Herodians

Concise Bible Dictionary:

The name comes from Herod, and refers to those who took part with him and his successors in leavening the Jews with Grecian and Roman manners and licentiousness. In skepticism they sided with the Sadducees, but were strongly opposed to the Pharisees. This makes it the more striking that they should have united with the latter in endeavoring to entrap the Lord in His speech (Matt. 22:1616And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. (Matthew 22:16); Mark 3:66And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. (Mark 3:6); Mark 12:1313And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. (Mark 12:13)). Their evil principles may well come under the term “the leaven of Herod” (Mark 8:1515And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. (Mark 8:15)).

Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:

Number:
2265 (find all occurrences in KJV Bible)
Greek:
Ἡρωδιανοί
Transliteration:
Herodianoi
Phonic:
hay-ro-dee-an-oy’
Meaning:
plural of a derivative of 2264; Herodians, i.e. partisans of Herod
KJV Usage:
Herodians

Jackson’s Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names:

gentilic of Herod

Potts’ Bible Proper Names:

Partisans of Herod; of the sect of Herod, Matt. 22:16. {Sectatores Herodis}

From Manners and Customs of the Bible:

These Herodians were rather a political than a religious party. They were Jews who attached themselves to the political fortunes of the Herodian family, hoping thereby to promote the interests of the Jewish people. They were not very strict in observing the requirements of the Jewish ritual; and, although in this respect they were the opposite of the Pharisees, they easily united with that powerful body in efforts to ruin Jesus, as appears from this verse in connection with the fifteenth. See also Mark 3:6; 12:136And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. (Mark 3:6)
13And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. (Mark 12:13). Some suppose, from comparing Matthew 16:66Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. (Matthew 16:6) with Mark 8:1515And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. (Mark 8:15), that the Herodians were all Sadducees; that they belonged to what is knowns the Baethusian branch of that body.

Related Books and Articles:

694. The Herodians