Some years ago, a lawyer by the name of Frank Morison wrote a book with the title Who Moved The Stone? He set out with the purpose of disproving the resurrection, of proving that Christ did not really rise from the grave.

But the book turned out to be entirely different. It is a searching study of the scriptural story of Christ’s crucifixion, death and resurrection. He makes the unquestionable point that the resurrection is a historical fact. Lawyer-like, he disposes, one after another, of the dozens of theories invented to account for the removal of the body from the tomb.

For example, that the gardener took away Christ’s body so that the curious would not trample his flowers, that Joseph of Arimathea did it, because he regretted giving his grave to an acknowledged criminal, that Jesus recovered from a death-like faint on the cross and pushed the stone away Himself.

–  Tan

Herod – Which Herod

The Readers of the New Testament will encounter no less than five people belonging to the generic family name of Herod. This family was a powerful dynasty in Palestinian politics and religion from the middle of the first century B.C. to the end of the first century A.D.

Herod the Great is surnamed "king of the Jews." He was only half Jewish and was in power from 40 B.C. to 4 A.D. During the Roman occupation of Judea he aided the Romans and was given the honorary title 'king.' This Herod was never popular. He became obsessed with fear of losing his position and conducted a reign of terror against many rivals, including his family. He was able to consolidate Israel through friendship with the Romans. He expanded his territory and conducted a magnificent building program. This, Herod the Great, was the Herod that was visited by the 'wise men.' As a result of this visit Herod ordered the slaughter of the Bethlehem.

After the death of 'Herod the Great,' the kingdom was divided. One son, Archelaus, was know as the ethnarch (Matthew 2:22), but not as king. He controlled Judea and Samaria from 4 B.C. to 6 A.D. He greatly repressed those under his control. This led to a massive revolt that was only diverted by his being deposed and exiled. This left Judea under the direct control of Rome.

Herod the tetrarch (Luke 3:1, 19) is known as Antipas. Of the Herods, Antipas figures most prominently in the Gospels since he ruled over the regions where both John the Baptist and Jesus conducted most of their ministries. He too, was a son of 'Herod the Great.' He was given Galilee as his domain in 4 B.C. He ruled until 39 A.D., at which time he was denounced to the emperor and banished from his realm. Herod Antipas was the most capable of all Herod's sons. He built several important cities including Tiberias on Lake Galilee. This Herod was the ruler under which John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1-12) was imprisoned and beheaded. Antipas finally meets Jesus, when He was sent from Pilate to be examined (Luke 23:6-12).

Herod 'the King' (Acts12:1) is also known as Agrippa. He was a grandson of Herod the Great. He was ruler over northern Palestine. Agrippa was also awarded the realm of Antipas after his exile in 39 A.D. In 41A.D . he was also awarded the rule of Judea and Samaria. He ruled over a wide realm. He died a horrible death in A.D. 44. This death is recorded in Acts 12:19-23 and supplemented by the writings of Josephus.

Herod Agrippa's only son was also known as Agrippa. He was born in 27 A.D. He was awarded the entire realm of his father in 44 A.D. Nero gave him more territorial power in 56 A.D. This Herod Agrippa was king in Israel during the tempestuous years of 66 A.D. and onward. This was the time of the Great Jewish rebellion against Rome. He tried to prevent the rebellion, and was later rewarded by the Romans. The Bible mentions a meeting between Paul and Agrippa in Acts 25: 13-26:32. Herod Agrippa lived until 100 A.D.

Sources: The Dictionary of Bible and Religion, William Gentz | The Bible Almanac, White | Easter a Pictorial Pilgrimage - Pierre Benoit |

Easter Quotations

O chime of sweet Saint Charity,
Peal soon that Easter morn
When Christ for all shall risen be,
And in all hearts new-born! .

       —James Russell Lowell, Godminister Chimes, st. 7

No, we can never think that Jesus died in despair—or "of a broken heart," as some have said. He was dying in victory, not defeat. He foresaw, if anyone ever did, that future which is more real than the present.  

FREDERICK C, GRANT, Christ's Victory and Ours, 1950

ALBERT T. MOLLEGEN, Christianity and Modern Man, 1961