Herod as a Composite Character in Luke-Acts

by Frank Dicken

Book cover: Herod as a Composite Character in Luke-Acts

Extent: 223 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Biblical Studies, Jewish Studies

Series: Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2.Reihe

Series volume number: 375

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(October 2014)

ISBN: 9783161532542

6.06 x 9.06 inches

Price: $118.00

In stock

Frank Dicken offers a new perspective on the three rulers who appear in Luke-Acts with the name “Herod”, contending that in light of their similar narrative depictions they may be construed as a composite character, i.e., a single character in the narrative. Viewing the Lukan Herods alongside other composite characters in Jewish and early Christian literature, the author then compares and contrasts the portrayal of the Herods in Luke-Acts with what is known about the Herods historically.


Frank Dicken offers a new perspective on the three rulers who appear in Luke-Acts with the name “Herod”, contending that in light of their similar narrative depictions they may be construed as a composite character, i.e., a single character in the narrative. Viewing the Lukan Herods alongside other composite characters in Jewish and early Christian literature, the author then compares and contrasts the portrayal of the Herods in Luke-Acts with what is known about the Herods historically. Thereby he highlights two unique features – the title “King of Judaea” at Luke 1:5 and the name “Herod” for Agrippa I in Acts 12 – that result in construing the Herods as a composite. A reading of Luke-Acts focusing on each passage in which composite “Herod” appears demonstrates that understanding “Herod” as a single character is possible. Finally, Frank Dicken examines the characterization of composite “Herod” as an antagonist who embodies satanic opposition toward the spread of the gospel in the Lukan narrative.

  • By (author) Frank Dicken