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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἰδεῖν
saw
G1492
ἰδεῖν
saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
4 of 29
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
6 of 29
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἐχάρη
glad
G5463
ἐχάρη
glad
Strong's:
G5463
Word #:
7 of 29
to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
10 of 29
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
θέλων
desirous
G2309
θέλων
desirous
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
11 of 29
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
ἐξ
of
G1537
ἐξ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
12 of 29
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
ἱκανοῦ
a long
G2425
ἱκανοῦ
a long
Strong's:
G2425
Word #:
13 of 29
competent (as if coming in season), i.e., ample (in amount) or fit (in character)
ἰδεῖν
saw
G1492
ἰδεῖν
saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
14 of 29
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 29
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
διὰ
season because
G1223
διὰ
season because
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
16 of 29
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πολλὰ
many things
G4183
πολλὰ
many things
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
19 of 29
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
περὶ
of
G4012
περὶ
of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
20 of 29
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 29
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σημεῖον
miracle
G4592
σημεῖον
miracle
Strong's:
G4592
Word #:
25 of 29
an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally
ἰδεῖν
saw
G1492
ἰδεῖν
saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
26 of 29
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὑπ'
by
G5259
ὑπ'
by
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
27 of 29
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
Historical Context
Herod Antipas had executed John the Baptist (c. AD 28-29) at Machaerus fortress, yielding to his wife Herodias's demand after his rash oath at a birthday banquet (Mark 6:14-29). His guilty conscience and political calculation made him both curious about and fearful of Jesus. Ancient historians (Josephus) describe Herod as cunning but weak-willed, capable of cruelty but susceptible to manipulation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Herod's desire to see miracles without submission reflect our culture's appetite for spiritual experience without genuine discipleship?
- Why does Jesus consistently refuse to perform signs for those who seek them as entertainment rather than as pointers to repentance and faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Herod...was exceeding glad (ἐχάρη λίαν, echarē lian)—not the joy of genuine faith but perverse curiosity. Herod was desirous to see him of a long season (θέλων ἰδεῖν αὐτόν, thelōn idein auton), having heard of Jesus's miracles since early in his ministry (9:7-9). His desire was to see some miracle (σημεῖόν τι ἰδεῖν, sēmeion ti idein)—viewing Jesus as an entertainer, not the Messiah. This is the same Herod who murdered John the Baptist (9:9), whose conscience briefly troubled him with the thought that Jesus might be John raised from the dead.
The word sēmeion (sign) is deeply ironic. Herod sought spectacular miracles for entertainment, but Jesus had refused to perform signs for the sign-seeking Pharisees (11:29), declaring 'no sign shall be given...but the sign of Jonas the prophet'—death and resurrection. Herod represents those who want Christianity's power without its demands, miracles without repentance, spectacle without surrender. His 'exceeding glad' reception contrasts starkly with the trembling worship true encounters with Christ produce.