Ἡρωδιανοί

From the study of Matthew 22:16

Range of meaning

A Latin-style party name (compare 'Caesariani' or 'Pompeiani' for a great man's partisans) meaning 'Herod's people': supporters of the Herodian dynasty and its rule under Rome. They were probably not a formal sect with fixed doctrines but a network of officials, landowners and sympathizers loyal to Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, and to the family's ambitions.

Against the English

Every English version simply transliterates it as 'Herodians', which is accurate but tells the modern reader nothing. The point is political: these men had a stake in keeping Roman arrangements in place, taxes included.

Used elsewhere in the period

The term appears only in the Gospels (Mark 3:6; 12:13; Matt 22:16). Josephus uses close equivalents for partisans of Herod the Great: 'those who favored Herod's side' (Antiquities 14.450) and 'the Herodeioi' (Jewish War 1.319). Some later church writers (e.g. Epiphanius, Panarion 20) claimed the Herodians treated Herod as a messiah. Scholars generally regard that as a late guess.

From the study of Mark 12:13

Range of meaning

"Those belonging to Herod": partisans, supporters or associates of the Herod family. The ending works like the Latin -iani, marking people attached to a person, as in Caesariani (Caesar's people) and Christiani (Christ's people, Acts 11:26).

Against the English

Most versions simply transliterate it as "Herodians", which sounds like a formal religious party. NLT's "supporters of Herod" is clearer, though it settles a question that remains somewhat open.

Used elsewhere in the period

The term appears only in Mark 3:6, Mark 12:13 and Matthew 22:16. Josephus has a similar label for backers of Herod the Great a couple of generations earlier: "the Herodeans" (War 1.319) and those who favored Herod's side (Antiquities 14.450). It is not found as the name of a defined sect in any source from the period.

From the study of Mark 3:6

Range of meaning

'Herodians', meaning those who belong to, support, or serve the Herod family. The ending -ianoi copies a Latin way of naming partisans (compare Caesariani, 'Caesar's party', and Christianoi, 'Christ's people', Acts 11:26). The word does not name a religious sect. It names an orientation of loyalty, probably officials, courtiers, or influential supporters of Herod Antipas, the client ruler of Galilee and Perea (4 BCE–39 CE).

Against the English

Most versions keep 'Herodians'. NLT explains it as 'supporters of Herod', which is helpful and probably right, though it narrows a term whose exact reference is uncertain.

Used elsewhere in the period

The word appears in the New Testament only in Mark 3:6; 12:13 and Matthew 22:16. Josephus speaks of Herod the Great's partisans with similar phrases, such as 'those who favoured Herod's cause' (Antiquities 14.450). Older proposals that they were a religious party, for example equated with the Boethusians or with people who saw Herod as messiah, have little support.