Luke 9:7 kjv

Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;

Luke 9:7 nkjv

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,

Luke 9:7 niv

Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead,

Luke 9:7 esv

Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead,

Luke 9:7 nlt

When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about everything Jesus was doing, he was puzzled. Some were saying that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead.

Luke 9 verses

Luke 9 7 Meaning

Luke 9:7 reveals the deep apprehension of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee, as reports of Jesus's extensive and miraculous ministry reached him. Haunted by his guilt over executing John the Baptist, Herod was profoundly disturbed and confused by widespread rumors suggesting that Jesus was John, resurrected from the dead. This verse vividly illustrates Herod's tormented conscience and the prevailing public speculation regarding Jesus's true identity.

Luke 9 7 Context

Luke 9 opens with Jesus empowering His twelve disciples with authority over demons and diseases, sending them forth to proclaim the Kingdom of God and heal. Their mission, involving extensive travel and performance of miracles, intensified the already widespread reports of Jesus's own remarkable ministry across Galilee. The combined impact of Jesus and His disciples generated undeniable public attention, eventually reaching the political figures like Herod Antipas, who ruled the region. Herod, previously responsible for the unjust imprisonment and execution of John the Baptist (a fact deeply detailed in Matthew 14 and Mark 6), carried the weight of this act. It is within this context of growing Messianic expectation, Jesus's expanding influence, and a ruler's troubled conscience that Herod becomes profoundly disquieted by the reports of Jesus's powerful acts.

Luke 9 7 Word analysis

• Now Herod: Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great. He ruled Galilee and Perea as a tetrarch from 4 BC to AD 39, known for political maneuvering and moral failings.
• the tetrarch: From Greek tetrarches (τετράρχης), signifying a ruler of a part of a kingdom. This title emphasizes his position as a Roman client ruler, wielding significant regional power, yet subordinate to Rome.
• heard: Greek akouō (ἀκούω). More than just hearing; it suggests being thoroughly informed or made aware, indicating the widespread and notable nature of Jesus's activities.
• of all that was done by Him: Refers to the entirety of Jesus's ministry, encompassing His powerful teachings, numerous miraculous healings, and authoritative exorcisms. The comprehensive nature of "all" underscores the pervasive impact of Jesus's work throughout Herod's jurisdiction.
• and he was much perplexed: Greek diaporeō (διαπορέω). A strong verb denoting profound bewilderment, intense doubt, and a state of being utterly at a loss. Herod faced a deep mental impasse, unable to rationally process the information through his existing framework.
• because that it was said by some: Indicates the circulation of various popular theories and speculations among the populace regarding Jesus's identity, highlighting the public's attempt to categorize Him.
• that John: John the Baptist, whom Herod had previously executed following an oath made during a banquet (Mark 6:21-29).
• was risen from the dead: This was the core source of Herod's alarm. While various Jewish groups held different beliefs about resurrection, the concept for Herod ignited a fear of divine judgment or retribution for his wrongful act against John.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him": This phrase highlights the far-reaching influence of Jesus's ministry, transcending common folk to impact powerful political figures. It sets the stage for a conflict between Christ's spiritual authority and the established worldly power. Herod, despite his status, could not remain oblivious to the phenomena surrounding Jesus.
• "he was much perplexed": This emphasizes Herod's inner turmoil, signifying deep mental and emotional distress. His prior guilt over John's murder likely intensified his confusion about Jesus's powers, transforming intellectual bewilderment into existential dread. This spiritual disquiet was a hallmark of his unrepentant state.
• "because that it was said by some, that John was risen from the dead": This specific detail identifies the root cause of Herod's profound consternation. The popular theory connecting Jesus to a resurrected John struck directly at Herod's guilty conscience, evoking fear of divine justice. It also showcases the people's difficulty in comprehending Jesus, ascribing Him an identity that, while powerful, fell short of His true nature.

Luke 9 7 Bonus section

• Herod's reaction in this verse (perplexity) differs from his later reaction to Jesus (Luke 23:8), where he desires a sign, reflecting a transition from fearful conscience to cynical curiosity without repentance.
• The fact that people thought Jesus was John, Elijah, or a prophet (Luke 9:19) illustrates Israel's longing for a divinely sent figure, even if they couldn't grasp Jesus's full messianic and divine identity.
• Herod's internal turmoil validates the principle of conscience at work (Rom 2:15). Even a corrupt ruler cannot entirely escape the inner voice that bears witness to sin and its consequences.
• The spread of "all that was done by Him" confirms the undeniable impact and scale of Jesus's public ministry, which became impossible for authorities to overlook.

Luke 9 7 Commentary

Luke 9:7 is a concise yet profound account of Herod Antipas's reaction to Jesus's ministry. His deep "perplexity" stems directly from his tormented conscience regarding the execution of John the Baptist. The widespread rumors that Jesus was a resurrected John awakened Herod's guilt, causing him profound spiritual unease rather than just political concern. This verse underscores that God's work, as demonstrated through Jesus, could not be contained or ignored, even by ruling powers. It serves as a reminder that human actions, particularly sinful ones, often come with internal repercussions. While Herod's initial reaction was fear-driven perplexity, this never led to genuine repentance, eventually shifting to mere curiosity (Luke 23:8). The verse vividly portrays how sin can disturb even the most powerful individuals and highlights the common human tendency to misunderstand or misidentify Christ, seeing Him through the lens of existing ideas rather than His unique identity.