Same Name, Different People

A number of people in the Bible have identical names, and it can make it easy to get them confused and mixed up. In particular, the names of Herod, John, and James are easy to confuse, as there are a number of people of these names. Hopefully this will help keep them separate, and help in understanding the scriptures more clearly.

The Name of Herod
Herod the Great – He was the ruler of Judea at the time Christ was born into this world. He is responsible for the “murder of the innocents,” building the temple (and other buildings), and died while Jesus, Joseph, and Mary were in Egypt. He primarily appears in the Matthew 2.

Herod Antipas – Son of Herod the great, he became tetrarch of Galilee. It was this Herod who married his brother's wife, and upon whose order John the baptizer was beheaded. It was also this Herod which makes an appearance at the trial of Christ. This is the Herod mentioned throughout most of the gospel accounts.

Herod Agrippa I – A grandson of Herod the Great, but not son of Herod Antipas. This Herod is primarily known for the gruesome way in which he died, being eaten by worms as punishment for his pride (Acts 12).

The Name of John
John the baptist – So named for his practice of baptizing those who were willing. He was Jesus' cousin. He is spoken of in prophecy as the messenger who was to come before the Messiah and prepare the way. Based on Luke 1:15 is reasonable to think that he was under the Nazarite vow for his entire life. He is also notable for his bold teaching in the wilderness and for his death at hands of Heord Antipas by the wishes of Herodias. He is found in scripture towards the beginning of the gospel accounts, with his death coming in the 14th chapter of Matthew. It is also to this John that the reference “the baptism which John preached” is made.

John, the disciple Jesus loved – One of the twelve apostles, son of Zebedee, brother of James. In the gospel of John, he is often referred to as the disciple “whom Jesus loved,” indicating that John was particularly close to Jesus. The apostle John wrote the gospel of John, I, II, and II John, and the Revelation. Although early on he was given the name “boanerges,” meaning “son of thunder,” his growth as a Christian has led to him often being referred to as “the apostle of love,” although he is not addressed that way in scripture. He is found throughout the New Testament.

John Mark – In Acts 12, we see this man accompanying Barnabas and Paul for a while, before departing and turning back. In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas divide because of him. This John is better known to us as Mark, who wrote the gospel of Mark.

The Name of James
James, son of Zebedee – One of the twelve apostles, the brother of the apostle John, and also given the name “boanerges.” He was executed by Herod Agrippa in Acts 12.

James the Less – One of the twelve apostles, the son of Alphaeus.

James, brother of Jesus – The brother of Jesus, who while at first unbelieving, came to faith and obedience. The epistle of James is attributed to him.