Explosive Pole who ordered a death penalty? (5)
I believe the answer is:
herod
'explosive pole who ordered a death penalty?' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'explosive pole' is the wordplay.
'explosive' becomes 'he' (abbreviation for high explosive).
'pole' becomes 'rod' (synonyms).
'he'+'rod'='HEROD'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for herod that I've seen before include "King of Judaea, temple builder" , "King of Judea in the time of Jesus" , "Biblical king of Judea" , "Infanticidal king" , "Christ was born in the reign of . . . . . the Great (5)" .)