With his death, the Herodian dynasty ended, and he was the last of the Herods in the Bible. Now Paul stood before the next in line of the Herods, Herod Agrippa. Felix was the Roman governor charged with ruling what to do with Paul. Therefore, he was uncertain how to respond to those questions relating to the death and resurrection of Christ. The history of Bernice, or Berenice (the name seems to have been a Macedonian form of Pherenice), reads like a horrible romance, or a page from the chronicles of the Borgias. Macurdy was and remains the foremost historian on Helenistic and Roman royal Perhaps they could find something since it seemed unreasonable to send a prisoner to Caesar without any specific charges against him. Archaeology finds the name of Agrippa and Bernice One of the apostle Paul's most eloquent presentations of the Gospel, along with his own personal testimony, occurs when he has an audience before King Agrippa and his sister Bernice. Herod Antipas, his unlawful wife and niece Herodias, and his step-daughter and niece Salome were all involved in the murder of John the Baptist; three siblings KIng Herod Agrippa !! 33 (1984): 1213. It wasn't a terribly important dominion over which he governed. was used interchangeably with the position - "Caesar" Herod Agrippa, the second. How did Agrippa and Bernice enter the auditorium? Paul has been, as you recall, in prison in Caesarea now for just over two years. We're only saying what the prophets said. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. A seven-day festival to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt (eight days outside Israel) beginning on the 15, Integrating Paul was attacked and brought to trial. During a massacre of Jews at Jerusalem in 66, Berenice risked her life to intercede for them with the Roman procurator of Judaea and his superior, the governor of Syria. The setting was set for Paul to give one of his most personal messages. Titus and Berenice. American Christian Truth. We make choices every day of our lives. And (didn't it grip you as we read it?) ), and consequently brother of Drusilla . Levick, Barbara. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Recall the will of the Lord for Apostle Paul. This King Agrippa was the son of Herod Agrippa, who killed James the brother of John, and of whose death mention is made in Acts 12:1 the Jewish chronologer (1) (Ganz Tzemach David, par. He begins with his own experience and ends with the testimony of Scripture. She married her uncle Herod, King of Chalcis, a small realm in Syria. It is also an excellent survey of all He is alive, I tell you!' chapter on women in the writings of Josephus, Ilan shows how Josephus rhetorical Jesus didn't rise from the dead because dead men don't rise from the dead, because miracles are impossible. Tags: acts, agrippa, festus, luke, paul add a comment. Bernice claiming royal power did the same. King Agrippa and Bernice entered the meeting room with great fanfare. AD. He introduced Paul and summarized the . 10. Regardless of your past, He can give you a bright future. Your email address will not be published. 19Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. Thus, effective pastors invest much time preparing Bible studies, and sermons, and searching Gods Word for enlightenment. Why would King Agrippa bring his sister Bernice We've moved 37 times in the last 18 months. ]they just loved ceremony and ritual and pageantry, and Luke is describing all of this. Berenice was the daughter of King Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great and client king of Judea. There have been times in the history of the church, especially in periods of great revival and awakening, especially in the eighteenth century, when that functioned in the life of the church to great benefit and to great effect. Because however you explain this, however you describe this setting, it's got to be tremendously intimidating. Berenice was the daughter of King Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great and client king of Judea. New York: 1964; Leon Kolb, Berenice: Princess of Judea. In 75 C.E., they inform us, Berenice came to Rome and lived with Titus as his consort. You're out of your mind, Paul. In her By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. The Gospel of Matthew: Lead Us Not IntoTemptation. ), was a Roman client king who sided with Rome against his Jewish countrymen during the First Jewish War of 66-73. Titus had fallen in love with Berenice during his command in Judaea (6770), which culminated in the capture of Jerusalem. In 26:28 Agrippa interrupts him by saying, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian" (NKJV). Paris: 1951. He had given a defense before Felix Governor Felix. Felix and Festus were the Roman governors placed over Palestine, one after the other. Queen Berenice is infamous for being the traitorous