Luke 9:9
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 question, "who is this?" isn't just simple curiosity; it’s a deep-seated unease born from guilt. He immediately links the growing fame of Jesus to the man he brutally executed, showing that the ghost of John the Baptist haunts his conscience. This hints at Herod's internal turmoil rather than a genuine desire for spiritual truth.
Jesus has just sent out his disciples to preach and heal, and their ministry is causing a stir. Herod, the ruler who beheaded John the Baptist, hears about Jesus' powerful deeds and becomes deeply unsettled, wondering if Jesus is John returned from the dead or someone else entirely. This verse captures Herod's fear and curiosity, leading him to seek Jesus out, though their encounter would not happen immediately.
Herod the tetrarch hears about Jesus and is deeply unsettled. What's behind his anxiety?
Herod's reaction isn't just simple curiosity; it's fueled by guilt. He'd recently beheaded John the Baptist, a prophet whose message likely pricked his conscience. When he hears about Jesus and the powerful deeds attributed to Him, his immediate thought is that John has returned from the dead. This isn't a rational deduction but a fearful projection of his own guilt onto the situation. His guilty conscience makes him susceptible to believing unsettling rumors, especially those that suggest divine retribution for his actions.
This fear shows how sin can warp our perception. Instead of seeking truth, Herod seeks to resolve his internal unease by trying to understand Jesus through the lens of his own wicked deed.
Herod wants to see Jesus. But what kind of encounter is he actually looking for?
Herod's desire to see Jesus is complex. It's not the earnest longing of a seeker of truth, but a fearful, perhaps even superstitious, curiosity. He's unsettled by the rumors and wants to witness this phenomenon for himself. The original Greek word, 'ezētei' (sought), implies a more active pursuit than simply 'desired.' He was actively looking for Jesus.
However, his motivation isn't to submit to Jesus or to learn from Him. He's driven by a need to reconcile the unsettling news with his own guilty conscience. He might be hoping Jesus is John returned, or perhaps he's hoping to see a spectacle that will either confirm his fears or alleviate them. It's a desire to see, not necessarily to understand or obey.
The fame of Jesus spreads far and wide, even reaching the ears of royalty. What does this tell us?
This interaction highlights how Jesus’s ministry was having a profound impact, not just on the common people but on all levels of society, even the ruling elite. The fact that 'all that was done by him' reached Herod’s ears shows the widespread nature of Jesus's fame. It wasn't confined to a few villages; it was news that couldn't be ignored.
Herod Antipas, already troubled by his conscience after executing John the Baptist, hears alarming reports about Jesus. His fear and curiosity lead him to seek Jesus, a desire only fulfilled years later during Jesus' trial.
c. AD 27-28
John the Baptist's Ministry
John the Baptist begins preaching and baptizing in the wilderness of Judea, calling people to repentance and announcing the imminent arrival of the Messiah.
c. AD 28— this verse
John the Baptist's Imprisonment and Execution
Herod Antipas imprisons John the Baptist for denouncing his unlawful marriage to Herodias. Later, at a feast, he has John beheaded at the demand of his stepdaughter Salome.
c. AD 28-29
Jesus' Ministry Gains Momentum
Jesus begins his public ministry, traveling and teaching, and performing miracles. His fame spreads rapidly throughout the region, reaching even Herod's court.
c. AD 30
Jesus Sent to Herod Antipas
During Jesus' trial before his crucifixion, Pilate sends Jesus to Herod Antipas, who is visiting Jerusalem. Herod questions Jesus but ultimately sends him back to Pilate.
This passage directly precedes Matthew's account of John the Baptist's beheading, providing the context for Herod's perplexity and his fear that Jesus is John risen from the dead.
Luke 23:7-11This passage shows Herod's desire to see Jesus fulfilled years later, but with a vastly different motivation and outcome, highlighting his persistent fear and the ultimate hardening of his heart.
John 3:3-11This passage records Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus about spiritual birth, which mirrors the theme of Jesus' divine nature being misunderstood and speculated about, similar to Herod's confusion.
Acts 19:3-5This passage shows that some disciples only knew of John's baptism and were unaware of the fuller revelation brought by Jesus, illustrating how people could hear 'such things' about Jesus without fully understanding who He was.
pulpitLuke 9:9: "And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him."
Verse 9. - And he desired to see him; that is, Jesus. The desire of Herod was gratified, but not then. He saw him the day of the Crucifixion, when Pilate sent him to Herod for judgment; but the tetrarch, weak and wicked though he was, declined the responsibility of shedding that blood, so he sent him back to the Roman governor. Here, in SS. Matthew and Mark, follows the dram…
ellicottLuke 9:9: "And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him."
(9) And he desired to see him. —St. Luke returns ( Luke 23:8 ) to the working of this desire, which he apparently knew from sources that were not within the reach of the other Evangelists.
Herod’s question, "who is this?" isn't just simple curiosity; it’s a deep-seated unease born from guilt. He immediately links the growing fame of Jesus to the man he brutally executed, showing that the ghost of John the Baptist haunts his conscience. This hints at Herod's internal turmoil rather than a genuine desire for spiritual truth.
Jesus has just sent out his disciples to preach and heal, and their ministry is causing a stir. Herod, the ruler who beheaded John the Baptist, hears about Jesus' powerful deeds and becomes deeply unsettled, wondering if Jesus is John returned from the dead or someone else entirely. This verse captures Herod's fear and curiosity, leading him to seek Jesus out, though their encounter would not happen immediately.
Jesus has just sent out his disciples to preach and heal, and their ministry is causing a stir. Herod, the ruler who beheaded John the Baptist, hears about Jesus' powerful deeds and becomes deeply unsettled, wondering if Jesus is John returned from the dead or someone else entirely. This verse captures Herod's fear and curiosity, leading him to seek Jesus out, though their encounter would not happen immediately.
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Luke includes this detail to emphasize that Jesus's influence was undeniable. The authorities, even a corrupt and fearful one like Herod, were aware of Him. This isn't just a story about Herod's internal struggle; it’s a testament to Jesus’s growing renown. It underscores that Jesus was not operating in obscurity; His fame was spreading, demanding attention and provoking reactions, both positive and negative.
"Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him." — Herod’s question, "who is this?" isn't just simple curiosity; it’s a deep-seated unease born from guilt. He immediately links the growing fame of Jesus to the man he brutally executed, showing that t…
