Were a sect of Jews, so called, perhaps, from appearing at the time of Herod the Great, and not before; though some have thought, that by way of complimenting Herod they assumed the name of Herodians. Certain it is, that Herod affected to be thought of the seed of David, though there could be but little doubt, that he was, by nation, an Idumean. But as the general expectation of the Jewish nation, at that time, was on the tiptoe for their king the Messiah to appear, to deliver them from the Roman yoke, and to raise an empire that should conquer the world, Herod was glad to fall in with this popular idea, not doubting but that they would regard him as the person. His disappointment at the birth of Christ, and the account the wise men who came from the east to Jerusalem, to seek for the new-born Prince, explains what we read of him, and his infamous cruelty. (Matthew 2:1-18) This sect was evidently the creatures of Herod, and as such bore his name. Their endeavours to entangle Jesus in his talk, and to accuse him before the Roman government, very plainly prove how inimical they were to the doctrines of Christ. (Matthew 22:15-16)