Luke 23 8

Luke 23:8 kjv

And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.

Luke 23:8 nkjv

Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him.

Luke 23:8 niv

When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort.

Luke 23:8 esv

When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him.

Luke 23:8 nlt

Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle.

Luke 23 verses

Luke 23 8 Meaning

Luke 23:8 depicts Herod Antipas' reaction upon encountering Jesus during His trial. Herod was immensely pleased because he had harbored a long-standing desire to see Jesus, having heard extensively about Him. However, his underlying motive for this eagerness was a hope to witness Jesus perform a miracle or "sign" for his amusement or validation, rather than seeking spiritual truth or repentance. This reveals a superficial and curious disposition, viewing Jesus as a source of entertainment.

Luke 23 8 Context

Luke 23:8 occurs during the trial of Jesus. After His arrest, Jesus was first brought before the Sanhedrin (Lk 22:66-71) and then before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor (Lk 23:1-7). When Pilate discovered that Jesus was from Galilee, a region under Herod Antipas' jurisdiction, he decided to send Jesus to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem for the Passover festival. This act by Pilate was possibly a political maneuver to defer responsibility or perhaps to flatter Herod. The verse captures Herod's reaction upon this unexpected but welcomed encounter with Jesus, whom he had previously heard much about, having already executed John the Baptist and being perplexed by reports of Jesus. This part of the trial further demonstrates Jesus' innocence, as both Pilate and Herod find no fault in Him warranting death, yet their actions lead to His crucifixion.

Luke 23 8 Word analysis

• When Herod saw Jesus (Ἰδοὺ ὁ Ἡρῴδης τὸν Ἰησοῦν):
  • Herod (Ἡρῴδης - Hērōdēs): Specifically Herod Antipas, one of Herod the Great's sons, ruler (tetrarch) of Galilee and Perea. Historically known for his complex character, superstition, and political cunning, he previously beheaded John the Baptist.
  • saw (ἰδὼν - idōn): From the Greek verb horao, meaning to see, perceive, behold. This implies a direct, visual encounter.
  • This phrase establishes the principal characters and the direct interaction, setting the stage for Herod's subsequent reaction.
• he was greatly pleased (ἐχάρη λίαν - echarē lian):
  • greatly pleased (ἐχάρη λίαν - echarē lian): echarē (aorist of chairō) means "he rejoiced" or "he was glad." lian means "very much" or "exceedingly."
  • This denotes intense delight or joy, but crucially, it is a pleasure rooted in curiosity and sensationalism, not spiritual conviction or awe. It indicates superficial happiness derived from seeing a celebrity or spectacle.
• because for a long time (ἐκ πολλῶν χρόνων - ek pollōn chronōn):
  • for a long time (ἐκ πολλῶν χρόνων - ek pollōn chronōn): Literally "out of many times/years."
  • This emphasizes the sustained duration of Herod's anticipation, building up his desire. It suggests that Jesus had been a significant topic of discussion or interest for quite a while in his court.
• he had been wanting to see him (ἤθελεν ἰδεῖν αὐτὸν - ēthelen idein auton):
  • wanting (ἤθελεν - ēthelen): From thelō, meaning to wish, desire, will. The imperfect tense indicates a continuous or repeated desire.
  • to see him (ἰδεῖν αὐτὸν - idein auton): To physically see Him.
  • This reiterates the nature of his long-standing desire—a personal wish to behold Jesus, fueled by something other than faith.
• having heard much about him (ἀκούων περὶ αὐτοῦ πολλὰ - akouōn peri autou polla):
  • having heard (ἀκούων - akouōn): A participle from akouō, meaning to hear. This emphasizes that his knowledge of Jesus was primarily auditory, based on reports and rumors.
  • much (πολλὰ - polla): Implies extensive information, covering Jesus' teachings, miracles, and public activity.
  • This phrase explains the basis of his desire; the reports he received about Jesus (especially miracles) fueled his interest and expectation.
• and he was hoping (καὶ ἤλπιζέν - kai ēlpizen):
  • hoping (ἤλπιζεν - ēlpizen): From elpizō, meaning to hope, expect. The imperfect tense indicates a continuous or established expectation.
  • Herod held an expectation about what this meeting would entail. The nature of his "hope" here is not positive or redemptive; it's self-serving.
• to see him perform some sign (τι σημεῖον ἰδεῖν ὑπ' αὐτοῦ γινόμενον - ti sēmeion idein hyp' autou ginomenon):
  • sign (σημεῖον - sēmeion): Meaning a sign, miracle, wonder, extraordinary event.
  • perform (γινόμενον - ginomenon): From ginomai, meaning to come into being, to happen, to occur, here implying a public demonstration.
  • Herod's core motivation is laid bare here. He sought a miraculous display, an exhibition of power, akin to entertainment or proof for his own curiosity. He did not seek spiritual guidance, forgiveness, or the truth about God's kingdom.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased": This immediate reaction of joy, when combined with the subsequent phrases, underscores the superficiality of Herod's disposition. His pleasure is born not of reverence or recognition of divine authority, but of curiosity and the thrill of potential entertainment.
• "because for a long time he had been wanting to see him, having heard much about him": This clause provides the motivation for Herod's pleasure. His long-standing desire, fueled by extensive reports, indicates that Jesus had gained notoriety even within Herod's court. It highlights that Herod’s interest was sustained by reputation rather than any personal, faith-driven encounter.
• "and he was hoping to see him perform some sign": This pivotal phrase reveals the ultimate aim of Herod’s desire. The Greek term sēmeion (sign) refers to a miraculous act, but in Herod’s mind, it was for a spectacle, similar to a magician's trick, rather than a divine demonstration meant to confirm truth or prompt faith. His hope was self-centered and aligned with the "lust of the eyes" (1 Jn 2:16), seeking entertainment.

