Luke 9:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Herod said, "John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?" And he sought to see him.

NIV: But Herod said, "I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?" And he tried to see him.

NASB: Herod said, 'I myself had John beheaded; but who is this man about whom I hear such things?' And he kept trying to see Him.

CSB: "I beheaded John," Herod said, "but who is this I hear such things about?" And he wanted to see him.

NLT: I beheaded John,' Herod said, 'so who is this man about whom I hear such stories?' And he kept trying to see him.

KJV: And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

NKJV: Herod said, “John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?” So he sought to see Him.

Herod Antipas is the ruler over Galilee—where Jesus primarily performs His public ministry—and Perea, near where John the Baptist preached and baptized. Antipas has likely heard that Jesus healed a leper (Luke 5:12–16), healed a paralytic (Luke 5:17–26), raised a widow's son from the dead (Luke 7:11–17), raised a young girl from the dead (Luke 8:40–56), and enabled His disciples to have the same healing powers (Matthew 10:1; Luke 9:1, 6). When Luke records the women who support Jesus financially, he includes "Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager" (Luke 8:3). It's unclear if Antipas knows he has this close connection to the man who elicits such curiosity.

Though Antipas is confused about the identity of Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus knows exactly who Antipas is. He is the son of Herod the Great, who tried to kill Jesus when He was an infant. He is the man who married his brother's wife and joined her quest for political greatness. He is the man who arrested and killed Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist. For his weak but corrupt character, Jesus calls him a fox (Luke 13:32) and obliquely refers to him as a "reed shaken by the wind" (Matthew 11:7).

After Luke recounts the feeding of the thousands (Luke 9:10–17), which is also associated with the ministry of the Twelve (Luke 9:1–6), he records Jesus questioning the disciples about His identity. First, He asks whom the crowds think He is. The disciples reply: John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the Old Testament prophets. Then He asks the Twelve whom they think He is. Peter responds, "The Christ of God" (Luke 9:18–20).

Between Jesus' arrest and the crucifixion, Antipas will get a chance to meet Him. Despite his questions, however, Jesus will refuse to answer (Luke 23:6–12). God sent prophets, like John, to ready the people for God's work. If they reject the prophets, they'll reject God (Luke 16:29–31; Acts 7:51–53).

In Luke 9:7–9, Luke pauses his discussion of Jesus' display of power to comment on Herod Antipas' confusion. Herod has heard of Jesus but doesn't know who He is. In his court, some say He is John the Baptist, Elijah, or another prophet of old. Herod's uncertainty will continue until he has an opportunity to interview Jesus. On the morning of Christ's crucifixion, the self-styled king Herod meets the King of creation (Luke 23:6–12). His question, however, is one many struggle with (Luke 9:18–20). Matthew 14:1–12 and Mark 6:14–29 also record Antipas' confusion along with accounts of his murder of John the Baptist.

Luke 9 completes Jesus' Galilean ministry and begins describing His journey towards Jerusalem. Jesus gives His disciples miraculous power and commissions them to preach. The empowerment thrills the disciples but confuses Herod Antipas. A hungry crowd of thousands and hard teachings about following Jesus, however, shows the disciples' faith is short-lived. The transfiguration and the demonized boy precede stories of the disciples' continued confusion. They still struggle to accurately represent Jesus. Luke 9:51–62 begins the "travelogue" (Luke 9:51—19:27) with examples of the patience and sacrifice needed to represent Jesus as His followers.

Luke 9 straddles the two major sections biblical scholars call "Jesus' Galilean Ministry" (Luke 4:14—9:50) and "The Travelogue to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51—19:27). The Galilean ministry alternates calls to discipleship with stories on Jesus' authority and teachings. The travelogue records what Jesus did and taught to prepare the disciples for His crucifixion. After a final group of stories on how to respond to Jesus (Luke 9:51—11:13) and several examples of how the Jewish religious leaders reject Jesus (Luke 11:14–54), Luke presents Jesus' teaching on the kingdom of God (Luke 12:1—19:27).

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.