Luke 9:9 kjv

And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

Luke 9:9 nkjv

Herod said, "John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?" So he sought to see Him.

Luke 9:9 niv

But Herod said, "I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?" And he tried to see him.

Luke 9:9 esv

Herod said, "John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?" And he sought to see him.

Luke 9:9 nlt

"I beheaded John," Herod said, "so who is this man about whom I hear such stories?" And he kept trying to see him.

Luke 9 verses

Luke 9 9 Meaning

Luke 9:9 captures the internal turmoil of Herod Antipas upon hearing about Jesus's miraculous deeds. Having recently executed John the Baptist, Herod is haunted by a troubled conscience and a fear that Jesus might be John resurrected, Elijah, or another great prophet. This verse highlights his perplexity and reveals his superficial curiosity; he desires to see Jesus not for spiritual conviction or genuine inquiry into the truth, but out of a mix of apprehension, superstition, and a craving for spectacle or an explanation for the unsettling reports.

Luke 9 9 Context

Luke 9:9 appears shortly after Jesus had sent out the twelve disciples with authority and power over demons and diseases (Luke 9:1-6). The reports of their ministry, combined with Jesus's own widespread teaching and miracles, had reached throughout Galilee. This verse immediately follows Luke 9:7-8, where Herod Antipas, the tetrarch, hears of these events and becomes utterly perplexed. He dismisses the idea that Jesus is John the Baptist, whom he himself had beheaded, but then wonders if Jesus is Elijah or one of the prophets resurrected. Luke 9:9, therefore, depicts Herod's immediate personal reaction: a mix of conviction (acknowledging his past crime), deep confusion, and a burgeoning, unsettling desire to encounter this remarkable individual. This episode serves to highlight how Jesus's identity was a matter of significant public discussion, even at the highest political levels, contrasting worldly understanding with divine truth, which is revealed only to those with spiritual sight.

Luke 9 9 Word Analysis

• And (Καί - kai): This simple conjunction connects Herod's personal response directly to the public rumors and his prior internal perplexity (Lk 9:7-8). It signifies an immediate progression of thought, almost as if the previous reports compelled this definitive internal declaration.

• Herod (Ἡρῴδης - Hērōidēs): Refers to Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, son of Herod the Great. His name immediately brings to mind his ruthlessness, his troubled relationship with John the Baptist, and his complex political maneuvering under Roman rule. His personal name underscores the highly personal nature of his guilt and fear.

• said (εἶπεν - eipen): A simple past tense verb, indicating a direct statement. It can imply both an audible utterance to his court or a strong internal declaration to himself. Given the subsequent personal seeking, an internal contemplation is highly likely.

• John (Ἰωάννην - Iōannēn): Refers to John the Baptist. His inclusion is paramount as he represents the figure whom Herod believed he had definitively eliminated, highlighting Herod’s attempts to suppress the truth.

• I beheaded (ἀπεκεφάλισα - apekephalisa): A strong aorist verb, literally "I cut off the head." This is Herod's chilling confession, a direct acknowledgement of his own role in John's death. It speaks to his deep, unresolved guilt and the lasting impression John had made on him, so much so that he projects John's potential resurrection onto Jesus. This act serves as a dark backdrop to his reaction to Jesus.

• but who (τίς δέ - tis de): The Greek interrogative tis (who) combined with de (but) indicates a strong contrast and perplexity. Having dealt with John, this "who" signifies a new, unanticipated, and profoundly disturbing challenge to his authority and peace of mind.

• is this (ἐστιν οὗτος - estin houtos): This points directly to Jesus. Herod's question is existential for him – trying to categorize and thus control what he perceives as a new threat or a spiritual echo of his past crime.

• of whom I hear such things (περὶ οὗ ἀκούω τοιαῦτα - peri hou akouō toiauta): This phrase emphasizes the extensive and remarkable nature of Jesus's reputation. The phrase "such things" suggests the miracles, teachings, and perhaps the authority Jesus demonstrated, which were so impactful they reached even the corridors of power. It signifies secondhand knowledge, fueling his uncertainty and curiosity.

