In referencing Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel a connection is being made between the individuals in Psalm 2 and the recent events that have taken place in Jerusalem. The kings of the earth
is applied to Herod and the rulers
to Pilate. The nations
refers to the Gentiles and the plotting peoples
is Israel. With their rejection of Jesus, the Jewish council align themselves with Gentile nations and thereby show that they are not truly God’s people.1 The inclusion of Israel among the foes of the Messiah shows the Christian understanding that insofar as the people of Israel reject Christ they can be ranked with unbelieving Gentiles.2
27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,