Pers. Sat. 1.
Now whether this latter may be referred to Herod the Great, I much doubt; because I find not any Author among the Ancients to speak of Herod the Great his Birth-day: It was another Herod, Tetrarch of Galilee, otherwise called Antipas, whose Birth-day we read celebrated, Mark 6. 21. The former point, that the Herodians received Herod as their Messiah, though it hath many grave Authors[189] avouching it, yet others[190] justly question the truth thereof; for if the Herodians were Jews (as most think) how then could they imagine, that Herod, a stranger, could be the Messiah, seeing that it was so commonly preached by the Prophets, and known unto the People, that the Messiah, must be a Jew born, of the Tribe of Judah, and of the house of David?
[189] Epiph. hæres. 10. & Theophyl. Mat. 22. 16. & alii plures.
[190] Hieron. Mat. 22. 17.
Others say,[191] that the Herodians were certain flatterers in Herod his Court, varying and changing many points of their Religion with Herod their King.
[191] Theodor. Beza, Mat. 22. 16.
To omit many other conjectures utterly improbable, I incline to Saint Hierom, whose Opinion is,[192] that the Herodians were those who stood stifly for tribute to be paid to Cæsar. It concerned Herod, who at first received his Crown from Cæsar, to further Cæsar’s tribute, not only in way of thankfulness, but also in way of policy, to prevent a possible deposing or desceptring; for it was in Cæsar’s power to take away the Crown again when pleased him. Now, in respect that Herod saught to kill Christ, and the Herodians with the Pharisees took counsel against him; unto this our Saviour might have reference, saying, Mar. 8. 15. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. Viz. Of their contagious Doctrine, and fox-like subtleties.
[192] Hieron. Mat. 22. 17.