Morning Bible Study: Luke 9:7-9

Herod’s Desire to See Jesus

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

8 some that Elijah had appeared, and others that one of the ancient prophets had risen. 

9 “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this I hear such things about?” And he wanted to see him.

Commentary

(the following is from Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary, 1706 -- www.christianity.com)

"The communicating of Christ's power to those who were sent forth in his name, and acted by authority from him, was an amazing and convincing proof of his being the Messiah, above anything else; that he could not only work miracles himself, but empower others to work miracles too, this spread his fame more than anything, and made the rays of this Sun of righteousness the stronger by the reflection of them even from the earth, from such mean [humble] illiterate men as the apostles were, who had nothing else to recommend them, or to raise any expectations from them, but that they had been with Jesus, Acts 4:13. 

1. The various speculations it raised among the people, who, though they thought not rightly, yet could not but think honorably, of our Lord Jesus, and that he was an extraordinary person, one come from the other world; that either John Baptist, who was lately persecuted and slain for the cause of God, or one of the old prophets, that had been persecuted and slain long since in that cause, was risen again,to be recompensed for his sufferings by this honor put upon him; or that Elias [Elijah], who was taken alive to heaven in a fiery chariot, had appeared as an express from heaven, v. 7, 8.

2. The great perplexity it created in the mind of Herod: When he had heard of all that was done by Christ, his guilty conscience flew in his face, and he was ready to conclude with them that John was risen from the dead. He thought he had got clear of John, and should never be troubled with him any more, but, it seems, he is mistaken; either John is come to life again or here is another in his spirit and power, for God will never leave himself without witness. 

Note, Those who oppose God will find themselves more and more embarrassed. However, he desired to see him, whether he resembled John or no; but he might soon have been put out of this pain if he would but have informed himself of that which thousands knew, that Jesus preached and wrought miracles, a great while before John was beheaded, and therefore could not be John raised from the dead. 

He desired to see him; and why did he not go and see him? Probably, because he thought it below him either to go to him or to send for him; he had enough of John Baptist, and cared not for having to do with any more such reprovers of sin. He desired to see him, but we do not find that ever he did, till he saw him at his bar, and then he and his men of war set him at nought, Lu. 23:11. Had he prosecuted his convictions now, and gone to see him, who knows but a happy change might have been wrought in him? But, delaying it now, his heart was hardened, and when he did see him he was as much prejudiced against him as any other."