Luke 23 8 Bonus section

• The Jewish people, notably Pharisees, often demanded a "sign" (as seen in Mt 12:38, 1 Cor 1:22), and Jesus consistently refused to perform miracles on demand for mere amusement or to satisfy unbelieving curiosity, stating that only the "sign of Jonah" (His death and resurrection) would be given. Herod’s demand aligns with this general demand, to which Jesus refused to pander.
• Herod Antipas’s interaction with John the Baptist (Mk 6:20) presented a similar pattern of a powerful ruler listening to a prophet, even respecting him to a degree, yet ultimately succumbing to his own desires and societal pressures, leading to the prophet's death. This established precedent makes Herod's superficial approach to Jesus here tragically consistent with his character.
• Luke’s emphasis on Herod's pleasure and his desire for a sign serves a theological purpose: to highlight how worldly authority (both Roman in Pilate and Jewish client-kingdom in Herod) responded to Christ with political expediency, indifference, or mere amusement, all falling short of recognizing His divine nature.

Luke 23 8 Commentary

Luke 23:8 offers a sharp portrayal of spiritual indifference masked by curious excitement. Herod Antipas, despite hearing extensively about Jesus and genuinely desiring to meet Him for a long time, fundamentally misunderstood the nature of Jesus' mission and identity. His pleasure in seeing Jesus was not borne of a seeking heart, humility, or even a deep moral conviction, but a frivolous and sensation-driven curiosity. He yearned to see a "sign"—a miracle performed like a show or magical trick—rather than the Savior of the world. This motivation places him among those who witnessed divine power but chose not to believe or repent. His superficiality is evident in his quick transition from initial pleasure to contemptuous mockery when Jesus refused to engage in his requested "sign" (Lk 23:11). The episode underscores the truth that mere exposure to religious phenomena or even genuine interest is not equivalent to saving faith, which requires humility, recognition of sin, and surrender to Christ's lordship. It serves as a warning against reducing the divine to mere entertainment or intellectual curiosity.