The name comes from Herod, and refers to those who took part with him and his successors in leavening the Jews with Grecian and Roman manners and licentiousness. In skepticism they sided with the Sadducees, but were strongly opposed to the Pharisees. This makes it the more striking that they should have united with the latter in endeavoring to entrap the Lord in His speech (Matt. 22:16; Mark 3:6; Mark 12:13). Their evil principles may well come under the term “the leaven of Herod” (Mark 8:15).