Agrippa
In the Bible, Agrippa refers primarily to two historical figures from the Herodian dynasty, both of whom are mentioned in the New Testament. The first is Herod Agrippa I, who ruled from A.D. 37 to 44. He is notable for his persecution of early Christians, including the execution of the Apostle James (Acts 12:1-2) and the imprisonment of Peter (Acts 12:3-4). Agrippa I's reign is characterized by an attempt to gain favor with the Jewish populace, which included enforcing Jewish laws and customs, leading to his eventual downfall when he was struck down by divine judgment for accepting worship as a god (Acts 12:21-23).The second figure is Herod Agrippa II, the son of Agrippa I, who appears in Acts 25-26. Agrippa II is known for his involvement in the trial of the Apostle Paul, where he expresses a degree of interest in Paul’s defense of the Christian faith. Paul’s appeal to Agrippa serves to illustrate the tension between the early Christian movement and the political powers of the time. Agrippa II’s rule extended from A.D. 50 to 100, and he is often associated with the decline of the Herodian dynasty in the face of growing Roman authority. Both Agrippas are significant in the context of early Christian history, representing the intersection of faith and political power during a tumultuous period.