Luke 9:7-9
Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Herod’s perplexity isn't just confusion; it's the anxious stirring of a guilty conscience. The whispers that John the Baptist had returned from the dead weren't just speculation; for Herod, they were terrifying echoes of his own wicked deed.
Jesus has just sent out his twelve disciples, who are now performing miracles and spreading his name throughout the land. This surge of activity and reported healings has reached the ears of Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee. Because Herod had recently executed John the Baptist, rumors are swirling that John has been raised from the dead, causing him deep confusion and unease.
Why would news of Jesus' powerful ministry send a ruler into a panic? It wasn't just the miracles; it was the echoes of his own dark deeds.
Herod Antipas, the ruler hearing about Jesus, was not just a political figure; he was a man haunted by his past. He had brutally executed John the Baptist because John condemned his unlawful marriage. When reports of Jesus' ministry, often accompanied by divine power, reached Herod, his guilty conscience immediately connected the dots.
Instead of seeking truth, his immediate reaction was fear and perplexity. The idea that John the Baptist had risen from the dead wasn't a genuine theological exploration for Herod, but a terrifying possibility born from his own wrongdoing. He was 'perplexed' (Greek: 'diaporei') – utterly bewildered, unable to settle on any firm conclusion because his inner turmoil wouldn't let him.
This shows us that a troubled conscience can twist even good news into a source of anxiety. When we're hiding sin, the light of God's work elsewhere can feel like an accusation, making us restless and confused.
When people saw Jesus' power, they debated: Was it John the Baptist? Elijah? A prophet? Why such confusion, and what does it reveal about their spiritual state?
The speculation surrounding Jesus' identity highlights a crucial point: people often interpret the divine through the lens of what they already know or fear. For Herod and the people, Jesus’ miracles didn’t immediately lead to recognizing the promised Messiah. Instead, they fell back on familiar figures:
This diffusion of identity shows how resistance to God’s full revelation can lead to a spiritual fog. Instead of seeing Jesus for who He truly is, people projected their hopes, fears, and preconceived notions onto Him, demonstrating how easily truth can be missed when hearts are not open.
Understand the original words
tetrarchēs · Greek Noun
A ruler of a fourth part of a province, specifically referring to Herod Antipas in this context; a title denoting subordinate Roman authority.
diaporeō · Greek Verb
A state of mental confusion or being at a loss; an inability to understand the significance of events, often characterized by anxiety or doubt.
Herod Antipas's deep unease stems from a guilty conscience. Having beheaded John the Baptist, the resurfacing of a powerful prophetic voice like Jesus' triggers his fear, fueling speculation that John himself has returned from the dead.
c. 20 BC
Herod the Great's Reign
Herod the Great, a powerful client king of Rome, ruled Judea. He initiated massive building projects and political maneuvering.
4 BC
Death of Herod the Great
Upon Herod the Great's death, his kingdom was divided among his sons, including Herod Antipas, who became tetrarch of Galilee and Perea.
c. AD 27-28
John the Baptist's Ministry
John the Baptist began his public ministry, preaching repentance and baptizing in the Jordan River. His message challenged the religious and political establishment.
c. AD 28-30
Herod Antipas Imprisons John the Baptist
Herod Antipas imprisoned John the Baptist for denouncing his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother's former wife.
c. AD 30
This passage is a parallel account where Herod Antipas himself expresses the belief that Jesus is John the Baptist raised from the dead, directly linking Herod's perplexity to this specific identification.
Mark 6:14-16Similar to Matthew, Mark's Gospel records Herod's own words, stating he beheaded John and that is why Jesus performs miracles, highlighting the direct connection between Herod's guilt and his interpretation of Jesus' power.
1 Kings 17:17-24This Old Testament account of Elijah raising a widow's son showcases the Jewish expectation of resurrections by prophets, providing context for why some might have thought John, a prophet, had been raised.
Malachi 4:5This prophecy about Elijah's return before the "great and dreadful day of the LORD" explains the other possibility mentioned (that Jesus was Elijah), showing how prevailing Messianic expectations influenced people's understanding of Jesus' identity.
Luke 23:7-11This passage describes Herod Antipas encountering Jesus during His trial, revealing how Herod's earlier curiosity and perplexity evolved into a desire to see Jesus, but ultimately led to mocking rather than belief.
pulpitLuke 9:7: "Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;"
Verses 7-9. - Herod's terror. Verse 7. - Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him. This was Herod Antipas; he was a son of Herod the Great; his mother's name was Malthace. After his father's death he became tetrareh or prince-ruler of Galilee, Peraea, and of a fourth part of the Roman province of Syria. His first wife wa…
barnesLuke 9:7: "Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;"
See the notes at Matthew 14:1-2 . Compare Mark 6:14-16 .
Herod’s perplexity isn't just confusion; it's the anxious stirring of a guilty conscience. The whispers that John the Baptist had returned from the dead weren't just speculation; for Herod, they were terrifying echoes of his own wicked deed.
Jesus has just sent out his twelve disciples, who are now performing miracles and spreading his name throughout the land. This surge of activity and reported healings has reached the ears of Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee. Because Herod had recently executed John the Baptist, rumors are swirling that John has been raised from the dead, causing him deep confusion and unease.
Jesus has just sent out his twelve disciples, who are now performing miracles and spreading his name throughout the land. This surge of activity and reported healings has reached the ears of Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee. Because Herod had recently executed John the Baptist, rumors are swirling that John has been raised from the dead, causing him deep confusion and unease.
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Beheading of John the Baptist
Herod Antipas ordered the execution of John the Baptist, likely at the urging of Herodias, to silence his criticisms and appease his stepdaughter.
c. AD 30-32— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Fame Grows
Jesus' ministry expanded, with His miracles and teachings drawing large crowds, making His name widely known throughout the region.
c. AD 31
Herod Antipas Learns of Jesus
Herod Antipas heard reports of Jesus' activities and miracles, leading to confusion and perplexity, with some speculating John the Baptist had been raised from the dead.
"Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen…" — Herod’s perplexity isn't just confusion; it's the anxious stirring of a guilty conscience. The whispers that John the Baptist had returned from the dead weren't just speculation; for Herod, they were…
