9:7 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, 8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. 9 Herod said, “John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?” So he sought to see Him.
Hearing of Jesus’ ministry, beginning at verse 7, Herod feared that John the Baptist had been resurrected (Luke 9:7-9). This pericope unfolds Luke’s narrative of Jesus’ rising public ministry.
9:7
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 Antipas (4 BC-39 AD), the son of Herod the Great, heard about all that Jesus had done and speculated that He was John the Baptist resurrected from the dead, whom he had put to death. As tetrarch, he was responsible for the region of Galilee.
9:8
and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.
Other theories about Jesus rose from the crowds. Some speculated that Elijah had been raised from the dead or that Jesus was one of the old prophets, but His offer of establishing the kingdom was far more than what the prophets had offered.
9:9
Herod said, “John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?” So he sought to see Him.
Herod sought means to meet Jesus personally (Lu 7:18-23). He wanted to kill Jesus (Lu 13:31).
PRINCIPLE:
The ultimate question anyone can ask is the question of who Jesus is.
APPLICATION:
The response to the question of who Jesus is will determine one’s eternal destiny. This is the ultimate question one can ask oneself.
