Luke 23:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him.

NIV: When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort.

NASB: Now Herod was overjoyed when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him.

CSB: Herod was very glad to see Jesus; for a long time he had wanted to see him because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by him.

NLT: Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle.

KJV: And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.

NKJV: Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him.

Herod Antipas is the "tetrarch" over Galilee and Perea. He is the son of Herod the Great. Here, he finally gets a chance to meet Jesus. Although he is the ruler of the territory where Jesus has spent most of His ministry, Antipas's palace is in Perea, on the other side of the Jordan River and Dead Sea from Judea. His loyal followers have been trying to destroy Jesus for years (Mark 3:6), but Antipas knows Jesus only by reputation.

Antipas does know that Jesus is somehow associated with John the Baptist. John baptized in or around Perea and regularly condemned Antipas for his relationship with Herodias, who had divorced Antipas's brother Philip. Herodias hated John and convinced Antipas to arrest him, but Antipas would not kill John. He liked to hear John's teaching and he feared both John and the people who believed John was a prophet (Matthew 14:1–12). Eventually, Herodias's machinations forced Antipas to have John beheaded (Mark 6:17–29).

Antipas heard of Jesus' ministry after John had died. Members of his court speculated that Jesus was Elijah or a new prophet in the same fashion as those from the Jewish Scriptures. Antipas believed John had risen from the dead (Mark 6:14–16). Antipas wants to meet with Jesus, to see who He is and witness for himself some of the miracles Jesus performs. That doesn't mean Antipas's curiosity is benevolent. At one point the Pharisees warned Jesus that Antipas wanted to kill Him. Jesus called Antipas a "fox," and then said He had work to do but then He would go to Jerusalem where Antipas would get his wish (Luke 13:31–33).

In Luke 23:6–12, Pilate discovers Jesus is from Galilee. So, he sends Him to Herod Antipas who is also in Jerusalem. The Sanhedrin charged Jesus with crimes which Pilate thinks are meaningless. Pilate hopes Antipas can uncover the truth (Luke 23:1–5). Antipas is delighted to have a chance to speak with Jesus. But he becomes disappointed when Jesus refuses to speak—even as council members shout their accusations. Antipas returns Jesus to Pilate, and the two become fast friends, although Pilate still has the Sanhedrin to deal with. Luke is the only gospel writer to include Jesus' trial before Antipas.

Luke 23 records the remaining trials, death, and burial of Jesus Christ. He is examined by the Roman governor and the local appointed King, neither of whom are interested in passing a death sentence. Local religious leaders incite the crowd, pressuring the governor, Pilate, to authorize crucifixion. Jesus accepts the faith of another condemned man and dies. Joseph of Arimathea asks for Jesus body and buries it in a tomb cut from rock.

Luke 23 records Jesus' civil trials, crucifixion, and burial. The members of the Sanhedrin have put Jesus through three trials in their attempt to convince Pilate He's a threat (Luke 22:47–71). Their case is weak, but their political influence is powerful enough to force Pilate's hand. Jesus is executed. Three days after Joseph of Arimathea buries Jesus, Jesus reappears on the road to Emmaus where He explains Messianic prophecies in Jewish Scriptures. After spending time with His followers, Jesus ascends into heaven (Luke 24) and the disciples build the church (Acts).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.