Bible Study series: Luke 9:7-9. Herod was speculating about who the Messiah was.
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In the next link to the original chapter, I comment more and offer the Greek text. At the bottom you will find a “Summary and Conclusion” section geared toward discipleship. Check it out!
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Scripture: Luke 9:7-9
7 Herod the tetrarch heard everything that was happening and was very perplexed because of what was said by some that he was John raised from the dead; 8 by others that Elijah has appeared; by others that a prophet of old has arisen. 9 Herod said, “I beheaded John! But who is the man about whom I heard such things?” He was trying to see him. (Luke 9:7-9)
Comments:
7-9:
Herod: He was tetrarch of Galilee in the north, who was also Herod the Great’s son and was co-named Antipas. He ruled over Galilee and Perea from 4 B.C. to A.D. 30. Herod was curious and confused about Jesus (Luke 9:7-9). The Pharisees used Herod’s name to spook Jesus to run away, but the Lord would have none of it, calling him a fox (Luke 13:31-32). Herod was in Jerusalem during the Passover during Jesus’ trial. Pilate sent Jesus to him because he found out Jesus was a Galilean and under Herod’s jurisdiction (Luke 23:6). He plied him with many questions, hoping to see a sign, but Jesus did not answer (23:9). Herod and his soldiers ridiculed him, dressed him in an elegant robe, and sent him back to Pilate (23:10).
“heard”: it is in the past that is usually is completed in the past (aorist), while “was perplexed” is in the imperfect tense or incomplete past (imperfect means “incomplete,” as if it carries on to the present). So Herod heard, and then spent some time figuring out the reports.
These guesses—John, Elijah, a prophet of old—will be repeated in vv. 18-20 with the disciples. Rumors take on a life of their own, but here the three same persons implies an educated guess, at least. They speak of Messianic expectation, and the people believed in the resurrection from the dead and were expecting Elijah to return, as Malachi predicted (Mal. 4:5-6).
Judaism at this time commonly believed that a former prophet would reappear, like Moses, Jeremiah, or Isaiah. (Matthew’s account adds Jeremiah as an option, 16:14). This belief in the return of the prophets shows that the people were honoring Jesus.
Where did Luke get this information about Herod’s confusion? Who knew about his inner court? The informant was probably Joanna, who was a follower of Jesus and was married to (or a widow of) Chuza, Herod’s estate manager (Luke 8:2-3). She knew about his inner court.
Herod himself did not behead John, so some translate the clause: “I had John beheaded.”
“He was trying to see him”: some translate: “So Herod wanted to learn about Jesus.” But my translation is literal (and many others translations have the same as mine).
GrowApp for Luke 9:7-9
1. Herod was confused and perplexed about Jesus. You may have been confused about him before clarity came and you followed the true Jesus. Tell your story.
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SOURCES
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