• And he sought (καὶ ἐζήτει - kai ezētei): The imperfect tense suggests an ongoing or repeated action—Herod's desire to see Jesus was persistent from this point onward. This was not a fleeting thought but a compelling pursuit. The verb ezētei implies a searching or craving.

• to see Him (ἰδεῖν αὐτόν - idein auton): The purpose of his seeking. Unlike genuine spiritual seeking (e.g., Zacchaeus wanting to see Jesus to believe, Lk 19:3), Herod's desire was rooted in a carnal, political, and superstitious motivation. He wanted to "see" (ἔτεον - idein can imply mere physical sight, or perhaps discerning what He was truly about, but from a purely human standpoint) Him to satisfy his morbid curiosity, allay his fears, or possibly for political assessment.

• Words-Group Analysis:

  • "John I beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?": This dramatic juxtaposition perfectly encapsulates Herod's inner conflict. His direct confession of the beheading stands in stark contrast to his utter bewilderment regarding Jesus. It reveals that the power and impact of John (and now Jesus) extended beyond mere physical existence, penetrating even Herod's hardened conscience. The very public knowledge of Jesus's "such things" deeply troubles the ruler who thought he had control.
  • "And he sought to see Him": This final phrase of the verse signifies a crucial intention. Herod's seeking was not born of faith or repentance but of a mixture of fear, political expediency, and a desire to witness a spectacle. This desire would ultimately be fulfilled later (Luke 23:8) when Jesus, under trial, disappointed Herod by refusing to perform any sign, highlighting Herod’s spiritual blindness.

Luke 9 9 Bonus Section

• Herod's troubled conscience, as depicted here, reflects a universal truth: unrepentant sin inevitably brings internal turmoil and fear, even for those in positions of power. The human spirit, made in God's image, struggles under the weight of guilt, often attempting to rationalize or suppress it.
• The fact that Jesus's ministry and message reached a ruler like Herod underlines the widespread impact of the gospel. The truth of Christ is not confined to religious circles but penetrates every level of society.
• This verse sets the stage for the crucial later encounter between Jesus and Herod (Luke 23:8), revealing Herod's character more fully. His prior "seeking" to see Jesus was confirmed as purely theatrical, looking for a sign or spectacle, rather than spiritual seeking for truth or salvation. When Jesus offers no such performance, Herod dismisses Him.
• The comparison and speculation surrounding Jesus—whether He was John, Elijah, or a resurrected prophet—underscore the common Jewish expectations of the time concerning a great prophetic figure or even the Messiah. Herod, in his fear, grapples with these popular theories but applies them through the filter of his own sinful actions and superstitions.

Luke 9 9 Commentary

Luke 9:9 powerfully illustrates the reach of Jesus's fame, even to the very halls of power, and highlights the troubling effect He had on a conscience burdened by sin. Herod Antipas, having committed the atrocious act of beheading John the Baptist for a political and personal whim, is now haunted by his guilt. The "unquenchable lamp" (John the Baptist, Jn 5:35) that Herod tried to extinguish has now, in his mind, been rekindled in Jesus, leading to his acute distress. His question, "who is this?", betrays not spiritual longing but superstitious fear and a deep-seated unrest. Herod's desire to "see Him" is crucial; it wasn't a longing for salvation, understanding, or repentance, but rather a carnal curiosity. He craved to see a miracle or simply to comprehend the phenomenon of Jesus to relieve his own agitation. This ultimately forebodes their later encounter where Herod's superficial desire is exposed, and he sees Jesus yet gains no spiritual benefit, revealing his true character—one driven by self-interest and a craving for external proof rather than inner truth. This serves as a sober reminder that exposure to divine power and even curiosity about Christ are not substitutes for genuine faith and repentance.