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| “ | Go to Bethlehem, and kill this child, to be sure that every newborn boy in Bethlehem…must die. Be certain that none escape. | „ |
| ~ King Herod ordering the massacre of infants. |
King Herod is the main antagonist of part 1 of the 1965 Biblical epic, The Greatest Story Ever Told. Like his theological counterpart, he was the tyrannical king of Judea who was willing to do whatever it took to secure his power and legacy as king, even if it meant murdering innocent children.
He was portrayed by the late Claude Rains, who also played The Invisible Man in the 1933 film of the same name, Erique Claudin in The Phantom of the Opera and Prince John in The Adventures of Robin Hood.
Biography[]
Herod was the ruthless old king of Judea, who suffered from an unknown illness that was slowly killing him. He was the father of Antipas, who would rule in his place upon his death. Once being informed by three Magi of a newborn king (who traveled from Egypt to Jerusalem upon seeing a star leading to Bethlehem), Herod's advisors tell him of the prophecies of the Messiah to be born. Herod then orders the Magi to find said Messiah, known as Jesus, so he may worship him. However he has his soldiers follow them.
When the soldiers follow the Magi to find Jesus at his birthplace in Bethlehem, they return back to inform their king. Meanwhile Herod speaks of the prophecies of Jesus' birth, scoffing at the idea of God and dismissing the "child of God" as "the child of imagination"-but nevertheless expresses his fear of said child to his son, Antipas. Once Herod receives news of the child’s whereabouts from the head soldier, he plans to fulfill the prophecy of a woman named Rachel mourning her dead children-thus ordering said soldier to execute every young boy 2 or younger in Bethlehem so he may prevent the Messiah from usurping him, and to secure his son's place as king upon his death. Herod's commanding officer seems horrified by such a request, but nevertheless follows through with his orders. However, when Jesus' father, Joseph, is informed of Herod's plans from an angel, he takes his baby boy as well as his wife, Mary, to Egypt so they may escape his clutches.
Herod's plan is carried through and all young boys 2 or younger in Bethlehem, as well as their families, are murdered in cold blood. Upon being informed that "not one is alive", Herod smiles with glee, but dies immediately afterwards. Antipas would later take his place as king.
Trivia[]
- This was Claude Rains' final film role before his death.
External Links:[]
- Herod on the Pure Evil Wiki