseh, Amon, and Josiah – were deeply affected by both Hezekiah’s accomplishments and his weaknesses.

The past affects your decisions and actions today, and these, in turn, affect the future. There are lessons to learn and errors to avoid repeating.  Remember that part of the success of your past will be measured by what you do with it now and how well you use it to prepare for the future.

Strengths and accomplishments:

• Was the king of Judah who instigated civil and religious reforms
• Had a personal, growing relationship with God
• Developed a powerful prayer life
• Noted as the author of several chapters in the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 25.1)

Weaknesses and mistakes:

• Showed little interest or wisdom in planning for the future and protecting for others the spiritual heritage he enjoyed
• Rashly showed all his wealth to messengers from Babylon

Lessons from his life:

• Sweeping reforms are short-lived when little action is taken to preserve them for the future
• Past obedience to God does not remove the possibility of present disobedience
• Complete dependence on God yields amazing results

Vital statistics:

• Where: Jerusalem
• Occupation: 13th king of Judah, the southern kingdom
• Relatives: Father: Ahaz. Mother: Abijah.  Son: Manasseh
• Contemporaries: Isaiah, Hoshea, Micah, Sennacherib

Key verses: “Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel.  There was no-one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.  He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses”  (2 Kings 18.5, 6).

Hezekiah’s story is told in 2 Kings 16.20-20.21; 2 Chronicles 28.27-32.33; Isaiah 36.1-39.8. He is also mentioned in Proverbs 25.1; Isaiah 1.1; Jeremiah 15.4; 26.18, 19; Hosea 1.1; Micah 1.1.

The Bible records history. It has proved itself an accurate and reliable record of people, events, and places.  Independent historical accounts verify the Bible’s descriptions and details of many famous lives.  One of these was the father of the Herodian family, Herod the Great.

Herod is remembered as a builder of cities and the lavish rebuilder of the temple in Jerusalem. But he also destroyed people.  He showed little greatness in either his personal actions or his character.  He was ruthless in ruling his territory.  His suspicions and jealousy led to the murder of several of his children and the death of his wife Mariamne.

Herod’s title, king of the Jews, was granted by Rome but never accepted by the Jewish people. He was not part of the Davidic family line, and he was only partly Jewish.  Although Israel benefited from Herod’s lavish efforts to repair the temple in Jerusalem, he won little admiration because he also rebuilt various pagan temples.  Herod’s costly attempt to gain the loyalty of the people failed because it was superficial.  His only loyalty was to himself.

Because his royal title was not genuine, Herod was constantly worried about losing his position. His actions when hearing from the Magi about their search for the new king are consistent with all that we know about Herod.  He planned to locate and kill the child before he could become a threat.  The murder of innocent children that followed is a tragic lesson in what can happen when actions are motivated by selfishness.  Herod’s suspicions did not spare even his own family.  His life was self-destructive.

Strengths and accomplishments:

• Was given the title of king of the Jews by the Romans
• Held on to his power for more than 30 years
• Was an effective, though ruthless, ruler
• Sponsored a great variety of large building projects

Weaknesses and mistakes:

• Tended to treat those around him with fear, suspicion, and jealousy
• Had several of his own children and at least one wife killed
• Ordered the killing of the infants in Bethlehem
• Although claiming to be a God-worshipper, he was still involved in many forms of pagan religion

Lessons from his life:

• Great power brings neither peace nor security
• No-one can prevent God’s plans from being carried out
• Superficial loyalty does not impress people or God

Vital statistics:

• Occupation: King of Judea from 37 to 4 B.C.
• Relatives: Father: Antipater. Sons: Archelaus, Antipater, Antipas, Philip, and others.  Wives: Doris, Mariamne, and others
• Contemporaries: Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, Mark Antony, Augustus

Notes about Herod the Great are found in Matthew 2.1-22 and Luke 1.5.

Most people dislike having their sins pointed out, especially in public. The shame of being exposed is often stronger than the guilt brought on by the wrongdoing.  Herod Antipas was a man experiencing both guilt and shame.

Herod’s ruthless ambition was public knowledge, as was his illegal marriage to his brother’s wife, Herodias. One man made Herod’s sin a public issue.  That man was John the Baptist.  John had been preaching in the desert, and thousands flocked to hear him.  Apparently it was no secret that John had rebuked Herod for his adulterous marriage.  Herodias was particularly anxious to have John silenced.  As a solution, Herod imprisoned John.

