Herod and Pilate: Two Enemies United

Praise the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ forever.
I hope you are well. Today, I invite you to reflect with me on the living Word of our God.

We will examine a key event that occurred shortly before Christ endured the intense suffering of the crucifixion—the remarkable moment when two long-time enemies, Herod and Pilate, met and came together.

Luke 23:11-12 (ESV):

“Then Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him, arraying him in splendid clothing, and sent him back to Pilate. That very day Herod and Pilate became friends, because previously they had been enemies with each other.”

Have you ever wondered why these men, who had other means of negotiation—diplomatic or economic—only came together over the arrest of a single righteous man? Why was Jesus so significant to them? After all, He was not a politician or a businessman, nor a spy; He was a Jew, and they were Romans, operating in Israel primarily to maintain political control and to collect taxes for the Emperor in Rome, thousands of miles away.

Clearly, Jesus had no worldly significance to them. Yet, this union of enemies was not ordinary. It was orchestrated by a higher authority—the spiritual realm of darkness.

Jesus Himself alluded to this shortly before His arrest in Gethsemane:

Luke 22:52-53 (ESV):

“Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders who had come for him, ‘Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.’”

The “powers of darkness” always work strategically. To bring about distress, they unite leaders—even long-standing enemies—to amplify the effect of their plan.

If Herod and Pilate had not joined forces, Jesus would not have been crucified, because the decree required the agreement of both authorities. It was not only these two rulers; the Scriptures tell us that even nations and the people of Israel—including scribes and priests, long divided—united to conspire against Christ.

Matthew 22:34-36 (contextually):

The Pharisees and Sadducees, who often opposed each other, joined forces in their opposition to Jesus, demonstrating that spiritual agendas can override natural enmities.

Acts 4:25-27 (ESV):

“You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant David: ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed.’ For truly in this city, Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.”

This shows that the team plotting Jesus’ destruction was far larger than most imagine, and much of it was made possible by the union of enemies.

Similarly, in the end times, the spirit of the Antichrist will unite nearly all nations. This union will not come from peace treaties, economic agreements, or diplomatic negotiations—these have repeatedly failed throughout history. Instead, it will be orchestrated by the powers of darkness to establish a global system opposing Christ.

Consider this: why would the world unite under a single authority so powerful that it controls buying, selling, and governance? Just as Herod and Pilate—long-time enemies—were brought together for God’s plan, Satan must orchestrate this to fulfill his agenda.

Those who have rejected Christ’s salvation will witness unprecedented events suddenly striking those left behind, forcing the world under the Antichrist’s system. This will mark a tribulation like no other since creation.

The Lord wants to protect us from this time of global destruction:

Revelation 3:10 (ESV):

“Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.”

We must ask ourselves: are we ready? Have we embraced His Word of patience and endurance? If we are confident in Christ, we will be with Him in heaven. If not, we risk being left behind. It is therefore essential to dedicate our lives to the Lord now, and He will ensure our safe passage through these perilous times.

Maranatha!

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