Herod Agrippa I (41-44AD)

QUESTION: Was it Herod Agrippa who ruled Jerusalem when Jesus was Crucified? Someone said his coins are common.

ANSWER: No. It does get confusing. Herod Agrippa I (born 11BC; ruled 41 – 44 AD) after Jesus was crucified. Agrippa I was the last King of Judea with the royal title reigning over Judea. He was also the father of Herod Agrippa II, who was the last King from the Herodian dynasty. Herod Agrippa I  was the grandson of Herod the Great and son of Aristobulus IV and Berenice. He was born Marcus Julius Agrippa being named in honor of Roman general and statesman Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, who had been the right hand of Emperor Augustus. Herod Agrippa I is the king named Herod in the Acts of the Apostles 12:1 (Acts 12:1). The Jewish historian Josephus refers to him as “Agrippa the Great”.

Josephus tells us that, following the murder of his father, Herod Agrippa I was sent by Herod the Great to the imperial court in Rome. There, Tiberius became very fond of the boy and he was educated alongside his own son Drusus with whom he became good friends. He also became a close friend of the future Emperor Claudius. On the death of Drusus, Agrippa, who had been recklessly extravagant and was deeply in debt, was obliged to leave Rome.

All the Judean kings of the Herodian Dynasty issued small bronze coins. They did not put their portrait on these small bronze coins They are fairly common. The Herod you are thinking about was Herod III Antipas.