Who was Herod Agrippa II?

Response

There are various Herods mentioned in the New Testament. They all belong to the Herod dynasty, rulers appointed by the authorities in Rome to govern Israel. Herod Agrippa II is the one who listened to Paul’s defense of the gospel and famously turned down Paul’s plea for salvation.

The patriarch of the Herod family was Herod the Great, the ruler when Jesus was born and the one who attempted to have Him murdered (Matthew 2). Herod Antipas governed during the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus. He is the individual who ordered John’s execution (Mark 6) and presided over one of Jesus’ trials (Luke 23:7-12). Herod Agrippa I was the king of Judea for a brief period and the one who had James put to death. His demise is documented in Acts 12.

Herod Agrippa II was just seventeen when his father, Herod Agrippa I, passed away. At that time, he was in Rome and was favored by Emperor Claudius. Claudius retained Agrippa II in Rome for a few more years before appointing him tetrarch of the Syrian region known as Chalcis and assigning him the task of overseeing the temple in Jerusalem. Eventually, Herod Agrippa II relinquished control of Chalcis but was granted the title of king and additional territory, including the lands previously governed by Herod Philip. Nero later expanded his domain, encompassing parts of Galilee.

Herod Agrippa II resided with Bernice, who also belonged to the Herodian lineage as the daughter of Herod Agrippa I. She had been wed to her uncle, Herod Pollio of Chalcis (not mentioned in Scripture), but following his death, she moved in with her brother, Agrippa II, engaging in an incestuous relationship. Towards the end of his tenure, Herod Agrippa II observed escalating tensions between Rome and the Jews and unsuccessfully attempted to avert war. Ultimately, he sided with Rome and was ousted by his Jewish subjects. He spent the remainder of his days in Rome. He was the final member of the dynasty.

Herod’s lineage to become a king.

Herod Agrippa II briefly appears in the New Testament in Acts 25 and 26. Paul had been arrested in Jerusalem and accused by the Jewish leaders of desecrating the temple. For Paul’s safety, the centurion in charge had sent him under heavy guard to the Roman governor Felix in Caesarea (Acts 23). Felix, who was married to Drusilla (a sister of both Bernice and Agrippa II), heard the charges brought by the Jewish leaders but postponed judgment, hoping that Paul might offer him a bribe to gain freedom (Acts 23:25-26). After two years, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but Paul remained imprisoned because Felix did not want to provoke the Jews «This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. I went with the troops and rescued him, for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen. », (Acts 23:27).

Governor Festus aimed to resolve pending court cases, so he considered the accusations of the Jews and asked Paul if he would agree to stand trial in Jerusalem. Paul understood he would not receive a fair trial there, so he exercised his right as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar: “I am now standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have not wronged the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” (Acts 25:10-11). Festus had no option but to send him to Caesar, which immediately saved Paul from the Jewish leaders.

Festus, however, was unsure about what charges should accompany Paul to Rome, so when King Herod Agrippa II made a visit to Festus, Festus shared Paul’s case with him. Herod Agrippa II expressed his desire to hear Paul speak, and the next day, in a grand assembly, Paul presented his defense before King Agrippa II.

During his visit to Caesarea, Festus discussed Paul’s case with Agrippa, hoping that Agrippa might possess more knowledge about the religious matters at hand. Agrippa expressed his interest in hearing directly from Paul, to which Festus replied, “Tomorrow you will have the opportunity to listen to him” «Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. », (Acts 25:22).

The following day, Festus, Agrippa II, and Bernice assembled with great ceremony to hear Paul’s case. Festus presented Paul by stating, “King Agrippa, and all who are present, you see this man! The Jewish community both in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea has vehemently petitioned me regarding him, declaring that he should not live any longer. After examining him, I found no grounds for the death penalty. However, since he appealed to be judged by the Emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome. Yet, I am at a loss as to what to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore, I have brought him before you all, and particularly before you, King Agrippa, so that after this hearing, I may have something to report. It seems unreasonable to send a prisoner to Rome without specifying the charges against him” (Acts 25:24-27).

Subsequently, Herod Agrippa II granted Paul permission to speak in his defense. “Paul then motioned with his hand and began his defense: ‘King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I defend myself against all the accusations brought by the Jews. I am especially grateful because you are well-versed in Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I ask for your patient attention as I present my case’” (Acts 26:1-3). Paul proceeded to recount his past as a persecutor of the church and narrated the encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He concluded by referencing prophecies concerning the Messiah.

Rise from the dead and that salvation would be provided to the Gentiles.

Governor Festus interrupted Paul’s defense at that point, shouting, “You are out of your mind, Paul! . . . Your great learning is driving you insane” «And as he thus spoke for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. », (Acts 26:24). Paul replied, “I am not insane, most excellent Festus. . . . What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do” (verses 25–27). Then Herod Agrippa II said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (verse 28). Paul’s reply shows the heart of an evangelist: “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains” (verse 29). At that, the royals left the room, convinced of Paul’s innocence. Herod Agrippa II said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar” (verse 32).

It is significant that Herod Agrippa II admits Paul had done nothing wrong and should by all rights be set free. With the possible exception of Herod Antipas who liked to listen to John—albeit for superstitious reasons—this is the only biblical record of a positive interaction between a Herodian king and Jesus and His church.

Herod Agrippa II also makes a statement to Paul that has sparked the imagination of millions of Christians. In the King James Version, Acts 26:28 is translated “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Many sermons over the years have been preached about the man who “almost” became a Christian but ultimately did not. The words ofAgrippa II has become a cautionary tale of nearly embracing Christianity but delaying too long. A gospel song titled “Almost Persuaded” was penned by prolific songwriter Philip Bliss in 1871 and has been sung in churches for many generations:

Almost persuaded now to believe;
Almost persuaded Christ to receive;
Seems now some soul to say,
Go, Spirit, go Thy way,
Some more convenient day
On Thee I’ll call.
Almost persuaded, come, come today;
Almost persuaded, turn not away;
Jesus invites you here,
Angels are lingering near
Prayers rise from hearts so dear;
O wanderer, come!
Almost persuaded, harvest is past!
Almost persuaded, doom comes at last!
Almost cannot avail;
Almost is but to fail!
Sad, sad, that bitter wail—
Almost, but lost!

The sentiments expressed in the hymn are noble, and certainly the Bible warns about waiting because “today is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2; cf: Hebrews 3:7-15). However, the sermons and song are based on a poor translation of what Agrippa II actually said. There is no hint in Acts 25 that Agrippa was seriously considering becoming a Christian. In fact, a more accurate translation of what he said gives almost the opposite impression. The NIV accurately translates verse 28, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” In other words, Agrippa fully understood what Paul was trying to do, and he tells Paul plainly that it is not going to happen, at least not in such a short time.

There is a lesson for us here on personal evangelism. Acts 25—26 provides a great example for believers to follow. Paul was in chains with his life and freedom on the line, but he did not shrink back from faithfully proclaiming the gospel to those in positions of power. While the number of people

While the situation of those who are “almost persuaded” to believe but then turn away is disturbing, what should be even more troubling is the number of Christians who are “almost persuaded” to boldly speak for Christ when they are given the opportunity, only to meekly let the opportunity pass them by.