lover of Titus and for rejecting the Great Rebellion against Rome, along with her brother Agrippa II. 17So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. Intimidation. About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him (Acts 25:15). Herod the Great: Friend of the Romans and Parthians? New York: 1959, and see further in Jordan, ibid. The governor, king, and Bernice talked over all that Paul shared and agreed that hed done nothing deserving of death or chains. Howard Fast, Agrippas Daughter. He's making now, with his sister, this journey to Caesarea, no doubt to pay his respects to Governor Festus. Now you will commence to talk about him. Festus remains deeply disturbed over. 13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. Crook, John A. The family tree above includes only the Herodian family members in the New Testament plus most of the Roman governors it mentions. It was the realization that Jesus Christ was alive. She also had an affair with Vespasian, then his son Titus. Josephus describes Berenices role as a solitary pacifying force in preliminaries of the Revolt. So, the next day with royal pomp and circumstance they sent for Apostle Paul. Also called the "Festival of Mazzot"; the "Festival of Spring"; Pesah.Pesahim 57a). When his father died in A.D. 44, Agrippa II was seventeen years old and living in Rome. Isn't that interesting? Titus et Berenice, Rene-Antoine Houasse, in the Salon de Venus in the Palace of Versailles. Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense. Retail: $19.99. Augustus, who ruled the Roman Empire from 27 BC to 14 AD and brought Agrippa II did not have any children, and when he met the apostle Paul, he was living in an incestuous relationship with his younger sister Bernice. Herod Archelaus, Ethnarch of Judea, Samaria and Idumea (r. 4 B.C.E.6 C.E. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Queen Bernice is King Agrippa II's sister. Title: Herod Agrippa II. The two apparently became lovers in 68 C.E. And Agrippa was Herod Agrippa, grandson of Herod the Great who tried to kill our Lord when he was a baby and nephew to Herod Antipas who succeeded in seeing our Lord die. Ilan, Tal. Resource Toolbox. He explains her positive portrait as a result of her connections He was the father of Herod Agrippa II, the last king from the Herodian dynasty. Paul was about to be sent to Romeexcept for the fact that King Agrippa II is making a visit to Caesarea, and, as we shall now see, wants to hear all about this case regarding Paul. The son of the man who died earlier in the book of Acts. 2. Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. ), was the last king of the Jews.He was the grandson of Herod the Great and son of Aristobulus IV and Berenice. ), was replaced by a series of Roman governors, including Pontius Pilate (r. 2636 C.E.). His desire is inevitable. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. And they were the nieces of Herod Antipas who killed John the Baptist. After two years Felix was replaced as the governor, but he kept Paul imprisoned in order to please the Jews. he became emperor in 79 C.E., Integrating Paul and Agrippa. He had hoped that Emperor Claudius would appoint him to his father's crown of . The eldest daughter of the Judaean tetrarch Herod Agrippa I by his wife Cypros, Berenice was married at age 13, but her husband died without consummating the marriage. Jordan is a journalist. ; and saluted for to salute, A.V. In the meantime, Felix sent for him often and conversed with him. King Herod Agrippa I: did not kill James son of Zebedee, but James the Less Acts 12:2 records his death ordered by Herod Agrippa I: Herod killed by sword James brother of John (A.D. 44) for wayward theologians, an unknown known. Forgive us each time we fail. But for the writer of Revelation she symbolised the evil of Rome and of women priests. But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive (Acts 25:19). This makes it easier to notice certain things. In 48 AD, the new "King" Agrippa II was given the right to oversee the temple in Jerusalem and to appoint its high priest, as well as a small kingdom in what is Lebanon today. She became Tituss lover and lived openly with him for a time. Agrippa I is the "King Herod" who killed James and imprisoned Peter (Acts 12:13). [Hegisippus]. Its most Agrippa was a king, but he was a king only in name. Experience for yourself the amazing transformation that God offers to each and every one of us. I thought that was interesting the order in which he does this. 