Knowing The Word in Luke 9:7-9

Herod Is Perplexed by Jesus

9:7 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, 8 by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. 9 Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.

Comments

How has Herod heard about Jesus? Is he getting the inside scoop? In chapter 8 we read about Chuza’s wife, Joanna, being a follower of Jesus and Chuza being Herod’s household manager. Yet Herod was perplexed in what he heard because Jesus sounded a lot like John the baptizer whom he had put to death. Many people wondered about who Jesus really was, including a rumor that Elijah would reappear based on a prophecy in Malachi 4:5 about messianic expectations: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.”

Why would Herod the tetrarch want to see Jesus? Perhaps like his father, Herod the Great, he was fearful of a rival. Herod the tetrarch did finally see Jesus the morning of the day Jesus was put to death, but by that time he had lost interest in him, likely because he knew Jesus’ end was imminent. “Why take time to get to know someone at that point,” Herod the tetrarch may have been thinking.

Application

Herod could have gotten to know Jesus. He could easily have demanded that Jesus come to see him during Jesus’ Galilean ministry, but he did not take advantage at that time. Is there something in your faith life that you are not taking advantage of to get to know Jesus better? Lent is a good time to be more disciplined in prayer, Bible reading, worship, small group participation, and having a quiet time to grow closer to Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, help me to take advantage of my relationship with you. Guide and govern me by your Holy Spirit, that I might not forget you, but remember I am always in your sight and you are always walking with me.