Luke Chapter 9 · Verse 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;
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τετράρχης
the tetrarch
G5076
τετράρχης
the tetrarch
Strong's:
G5076
Word #:
5 of 22
the ruler of a fourth part of a country ("tetrarch")
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γινόμενα
that was done
G1096
γινόμενα
that was done
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
7 of 22
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ὑπό
by
G5259
ὑπό
by
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
8 of 22
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 (
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 22
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 #:
11 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
διὰ
because
G1223
διὰ
because
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
13 of 22
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λέγεσθαι
that it was said
G3004
λέγεσθαι
that it was said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
15 of 22
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὑπό
by
G5259
ὑπό
by
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
16 of 22
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 (
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
18 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐγήγερται
was risen
G1453
ἐγήγερται
was risen
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
20 of 22
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
Historical Context
Herod Antipas ruled Galilee from his capital Tiberias. He had John the Baptist executed (circa AD 28-29) after John rebuked his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife (Leviticus 18:16, 20:21). Josephus records that Herod feared John's influence over the people might lead to insurrection. Now Jesus's ministry, amplified by the Twelve's preaching throughout Galilee, created even greater public attention. Herod's perplexity shows the political elite's inability to categorize Jesus—prophet, revolutionary, or revenant?
Questions for Reflection
- How does Herod's guilty conscience illustrate the truth that sin creates fear and confusion even in the powerful?
- What does the speculation that John had risen reveal about first-century Jewish beliefs in resurrection and the afterlife?
- In what ways do political authorities today respond with perplexity or hostility when confronted with genuine gospel power?
Analysis & Commentary
Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him—The fame of Jesus and His apostles reached the ears of political power. Hērōdēs ho tetraarchēs (Ἡρῴδης ὁ τετραάρχης) was Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, ruler of Galilee and Perea (4 BC–AD 39). The title tetraarchēs ("ruler of a fourth") indicated subordinate authority under Rome.
And he was perplexed (διηπόρει, diēporei)—the verb indicates complete bewilderment, thorough confusion. Herod was tormented by uncertainty. Because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead—guilty conscience magnified the rumors. Herod had murdered John the Baptist (Luke 3:19-20, Mark 6:17-29), and now supernatural reports about Jesus awakened fear that John had returned from the grave to exact divine judgment. The speculation reveals both Herod's superstition and the people's recognition that extraordinary power was at work—power that demanded supernatural explanation.