Who is This? - Luke 9:9

The beloved physician Luke wrote, “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. And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again”, and in chapter nine and verse nine of his book Luke shared how, “Herod said … who is this?” where we read:

And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things?

And he desired to see him.

The verse reads, “And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things?” Luke began with the words, “and Herod said” or “and Herod whose name means “heroic” and was the son of Herod the Great and Malthace, a Samaritan woman. After the death of his father he was appointed by the Romans tetrarch of Galilee and Peraea”, “John have I beheaded” which means “John the Baptist whose name means Jehovah is a gracious giver”: “but who is this” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding, moreover and what person is this”, “of whom I hear such things” which means “about whom Herod was given the faculty for hearing, perceiving and understanding what Jesus was doing and saying”. Luke shared how “Herod” wondered about this because he knew he killed John the Baptist by having his head taken off.

The verse continues, “And he desired to see him.” Luke added the words, “and he desired” which means “and Herod wanted, sought, aimed and strove” “to see him” or “to behold, observe and have Jesus appear before him”. Luke shared how Herod wanted to “see” Jesus for himself.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Herod” was confused over who this was that was ministering in such a mighty way. “Herod” knew he “beheaded” John the Baptist, and he could not figure out why some of the works and ways of this new man was being performed. “Herod” wanted to see Jesus for himself, and though his desire was for selfish reasons, God wants everyone to seek His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”. Those who yield their lives to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be saved from the penalty for sins and receive everlasting life with God.

Next time Luke shares how, “the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".