Original Word: τετραάρχης
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: tetrarchés
Pronunciation: te-tra-ar-khays'
Phonetic Spelling: (tet-rar'-khace)
KJV: tetrarch
Word Origin: [from G5064 (τέσσαρες - four) and G757 (ἄρχω - began)]

1. the ruler of a fourth part of a country ("tetrarch")

tetrarch.

From tessares and archo; the ruler of a fourth part of a country ("tetrarch") -- tetrarch.

see GREEK tessares

see GREEK archo

5076 tetrárxēs (from tetra, "four" and 757 /árxō, "occupy first place, rule") – properly, someone who rules a fourth part of a province (district); hence, a tetrarch, a minor governor ("prince").

Word Origin
variant reading for tetraarchés, q.v.

STRONGS NT 5076: τετραάρχης

[τετραάρχης, see τετράρχης.]

STRONGS NT 5076: τετράρχηςτετράρχης (T WH τετραάρχης; see the preceding word, and cf. Tdf. Proleg., p. 117), τετράρχου, ὁ (from τέτρα, which see, and ἄρχω), a tetrarch; i. e.

1. a governor of the fourth part of any region. Thus Strabo, 12, p. 567, states that Galatia was formerly divided into three parts, each one of which was distributed into four smaller subdivisions each of which was governed by 'a tetrarch'; again, in book 9, p. 430, he relates that Thessaly, before the time of Philip of Macedon, had been divided into four 'tetrarchies' each of which had its own 'tetrarch'.

2. the word lost its strict etymological force, and came to denote "the governor of a third part or half of a country, or even the ruler of an entire country or district provided it were of comparatively narrow limits; a petty prince" (cf. e. g. Plutarch, Anton. 56, 3, i., p. 942 a.). Thus Antony made Herod (afterward king) and Phasael, sons of Antipater, tetrarchs of Palestine, Josephus, Antiquities 14, 13, 1. After the death of Herod the Great, his sons, Archelaus styled an ethnarch but Antipas and Philip with the title of 'tetrarchs', divided and governed the kingdom left by their father; Josephus, Antiquities 17, 11, 4. Cf. Fischer, De vitiis etc., p. 428; Winers RWB, under the word Tetrarch, and especially Keim in Schenkel v., p. 487ff The tetrarch Herod Antipas is mentioned in Matthew 14:1; Luke 3:19; Luke 9:7; Acts 13:1.

Historical Background

Under Roman administration lesser rulers were often granted limited sovereignty over a subdivision of a province. Such a governor enjoyed royal trappings yet remained accountable to Rome. The title translated “tetrarch” points to a ruler of one-fourth of a territory in its earliest sense, but by the first century it functioned more generally for a petty king or prince. Herod the Great’s death in 4 B.C. led to his kingdom being divided among his sons, and the New Testament references all concern this Herodian situation.

Occurrences in the New Testament

Matthew 14:1; Luke 3:19; Luke 9:7 employ the singular form in reference to Herod Antipas. Acts 13:1 uses the genitive in describing “Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch.” In each setting the title signals a local ruler whose actions intersect redemptive history.

The Herodian Tetrarchs

1. Herod Antipas – Received Galilee and Perea. Not formally called “king,” yet popularly addressed so (Mark 6:14). He executed John the Baptist (Matthew 14:10) and later mocked Jesus (Luke 23:11), displaying the moral instability of a ruler more intent on preserving power than pursuing truth.

2. Philip the Tetrarch – Governed the northeastern districts (Iturea and Trachonitis, Luke 3:1). Though not named in the four occurrences, his realm forms the geographical backdrop for several Gospel events, including Peter’s confession near Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13).

3. Lysanias – Mentioned in Luke 3:1 as tetrarch of Abilene. His reign reminds readers that multiple minor rulers shared the land, illustrating the political fragmentation extant at the dawn of Jesus’ ministry.

Implications for the Gospel Accounts

“Herod the tetrarch” frames key junctures in Jesus’ earthly mission:

Matthew 14:1–2: “At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus and said to his servants, ‘This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’”

The title emphasizes Antipas’ limited jurisdiction; yet even his restricted authority was sufficient to imprison and behead John. The Gospel writers thus contrast earthly office with divine prerogative—Herod may silence a prophet’s voice, but he cannot halt the advance of the Kingdom.

Luke 9:7–9 shows Herod perplexed by reports of Jesus’ miracles. The tetrarch’s confusion highlights growing messianic expectations and foreshadows the climactic confrontation in Jerusalem.

Connections to the Acts Narrative

Acts 13:1 situates early church leadership in Antioch alongside a boyhood companion of Herod Antipas. The pairing of a former court insider with prophets and teachers like Paul and Barnabas underscores the breadth of the Gospel’s reach: God calls individuals from the very circles that once opposed His purposes.

Lessons on Authority and Accountability

1. Earthly titles are transient. Antipas sought recognition as king but remained a tetrarch under Rome’s thumb; believers serve “the King of kings.”

2. Moral responsibility accompanies public office. Antipas’ oath-bound execution of John (Matthew 14:9) warns that rash vows and fear of public opinion can lead to grave sin.

3. God sovereignly employs even flawed rulers to advance His plan. The administrative boundaries of the tetrarchies shaped where and when Jesus ministered, fulfilling prophecy that “a great light” would dawn in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1–2; Matthew 4:13–16).

Doctrinal and Practical Insights

• Christ’s followers live under layered human governments, yet their ultimate allegiance belongs to God (Romans 13:1; Acts 5:29).

• The title’s precision supports the historical reliability of the Gospels; first-century writers accurately reflect the political landscape of Palestine.

• Gospel proclamation penetrates every social stratum—from fishermen in Galilee to aristocrats raised with the tetrarch. The Church today likewise addresses people across all levels of authority, calling each to repentance and faith.

τετρααρχης τετραάρχης τετρααρχου τετραάρχου τετράδι τετράδος τετράρχης τετράρχου τετράστιχον tetraarches tetraarchēs tetraárches tetraárchēs tetraarchou tetraárchouInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts