Luke 23:8

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.

And {G1161} when Herod {G2264} saw {G1492} Jesus {G2424}, he was exceeding {G3029} glad {G5463}: for {G1063} he was {G2258} desirous {G2309} to see {G1492} him {G846} of {G1537} a long {G2425} season, because {G1223} he had heard {G191} many things {G4183} of {G4012} him {G846}; and {G2532} he hoped {G1679} to have seen {G1492} some {G5100} miracle {G4592} done {G1096} by {G5259} him {G846}.

Herod was delighted to see Yeshua, because he had heard about him and for a long time had been wanting to meet him; indeed, he hoped to see him perform some miracle.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see Him perform a miracle.

Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was of a long time desirous to see him, because he had heard concerning him; and he hoped to see some miracle done by him.

Luke 23:8 details a pivotal moment during Jesus' trial, where He is brought before Herod Antipas. This verse offers insight into Herod's character and the world's often misguided response to the Son of God.

Context

Following His arrest and initial questioning by Pontius Pilate, Jesus was sent to Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee, because Jesus was a Galilean, and Pilate sought to avoid responsibility (Luke 23:7). Herod was the same ruler who had imprisoned and executed John the Baptist. This encounter takes place during the intense period leading up to Jesus' crucifixion, part of the wider Passion Week narrative.

Key Themes

  • Superficial Curiosity: Herod's "exceeding gladness" was not born of reverence or a desire for spiritual truth, but rather a long-standing, shallow curiosity. He had "heard many things" about Jesus, not through a genuine quest for understanding, but as one might follow a sensational news story or a celebrity. His interest was purely self-serving.
  • Desire for Spectacle: Herod "hoped to have seen some miracle done by him." His interest in Jesus was purely for entertainment, a desire to witness a show, rather than to discern divine authority or the truth of His claims. This contrasts sharply with the transformative power of Jesus' miracles, which were always performed to reveal God's glory and compassion, not for display.
  • The World's Misguided Response: This verse illustrates how many in the world encounter Jesus—not with faith, but with idle curiosity, skepticism, or a demand for signs that validate their own preconceived notions, rather than seeking genuine repentance or belief.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "exceeding glad" translates the Greek lian charin (literally, "very much gladness" or "great favor/grace"). However, in Herod's case, this "gladness" was rooted in selfish desire and curiosity, not spiritual joy or recognition of Jesus' divine nature. It highlights a common human tendency to be drawn to the spectacular rather than the sacred, often missing the true message.

Related Scriptures

  • Jesus' refusal to perform signs for mere curiosity or a "wicked generation" is echoed in passages like Matthew 16:4, where He states that no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah.
  • The silence of Jesus before Herod, despite Herod's many questions, is a profound moment, fulfilling prophecies about the suffering servant who would not open His mouth (Isaiah 53:7). This silence underscored Jesus' dignity and refusal to entertain Herod's frivolous demands, demonstrating His sovereignty even in His passion.

Practical Application

Luke 23:8 serves as a warning against a superficial approach to faith. We are called to seek Jesus not for entertainment, personal gain, or to satisfy mere curiosity, but with a sincere heart, desiring to know Him truly and to follow His teachings. Our encounter with Christ should lead to genuine transformation and repentance, not just a passing interest in His power or story. It reminds us that God does not perform on demand for an audience seeking a show, but reveals Himself to those who seek Him in spirit and in truth.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 14:1

    ¶ At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

  • Mark 6:14

    ¶ And king Herod heard [of him]; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

  • Luke 9:7

    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 9:9

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

  • 2 Kings 5:11

    But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.

  • Luke 4:23

    And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.

  • Acts 8:19

    Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

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