Luke 9:7

Luke 9:7, in plain English

When Herod the ruler heard about everything that was happening, he was confused and troubled. Some were saying that John the Baptist had risen from the dead.

Why it's here

Herod had a guilty conscience. He had killed John the Baptist, and now reports of another powerful preacher made him nervous. When you have done wrong, even good news can feel threatening.

Who's speaking

Luke describes Herod's troubled reaction to the reports about Jesus.

Where it sits in the story

Word about Jesus' miracles reached the highest levels of power. Herod, the man who had killed John the Baptist, was shaken by rumors that John had somehow come back to life.

The scholarly reading

Herod Antipas, the tetrarchēs ('tetrarch'), hears about ta ginomena panta ('all that was happening') and is diēporei ('perplexed/at a loss'). Speculation that Iōannēs ēgerthē ek nekrōn ('John has risen from the dead') reveals popular categories for understanding Jesus' powerful ministry.

Language and setting

Herod's perplexity introduces the question of Jesus' identity that will culminate in Peter's confession (9:20). The suggestion that John the Baptist had risen reflects both popular resurrection beliefs and Herod's guilty conscience after executing John.

Voice

Luke narrates Herod's reaction to the reports about Jesus' ministry.

Significance

As news of Jesus' expanding ministry reached Herod Antipas, the tetrarch was deeply confused. Some people speculated that John the Baptist, whom Herod had beheaded, had come back from the dead.

5If anyone does not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that town, as a testimony against them.”

6So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.

7When Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, he was perplexed. For some were saying that John had risen from the dead,

8others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that a prophet of old had arisen.

9“I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this man I hear such things about?” And he kept trying to see Jesus.

Read all of Luke 9 — Peter confesses, the Transfiguration blazes, and Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem. Everything from here moves toward the cross.