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Commentary on Luke 9 verses 1–9
We have here, I. The method Christ took to spread his gospel, to diffuse and enforce the light of it. He had himself travelled about, preaching and healing; but he could be only in one place at a time, and therefore now he sent his twelve disciples abroad, who by this time were pretty well instructed in the nature of the present dispensation, and able to instruct others and deliver to them what they had received from the Lord. Let them disperse themselves, some one way and some another, to preach the kingdom of God, as it was now about to be set up by the Messiah, to make people acquainted with the spiritual nature and tendency of it, and to persuade them to come into the interests and measures of it. For the confirming of their doctrine, because it was new and surprising, and very different from what they had been taught by the scribes and Pharisees, and because so much depended upon men's receiving, or not receiving it, he empowered them to work miracles (Luk 9:1, Luk 9:2): He gave them authority over all devils, to dispossess them, and cast them out, though ever so numerous, so subtle, so fierce, so obstinate. Christ designed a total rout and ruin to the kingdom of darkness, and therefore gave them power over all devils. He authorized and appointed them likewise to cure disease, and to heal the sick, which would make them welcome wherever they came, and not only convince people's judgments, but gain their affections. This was their commission. Now observe,
1.What Christ directed them to do, in prosecution of this commission at this time, when they were not to go far or be out long. (1.) They must not be solicitous to recommend themselves to people's esteem by their outward appearance. Now that they begin to set up for themselves, they must have no dress, nor study to make any other figure than what they made while they followed him: they must go as they were, and not change their clothes, or so much as put on a pair of new shoes. (2.) They must depend upon Providence, and the kindness of their friends, to furnish them with what was convenient for them. They must not take with them either bread or money, and yet believe they should not want. Christ would not have his disciples shy of receiving the kindnesses of their friends, but rather to expect them. Yet St. Paul saw cause not to go by this rule, when he laboured with his hands rather than be burdensome. (3.) They must not change their lodgings, as suspecting that those who entertained them were weary of them; they have no reason to be so, for the ark is a guest that always pays well for its entertainment: "Whatsoever house ye enter into there abide (Luk 9:4), that people may know where to find you, that your friends may know you are not backward to serve them, and your enemies may know you are not ashamed nor afraid to face them; there abide till you depart out of that city; stay with those you are used to." (4.) They must put on authority, and speak warning to those who refused them as well as comfort to those that received them, Luk 9:5. "If there be any place that will not entertain you, if the magistrates deny you admission and threaten to treat you as vagrants, leave them, do not force yourselves upon them, nor run yourselves into danger among them, but at the same time bind them over to the judgment of God for it; shake off the dust of your feet for a testimony against them." This will, as it were, be produced in evidence against them, that the messengers of the gospel had been among them, to make them a fair offer of grace and peace, for this dust they left behind there; so that when they perish at last in their infidelity this will lay and leave their blood upon their own heads. Shake off the dust of your feet, as much as to say you abandon their city, and will have no more to do with them.
2.What they did, in prosecution of this commission (Luk 9:6): They departed from their Master's presence; yet, having still his spiritual presence with them, his eye and his arm going along with them, and, thus borne up in their work, they went through the towns, some or other of them, all the towns within the circuit appointed them, preaching the gospel, and healing every where. Their work was the same with their Master's, doing good both to souls and bodies.
II. We have here Herod's perplexity and vexation at this. 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 any thing else; that he could not only work miracles himself, but empower others to work miracles too, this spread his fame more than any thing, and made the rays of this Sun of righteousness the stronger by the reflection of them even from the earth, from such mean 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, Act 4:13. When the country sees such as these healing the sick in the name of Jesus it gives it an alarm. Now observe,
1.The various speculations it raised among the people, who, though they thought not rightly, yet could not but think honourably, 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 honour put upon him; or that Elias, who was taken alive to heaven in a fiery chariot, had appeared as an express from heaven, Luk 9:7, Luk 9:8.
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. "What shall I do now?" saith Herod. "John have I beheaded, but who is this? Is he carrying on John's work, or is he come to avenge John's death? John baptized, but he does not; John did no miracle, but he does, and therefore appears more formidable than John." 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, Luk 23:11. Had he prosecuted his convictions now, and gone to see him, who knows but a happy change might have ben 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.
Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did against John, that was called the Baptist: for Herod slew him, who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God, and so to come to baptism; for that the washing [with water] would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away [or the remission] of some sins [only], but for the purification of the body; supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness. Now when [many] others came in crowds about him, for they were very greatly moved [or pleased] by hearing his words, Herod, who feared lest the great influence John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion, (for they seemed ready to do any thing he should advise,) thought it best, by putting him to death, to prevent any mischief he might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties, by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it would be too late. Accordingly he was sent a prisoner, out of Herod's suspicious temper, to Macherus, the castle I before mentioned, and was there put to death. Now the Jews had an opinion that the destruction of this army was sent as a punishment upon Herod, and a mark of God's displeasure to him.
But when the Lord had girded His disciples as soldiers of God with divine virtue and wise admonitions, sending them to the Jews as teachers and physicians, they afterwards went forth, as it follows, And they departed, and went through the towns preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
After the law has passed away, the food of the gospel begins to feed the hungry hearts of the people.… It was fitting that those whom he had healed from the pain of wounds he freed from hunger with spiritual nourishment. Thus none receives the food of Christ unless he was first healed, and the calling first heals those who are called to the feast. If one was lame, he received the ability to walk, so that he came. If one lacked the sight of his eyes, he could indeed not enter the house of the Lord, unless his sight was restored.
(Hom. 48. in Matt.) It was not till a long time had passed that Herod took notice of the things that were done by Jesus, (to show you the pride of a tyrant,) for he did not acknowledge them at first, as it is said, Now Herod heard, &c.
For sinners fear both when they know, and when they are ignorant; they are afraid of shadows, are suspicious about every thing, and are alarmed at the slightest noise. Such in truth is sin; when no one blames or finds fault, it betrays a man, when no one accuses it condemns, and makes the offender timid and backward. But the cause of fear is stated afterwards, in the words, Because that it was said of some.
(ubi sup.) When Herod then heard of the miracles which Jesus was performing, he says, John have I beheaded, which was not an expression of boasting, but by way of allaying his fears, and bringing his distracted soul to recollect that he had killed. And because he had beheaded John, he adds, but who is this.
And Herod said: I beheaded John. But who is this about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him. These are the words of the hesitant Herod, mentioned above. Because he desires to see one whom he discovered to be great by reputation, perhaps to recognize if he might be John himself. The sequence and cause of his beheading, since the Evangelists describe it most fully, Luke in his manner prefers to mention to indicate the state of the times, rather than to repeat what he sees is abundantly said. However, because there is mention of John's beheading, it should be noted, that both John and the Lord declare their own state and order both at the time of birth and by the order of their passion. For John was diminished by the head, the Lord was elevated on the cross. John was born when the days began to decrease, the Lord when they began to increase. As this appears too, it is that "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3), that is, it must be recognized that He, who was considered a prophet, is Christ: and I, who was thought to be Christ, must be understood as His forerunner.
You see, our Lord provided encouragement for the multitude that was following him as the Passover, the Jews’ festival day, was drawing near. He did this by his words of salvation, together with the help of his cures. As another Evangelist wrote, he spoke to them about the kingdom of God and healed those who were in need of being cured. When his acts of teaching and healing were completed, he refreshed them most abundantly from a small amount of food.
Herod was the son of Herod the Great who slew the children, who was king, but this Herod was tetrarch. He inquired about Christ, who He was. Hence it follows, And he was perplexed.
For the Jews expected a resurrection of the dead to a fleshly life, eating and drinking, but those that rise again will not be concerned with the deeds of the flesh.
If John is alive and has risen from the dead, I shall know him when I see him; as it follows, And he sought to see him.