Herod liked John. John was probably one of the few people he met who spoke only the truth to him.  But the truth about his sin was a bitter pill to swallow, and Herod wavered at the point of conflict: he couldn’t afford to have John constantly reminding the people of their leader’s sinfulness, but he was afraid to have John killed.  He put off the choice.  Eventually Herodias forced his hand, and John was executed.  Of course, this only served to increase Herod’s guilt.

Upon hearing about Jesus, Herod immediately identified him with John. He couldn’t decide what to do about Jesus.  He didn’t want to repeat the mistake he had made with John, so he tried to threaten Jesus just before Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem.  When the two met briefly during Jesus’ trial, Jesus would not speak to Herod.  Herod had proved himself a poor listener to John, and Jesus had nothing to add to John’s words.  Herod responded with spite and mocking.  Having rejected the messenger, he found it easy to reject the Messiah.

For each person, God chooses the best possible ways to reveal himself. He uses his word, various circumstances, our minds, or other people to get our attention.  He is persuasive and persistent, but never forces himself on us.  To miss or resist God’s message, as did Herod, is tragedy.  How aware are you of God’s attempts to enter your life?  Have you welcomed him?

Strengths and accomplishments:

• Built the city of Tiberias and oversaw other architectural projects
• Rules the region of Galilee for the Romans

Weaknesses and mistakes:

• Consumed with his quest for power
• Put off decisions or made wrong ones under pressure
• Divorced his wife to marry the wife of his half brother, Philip
• Imprisoned John the Baptist and later ordered his execution
• Had a minor part in the execution of Jesus

Lessons from his life:

• A life motivated by ambition is usually characterised by self-destruction
• Opportunities to do good usually come to us in the form of choices to be made

Vital statistics:

• Where: Jerusalem
• Occupation: Roman tetrarch of the region of Galilee and Perea
• Relatives: Father: Herod the Great. Mother: Malthace.  First wife: daughter of Aretas IV.  Second wife: Herodias
• Contemporaries: John the Baptist, Jesus, Pilate

Key verse: “When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him” (Mark 6.20).

Herod Antipas’ story is told in the Gospels. He is also mentioned in Acts 4.27; 13.1.

Like great-grandfather, like grandfather, like father, like son – this tells the story of Herod Agrippa II. He inherited the effects of generations of powerful men with flawed personalities.  Each son followed his father in weaknesses, mistakes, and missed opportunities.  Each generation had a confrontation with God, but each failed to realise the importance of the decision.  Herod Agrippa’s great-uncle, Herod Antipas, actually met Jesus during his trial, but failed to see Jesus for who he was.  Agrippa II heard the gospel from Paul, but considered the message mild entertainment.  He found it humorous that Paul actually tried to convince him to become a Christian.

Like so many before and after, Agrippa II stopped within hearing distance of the kingdom of God. He left himself without excuse.  He heard the gospel but decided it wasn’t worth responding to personally.  Unfortunately, his mistake isn’t uncommon.  Many who read this story will also not believe.  Their problem, like his, is not really that the gospel isn’t convincing or that they don’t need to know God personally; it is that they choose not to respond.

What has been your response to the gospel? Has it turned your life around and given you the hope of eternal life, or has it been a message to resist or reject?  Perhaps it has just been entertainment.  It may seem like too great a price to give God control of your life, but it is an even greater price by far to live eternally apart from him because you have chosen not to be his child.

Strengths and accomplishments:

• Last of the Herod dynasty that ruled parts of Palestine from 40 B.C. to A.D. 100
• Continued his father’s success in mediating between Rome and Palestine
• Continued the family tradition of building and improving cities

Weaknesses and mistakes:

• Was not convinced by the gospel and consciously rejected it
• Carried on an incestuous relationship with his sister Bernice

Lessons from his life:

• Families pass on both positive and negative influences to children
• There are no guarantees of multiple opportunities to respond to God

Vital statistics:

• Occupation: Ruler of northern and eastern Palestine
• Relatives: Great-grandfather: Herod the Great. Father: Herod Agrippa I.  Great-uncle: Herod Antipas.  Sister: Bernice, Drusilla
• Contemporaries: Paul, Felix, Festus, Peter, Luke

Key verse: “Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?’ “  (Acts 26.28).

Herod Agrippa II’s story is told in Acts 25.13 – 26.32.

