King Herod and all Jerusalem with him were troubled because they feared losing their positions of civil and religious leadership Rome had permitted them to enjoy.  They were also fearful of how the Roman Empire would react to the appearance of 'a rival king' claiming rulership over Judea.  Yet these carnal minds did not understand that Christ would not set up His kingdom from Jerusalem in their lifetimes, but at the end of the age.

There is something else they did not grasp:  when the Son of God does return, nothing can stop Him from establishing His world - ruling supergovernment - not Satan or his demons, and certainly not the armies and government of men!