Herod, King of Judea, was greatly troubled over the report that a Child of Prophecy—one destined to become King of the Jews--had been born. Herod was tyrannical and merciless, sparing neither foe nor friend who came under suspicion of being a possible hindrance to his ambitious designs. He had his wife and several of his sons, as well as others of his blood kin, cruelly murdered; and he put to death nearly all of the great national council, the Sanhedrin.