Like great-grandfather, like grandfather, like father, like son – this tells the story of Herod Agrippa II. He inherited the effects of generations of powerful men with flawed personalities.  Each son followed his father in weaknesses, mistakes, and missed opportunities.  Each generation had a confrontation with God, but each failed to realise the importance of the decision.  Herod Agrippa’s great-uncle, Herod Antipas, actually met Jesus during his trial, but failed to see Jesus for who he was.  Agrippa II heard the gospel from Paul, but considered the message mild entertainment.  He found it humorous that Paul actually tried to convince him to become a Christian.

Like so many before and after, Agrippa II stopped within hearing distance of the kingdom of God. He left himself without excuse.  He heard the gospel but decided it wasn’t worth responding to personally.  Unfortunately, his mistake isn’t uncommon.  Many who read this story will also not believe.  Their problem, like his, is not really that the gospel isn’t convincing or that they don’t need to know God personally; it is that they choose not to respond.

What has been your response to the gospel? Has it turned your life around and given you the hope of eternal life, or has it been a message to resist or reject?  Perhaps it has just been entertainment.  It may seem like too great a price to give God control of your life, but it is an even greater price by far to live eternally apart from him because you have chosen not to be his child.

Strengths and accomplishments:

• Last of the Herod dynasty that ruled parts of Palestine from 40 B.C. to A.D. 100
• Continued his father’s success in mediating between Rome and Palestine
• Continued the family tradition of building and improving cities

Weaknesses and mistakes:

• Was not convinced by the gospel and consciously rejected it
• Carried on an incestuous relationship with his sister Bernice

Lessons from his life:

• Families pass on both positive and negative influences to children
• There are no guarantees of multiple opportunities to respond to God

Vital statistics:

• Occupation: Ruler of northern and eastern Palestine
• Relatives: Great-grandfather: Herod the Great. Father: Herod Agrippa I.  Great-uncle: Herod Antipas.  Sister: Bernice, Drusilla
• Contemporaries: Paul, Felix, Festus, Peter, Luke

Key verse: “Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?’ “ (Acts 26.28).

Herod Agrippa II’s story is told in Acts 25.13 – 26.32.

For good or evil, families have lasting and powerful influence on their children. Traits and qualities are passed on to the next generation, and often the mistakes and sins of the parents are repeated by the children.  Four generations of the Herod family are mentioned in the Bible.  Each leader left his evil mark: Herod the Great murdered Bethlehem’s children; Herod Antipas was involved in Jesus’ trial and John the Baptist’s execution; Herod Agrippa I murdered the apostle James; and Herod Agrippa II was one of Paul’s judges.

Herod Agrippa I related fairly well to his Jewish subjects. Because he had a Jewish grandmother of royal blood (Mariamne), he was grudgingly accepted by the people.  Although as a youth he had been temporarily imprisoned by the emperor Tiberias, he was now trusted by Rome and got on well with the emperors Caligula and Claudius.

An unexpected opportunity for Herod to gain new favour with the Jews was created by the Christian movement. Gentiles began to be accepted into the church in large numbers.  Many Jews had been tolerating this new movement as a sect within Judaism, but its rapid growth alarmed them.  Persecution of Christians was revived, and even the apostles were not spared.  James was killed, and Peter was thrown into prison.

But soon, Herod made a fatal error. During a visit to Caesarea, the people called him a god, and he accepted their praise.  Herod was immediately struck with a painful disease, and he died within a week.

Like his grandfather, uncle, and son after him, Herod Agrippa I came close to the truth but missed it.  Because religion was important only as an aspect of politics, he had no reverence and no qualms about taking praise that only God should receive.  His mistake is a common one.  Whenever we are proud of our own abilities and accomplishments, not recognising them as gifts from God, we repeat Herod’s sin.

Strengths and accomplishments:

• Capable administrator and negotiator
• Managed to maintain good relations with the Jews in his region and with Rome

Weaknesses and mistakes:

• Arranged the murder of the apostle James
• Imprisoned Peter with plans to execute him
• Allowed the people to praise him as a god

Lessons from his life:

• Those who set themselves against God are doomed to ultimate failure
• There is greater danger in accepting praise that only God deserves
• Family traits can influence children towards great good or great evil

Vital statistics:

• Where: Jerusalem
• Occupation: Roman-appointed king of the Jews
• Relatives: Grandfather: Herod the Great. Father: Aristobulus.  Uncle: Herod Antipas.  Sister: Herodias.  Wife: Cypros.  Son: Herod Agrippa II.  Daughters: Bernice, Mariamne, Drusilla
• Contemporaries: Emperors Tiberias, Caligula, and Claudius. James, Peter, the apostles.

Key verse: “Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died”  (Acts 12.23).

Herod Agrippa I’s story is told in Acts 12.1-23.