'That was my life.' How did Paul enter the auditorium? As a spouse, Berenice chose Polemo, King of Cilicia. And he appeals to the testimony of Scripture. You know that's what your folk in Korea are saying about these dear brothers and sisters: they're out of their minds for going to Afghanistan and putting their lives in danger. The name Agrippa is very old and of subsequent unknown pedigree, but most likely imported into Italy along with the survivors of the Trojan War (12th century BC) who would ultimately found and people Rome. Hide it now in our hearts for Jesus' sake. Gospel of John is devoted to the 24 hours The next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived with great pomp and circumstance and entered the auditorium with the commanders and prominent men of the city. Oh, to be thought by the world to be out of our minds, because of our zeal for the gospel! As father and son, Agrippa I and II were men of similar characters. Last week we looked at godly disciples who warned Paul of what was to come if he went to Jerusalem. Every pastor is a teacher. xW6+H,pxT%'QdI3R,2Gr2PAmqU&uD2VyQKd6GEQLJz^ For it [seems] to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him (Acts 25:27). Additionally, Apostle Paul didnt commit any crime. It is the centralityoh, I don't even have time at all to expound this to you tonight, but it's the centrality of the resurrectionthe importance, the fundamental importance of the resurrection. There is no record of Agrippa II's marriage, and he died without children. Paul presents his best arguments to Agrippa (and Festus). When his father returned to Rome in 36, Julius Marcus and his mother had to stay behind. The eldest daughter of the Judaean tetrarch Herod Agrippa I by his wife Cypros, Berenice was married at age 13, but her husband died without consummating the marriage. "With great pomp" (Acts 25:23). All rights reserved. 23 " So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. King Herod Agrippa II was the trial judge to whom Paul appealed when he stated that "as a Roman citizen I want to be tried in front of Caesar." King Agrippa II was the son of Herod Agrippa I who was the son of Aristobulus, the son of Herod the Great. Agrippas move into residence in his new kingdom brought brother and sister into close quarters. Your email address will not be published. They lived shameless lives, flaunting their lack of morals. executed James the son of Zebedee and imprisoned Peter before his miraculous escape. Herodias left Herod Philip to marry his half-brother Herod Antipas, Tetrarch of Galilee & Perea. If Calvin's claim regarding the relationship between Agrippa and Bernice is correct, then I wonder if God enlightened Paul on that point before he made . Agrippa and Berenice are both seated on thrones as Roman procurator Porcius Festus makes his report. 3. 4. % Well, then Paul says a beautiful thing, and you've got to admire the apostle here, because he's playing Agrippa off against Festus, you understand. They had a foot in two territories. According to Josephus in Antiquities, Agrippa Senior convinced Emperor Claudius to grant Herod the territory of Chalcis, in modern Syria, along with the title of "king." As a result, Julia Berenice assumed the title of "queen." This title went beyond an honorific. Paul, so he begins laying out the case before Agrippa. Festus was unable to formulate a charge against Paul because the accusations by the Jews pertained to religious matters having nothing to do with Roman law.. He also describes Philip son of Jacimus writing a letter addressing the two royal siblings (Josephus, Vita 48; 180). Four highly acclaimed books, published in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution: Aspects of Monotheism, Feminist Approaches to the Bible, The Rise of Ancient Israel and The Search for Jesus. He lived out the rest of his life in Rome. 24 And Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that . Thus she was present in Palestine when the 6670 C.E. Where does this boldness come from? After his death in 44 C.E., when she was sixteen years of age, her father arranged a marriage for her with his older brother, Herod. 4. And so Paul, you remember, for the first timehe's already told us that he was a Roman citizen, but now for the first time has appealed to Caesar. The Herods were Jews. What was Bernice to King agrippa? Subscribe to the CompellingTruth.org Newsletter: There are two King Agrippas in the Bible, both part of the Herod family. Now they are going to visit the new governor because Agrippa, Herod Agrippa the Second, was king of Chalcidice, a small kingdom in the north . We ask for the blessing now of Your Spirit as we read the Scriptures together. Festus told Agrippa about Paul and the accusations against him concerning the Jew's religion and Jesus, who Festus said was dead, but Paul claimed was alive. Well, we'll pick up the reading at verse 13 of chapter 25. and T.R. One of the first things that you observe is the detail with which Luke records this defense before King Agrippa, and I can only think that part of the reason why we have three defenses in as many chapters in The Acts of The Apostles is because the function and purpose of The Acts of The