Luke 9:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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,

NIV: Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead,

NASB: Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening; and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead,

CSB: Herod the tetrarch heard about everything that was going on. He was perplexed, because some said that John had been raised from the dead,

NLT: When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about everything Jesus was doing, he was puzzled. Some were saying that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead.

KJV: Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;

NKJV: Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead,

Herod the tetrarch is Herod Antipas, one of many sons of Herod the Great. He rules over two disconnected territories: Galilee, north of Samaria and west of the Sea and the Jordan River; and Perea, east of Judea and Samaria. John is John the Baptist. John had publicly shamed Antipas for marrying his brother's wife Herodias. In return, Herodias used her daughter to trick Antipas into beheading John (Matthew 14:3–12). Antipas thinks Jesus is the resurrected John the Baptist (Matthew 14:2). The thought that a man he killed has returned with great power must terrify him.

Luke and Mark place Antipas's confusion after Jesus sends out the Twelve to perform miracles and preach the coming kingdom of God (Luke 9:1–6; Mark 6:7–16). It's not clear if this event is what drew Antipas's attention. It's possible Antipas's curiosity grew as Jesus expanded His own ministry—especially when Jesus raised the son of the widow of Nain. Her neighbors spread the news throughout the Jewish territories, calling Jesus "a great prophet" (Luke 7:11–17).

Luke and Matthew call Antipas a "tetrarch." This is his official designation, as he "rules" at the pleasure of the controlling Roman Empire. After Herod the Great died, his kingdom was divided into four regions. Antipas rules two areas which are considered part of the same tetrarchy. Mark calls Antipas "king" (Mark 6:14) and "herod" does mean "king," but by this time "Herod" is a family name. Antipas calls himself king partly because his wife Herodias wants to be a queen, but Caesar Augustus never gives Antipas that rank. Eventually, the couple's political aggressiveness lands them in exile.

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.