Study together · The Cast

Herod the Great

The king of Judea when Jesus was born, who was troubled by news of a newborn king and tried to kill him.

The story

1. King of Judea Luke 1:5

   Ruling when Zechariah served in the temple.

2. Troubled Matt 2:1-3

   Wise men ask for the newborn king.

3. A secret plan Matt 2:7-8

   That I too may come and worship him.

4. Tricked Matt 2:12, 16

   The wise men go home another way.

5. Bethlehem's boys Matt 2:16-18

   Rachel weeping for her children.

6. Herod is dead Matt 2:19-20

   The child comes home.

Key verses

“When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;” Matthew 2:3 (ESV)

Read together: Luke 1:5 · Matt 2:1-3 · Matt 2:7-8 · Matt 2:12, 16 · Matt 2:16-18 · Matt 2:19-20

Questions to sit with

1. What do you protect so tightly that Jesus feels like a threat to it?
2. The wise men went home another way. What would going another way look like for you?

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible, © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission.