Just a little heads up, this section will make much more sense if you first read the History and Geography entry!
Ok, so we are going to back it up a bit back to the time of the Persian reign. Remember how under the rule of Cyrus the Jews were allowed to leave Babylon and return to their home land; and how the exile in Babylon did wonders in curing their habit of practicing idolatry? Well after that they didn't seem too concerned with who was governing them, as long as they were allowed to worship God and follow His Law. If the ruling government attempted to introduce foreign religion and idols the Jews would rebel. This is what happened at the end of Syrian rule. During this time a family named the Maccabees, or as they were later called, the Hasmoneans, rose to power and led the Jews in a successful rebellion against Syria. So for just an ever so brief moment of about 100 years, Palestine was independent (way to go guys!!). This was from 164-63 BC
About 65 BC the Hasmoneans were struggling for power in Palestine with the ever growing control coming from Rome. In the midst of this time a man named Antipater (an Idumean...Orthodox Jews didn't like these people!) wiggled his way onto the scene and into a position of influence in Palestine. He wiggled and wormed his way to full control of Palestine and the Jewish nation in 46 BC. And why does any of this really matter you might be asking...well, you see, Antipater was the father of Herod the Great (who consequently, I don't think was really all that Great!). Herod the Great was that nasty man that ordered all those little baby boys to be killed in an attempt to kill Jesus.
When Herod the Great died (yay!), Rome appointed three of his sons as rulers over his kingdom (boooo!).
Herod Antipas - ruled for most of Jesus' life, so this is the Herod we read of the most.
Herod Philip - ruled the large area North of the sea of Galilee and East of the Jordan River. This is all my texts really say about him, I would love a little juicy gossip if any of you know anything interesting about this man!
Herod Archaleaus - he was nasty mean, so Rome removed him in AD 6. This was the Herod Joseph heard about as he returned from Egypt, so he didn't go to Judea, but instead to Nazareth in Galilee. (Matt 2:22-23)
I think it's so interesting to see how in hindsight we can see how God's hand was working to bring His Son at just the right time, in just the right place.
You see, people from Galilee were considered to be from the "wrong side of the tracks". This area was a hot spot for the various kingdoms that invaded and ruled over Palestine. This made the orthodox Jews look down on people who were from there.
Interesting stuff if you take that into consideration while reading
Psalms 22:6,7
Psalms 118:22
Isaiah 53:2,3
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