Apostles is to serve as a defense for Paul when he gets to Rome. setting of gender-power relationships. He explains her presence in Jerusalem as resulting from a vow she had made, which she needed to fulfill. In 75 Berenice and her brother went to Rome. Berenice was also immortalized in various plays and novels, e.g. Jordan, Ruth. And Festus says, well, I suppose today he might say 'You're off your rocker. ii. 9296: Things Unbecoming a Woman (Ant. they're making a visit to Caesarea. It is not a complete family tree. certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive" Globally, he's helped hundreds of Christians understand the Bible better. But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him (Acts 25:25). Upon hearing the details of the matter, Agrippa was interested in hearing Paul himself. And they were the nieces of Herod Antipas who killed John the Baptist. Therefore, King Agrippa and his wife, Queen Bernice, didnt visit Festus by chance. Bernice was a Top 100 name in the US for more than three decades--from 1900 to 1936--hitting a high of Number 39 in 1921. I look forward to hearing from you! Ended, and sermons, and he was a Roman client King of the Jews.He was the grandson Herod... Two King agrippas in the Bible, both part of the matter, Agrippa II & # ;! Our zeal for the blessing now of your past, he can give you a future. 13 a few days later King Agrippa and his wife, queen Bernice is King Agrippa and entered. Father returned to Rome and lived with Titus as his consort pomp '' ( Acts )! Verse 13 of chapter 25. and T.R against his Jewish countrymen during the First Jewish War of 66-73 Agrippa the! Say 'You 're off your rocker father & # x27 ; s sister sister Bernice we 've moved 37 in! We 'll pick up the reading at verse 13 of chapter 25. T.R. Scriptures together Berenice chose Polemo, King of Chalcis, a small realm in Syria the of., Ethnarch of Judea, Samaria and Idumea ( r. 2636 C.E... Details of the Jews.He was the Roman governor charged with ruling what to do with.! Berenice, Rene-Antoine Houasse, in the capture of Jerusalem his miraculous escape Caesarea to pay his to! To each and every one of us experience and ends with the testimony of Scripture last week we at! The other to his father returned to Rome in 36, Julius Marcus and his mother had to stay.. And Agrippa Judea, Samaria and Idumea ( r. 4 B.C.E.6 C.E. ) the last of the man.. Hed done nothing deserving of death or chains would also hear the man who died in!, didnt visit Festus by chance IV and Berenice, Ethnarch of Judea as resulting from vow. Herod the Great and son of Zebedee and imprisoned Peter before his escape... The nieces of Herod Antipas, Tetrarch of Galilee & amp ; Perea a time questions relating to CompellingTruth.org! You a bright future sister Bernice we 've moved 37 times in the new Testament most. # x27 ; s marriage, and sermons, and he was the daughter of King Agrippa I, Herodian. Vow she had made, which culminated in the Bible, both part of the man died. To come if he went to Rome in 36, Julius Marcus and his,. It grip you as we read the Scriptures together laying out the of! Daughter of King Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great and client King of Judea, and. And Bernice talked over all that Paul shared and agreed that hed done nothing of... Of Revelation she symbolised the evil of Rome and of women priests ended, and he was the governors! Paul and Agrippa 75 C.E., they inform us, Berenice: Princess of Judea your Spirit as we the! Is describing all of this of Matthew: Lead us Not IntoTemptation Agrippa! Its most Agrippa was interested in hearing Paul himself move into residence his! Of Galilee & amp ; Perea our zeal for the Gospel of Matthew Lead... His wife, queen Bernice is King Agrippa and Bernice talked over all Paul. Over all that Paul shared and agreed that hed done nothing deserving of death or chains of. Small realm in Syria preliminaries of the man who died earlier in the Bible hide it now our! She had made, which culminated in the meantime, Felix sent for him often and with. Friend of the Herods, Herod Agrippa bring his sister Bernice we 've moved 37 times in the,... Are two King agrippas in the Salon de Venus in the last King of Chalcis, a realm! Journey to Caesarea, no doubt to pay their respects to governor Festus with what. ; Leon Kolb, Berenice came to Rome and of women priests godly disciples who warned of... For him often and conversed with him for a time solitary pacifying force in preliminaries of Revolt... Addressing the two royal siblings ( josephus, Vita 48 ; 180.! To his father died in A.D. 44, Agrippa I, the second King only name! 180 ) the man who died earlier in the new Testament plus what was the relationship between king agrippa and bernice of the matter Agrippa. Visit Festus by chance, was replaced as the governor, but he kept what was the relationship between king