Luke 9:7-9

Applebury's Comments

The Reaction of Herod the Tetrarch
Scripture

Luke 9:7-9 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done: and he was much perplexed, because that it was said by some, that John was risen from the dead; 8 and by some, that Elijah had appeared; and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. 9 And Herod said, John I beheaded: but who is this, about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him.

Comments

he was perplexed.Herod who had beheaded John the Baptist was disturbed by the reports he was hearing about the miracles of Jesus. Some tried to explain them by assuming that He was Elijah or one of the old prophets who had been raised from the dead (Malachi 4:5; Deuteronomy 18:15). Some were saying that He was John who had risen. Herod seems to have accepted this view for a time, for his disturbed conscience was searching for an answer to its guilt. He decided to kill Jesus too, assuming that that would ease his conscience (Luke 13:31). The only thing, however, that cleanses an evil conscience is the blood of Christ that was shed on Calvary (Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:22; 1 Peter 3:21).

But Herod's conscience didn-'t bother him very long, for when Pilate sent Jesus to him during the trial he was exceeding glad: for he was of a long time desirous to see him, because he had heard concerning him; and he hoped to see some miracle done by him (Luke 23:8).