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SUMMARY
Luke 9:9 captures the profound perplexity and deep-seated guilt of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee, as he grapples with the widespread reports of Jesus' miraculous power and teachings. Having already ordered the execution of John the Baptist, Herod is haunted by the possibility that Jesus might be John resurrected, or another powerful prophet, leading him to an intense, though ultimately superficial, desire to personally encounter this enigmatic figure.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Luke employs several literary devices in this concise verse to convey profound theological and psychological truths. The most prominent is Irony, as Herod, the powerful tetrarch, is portrayed as deeply troubled and fearful, contrasting sharply with his outward authority. His declaration, "John have I beheaded," is a stark admission that underscores the Psychological Realism of the narrative, revealing the haunting nature of guilt and unconfessed sin. The question, "but who is this?" serves as a form of Rhetorical Question, not necessarily seeking an immediate answer from a listener, but rather expressing Herod's internal bewilderment and the widespread public debate surrounding Jesus' identity. Finally, the verse functions as Foreshadowing, hinting at the eventual encounter between Herod and Jesus during the Passion narrative (Luke 23:8), an encounter that ultimately reveals the superficiality of Herod's "desire to see him."
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 9:9 powerfully illustrates the pervasive nature of Jesus' influence and the profound impact of His ministry, even on those hostile to His message. Herod's troubled conscience serves as a stark reminder that sin, particularly unconfessed and unrepented sin, carries a heavy psychological and spiritual burden, regardless of one's worldly power or status. His perplexity highlights the common human struggle to categorize and comprehend the divine, especially when confronted with a figure who defies conventional expectations. Ultimately, Herod's desire to see Jesus, though strong, was rooted in a superficial curiosity rather than a genuine hunger for truth or salvation, underscoring the critical distinction between intellectual intrigue and true spiritual seeking.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Herod Antipas's internal turmoil in Luke 9:9 offers a sobering reflection on the enduring consequences of sin and the nature of true spiritual seeking. His confession, "John have I beheaded," reveals a conscience tormented by past actions, demonstrating that worldly power cannot shield one from the internal repercussions of moral transgression. This serves as a powerful reminder for us today: unaddressed guilt and unrepented sin can haunt the soul, leading to spiritual unrest and a distorted perception of truth. Furthermore, Herod's desire to see Jesus, while seemingly positive, was driven by curiosity and superstition rather than a genuine desire for repentance or understanding of Christ's divine mission. This challenges us to examine the motives behind our own "seeking" of Jesus. Is our interest merely intellectual, or is it a deep, humble longing for transformation, forgiveness, and submission to His Lordship? True seeking involves a willingness to confront our own sin, to repent, and to embrace the truth of who Jesus is, allowing Him to transform our lives rather than merely satisfying our curiosity.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was Herod troubled by Jesus' ministry?
Answer: Herod was troubled by Jesus' ministry primarily because the widespread reports of Jesus' miracles and teachings caused him to fear that Jesus might be John the Baptist, whom he had unjustly executed, risen from the dead. This fear was rooted in a guilty conscience and perhaps a superstitious belief that John had returned to exact vengeance or that God was judging him for his sin. The sheer power and authority demonstrated by Jesus also defied Herod's understanding and control, adding to his perplexity.
Did Herod ever get to see Jesus?
Answer: Yes, Herod's desire to see Jesus was eventually fulfilled, though not in the way he might have expected or hoped. During Jesus' trial, after Pilate learned that Jesus was a Galilean, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at the time (Luke 23:6-7). Herod was "exceedingly glad" to see Jesus, hoping to witness a miracle (Luke 23:8). However, Jesus refused to answer Herod's many questions or perform any sign, leading Herod and his soldiers to treat Him with contempt, mock Him, and send Him back to Pilate (Luke 23:9-11). This encounter highlights the superficiality of Herod's curiosity, as he failed to recognize Jesus' divine authority or repent of his sins.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Herod's troubled question, "but who is this, of whom I hear such things?", echoes the fundamental question posed throughout the Gospels and indeed, throughout human history, concerning the identity of Jesus. While Herod's curiosity was tainted by guilt and a desire for spectacle, the true significance of Jesus' identity is revealed in His unique role as the Christ, the Son of God. He is not merely a resurrected prophet like John, or Elijah, but the very embodiment of God's redemptive plan. The "such things" Herod heard were not just reports of miracles, but manifestations of the Kingdom of God breaking into the world through the person of Jesus, who came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Herod's desire to "see him" foreshadows the universal human need to encounter the living Christ, not as a curiosity, but as the Lord and Savior who offers forgiveness for sins, even those as grievous as Herod's execution of John. Ultimately, the New Testament proclaims Jesus as the one who fulfills all prophetic expectations, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), and the only name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). His identity is not a mystery to be solved by human curiosity, but a divine revelation to be embraced by faith.