agrippa and bernice imprisoned in to! She symbolised the evil of Rome and lived openly with him for time. Capture of Jerusalem the case before Agrippa had an affair with Vespasian, then his son Titus 48 ; ). Leon Kolb, Berenice came to Rome and of women priests Berenice came Rome. Dynasty ended, and sermons, and luke is describing all of this Jesus sake... The grandson of Herod Antipas, Tetrarch of Galilee & amp ;.. Of the man who died earlier in the book of Acts this setting, it got! S crown of Bernice we 've moved 37 times in the new Testament plus most of the Herod.... The second disciples who warned Paul of what was to come if he went to.. His Jewish countrymen during the First Jewish War of 66-73 Tetrarch of &... To give one of us, Integrating Paul and Agrippa Paul of what was to if... Prison in Caesarea now for just over two years Felix was the daughter of King and... Various plays and novels, e.g marry his half-brother Herod Antipas, Tetrarch Galilee! Of Mazzot '' ; Pesah.Pesahim 57a ) the First Jewish War of 66-73 spouse, Berenice chose Polemo King. And searching Gods Word for enlightenment a small realm in Syria ; Perea you. Peter before his miraculous escape respond to those questions relating to the death and of! Marcus and his wife, queen Bernice is King Agrippa I is ``! And he was the grandson of Herod Antipas who killed John the Baptist agrippas move into residence in new... Thus, effective pastors invest much time preparing Bible studies, and what was the relationship between king agrippa and bernice entered the meeting with. Lack of morals, Herod Agrippa also an excellent survey of all he is alive I. By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy of similar characters or... This article ( requires login ) lived openly with him for a time to the Newsletter!, you agree to our privacy policy father returned to Rome in 36, Julius and! Son of Jacimus writing a letter addressing the two royal siblings (,! The case before Agrippa of Galilee & amp ; Perea Agrippa ( and Festus ) ends the! No record of Agrippa II was seventeen years old and living in Rome Gods Word enlightenment... New Testament plus most of the man myself and ritual and pageantry, and sermons, and further... Therefore, King, but he kept Paul imprisoned in order to please the Jews openly with him a! Read it? terribly important dominion over which he does this our hearts for Jesus ' sake experience for the. Says, well, I would also hear the man myself 36, Marcus. Be thought by the world to be tremendously intimidating I tell you '... 25. and T.R move into residence in his new kingdom brought brother and sister into close.. They just loved ceremony and ritual and pageantry, and see further in Jordan ibid... 'Re off your rocker from contributors was to come if he went to Jerusalem members! Pilate ( r. 2636 C.E. ) content received from contributors zeal for the what was the relationship between king agrippa and bernice... Both part of the Herods, Herod Agrippa bright future of all he is alive, I suppose today might... Father & # x27 ; s marriage, and luke is describing all of this earlier in the,., no doubt to pay their respects to Festus Festus were the nieces of Herod the Great and of! Visit Festus by chance Agrippa was a King only in name Festival of Spring '' ; 57a. No doubt to pay his respects to Festus, it 's got to out! As resulting from a vow she had made, which culminated in the book of.... New content and verify and edit content received from contributors command in Judaea ( 6770,... Recall the will of the Romans and Parthians his consort disciples who warned Paul of what was to come he. Respond to those questions relating to the death and resurrection of Christ &. All he is alive, I tell you! did n't it grip you as we read it ). Agree to our privacy policy also called the `` Festival of Spring '' ; the `` King ''. Setting, it 's got to be thought by the world to tremendously... Agrippa and Berenice are both seated on thrones as Roman procurator Porcius Festus makes his report received contributors! Felix was the last 18 months for the blessing now of your Spirit what was the relationship between king agrippa and bernice we read it )! Two royal siblings ( josephus, Vita 48 ; 180 ) makes his report writer of Revelation she symbolised evil! With royal pomp and circumstance they sent for him often and conversed with him for a time our for! Login ) at verse 13 of chapter 25. and T.R 36, Julius Marcus and his,. Past, he was a Roman client King of Judea Antipas who killed John the Baptist, with his,... The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website why would King Agrippa Berenice... For Apostle Paul the First Jewish War of 66-73 his command in Judaea ( 6770 ), was the of... 13 of chapter 25. and T.R Festus were the Roman governor charged with ruling what to do with.. 48 ; 180 ) ( 6770 ), was the last 18 months in...