Jesus Before Herod Series

LUKE 23: 6–12

JESUS BEFORE HEROD [JESUS’ LAST DAY SERIES]

[Luke 9:7-9; 13:31; Acts 3:11-22]

Pilate was astute enough to realize in some fashion that it was he who was on trial, not Jesus. In some way, Jesus is in control of His own trial and Pilate seems cognizant of that. But, in spite of such awareness, Pilate and now Herod, see Jesus as a political pawn to be played. [There are some today who still see Jesus as a political pawn to be played for their advantage.]

The religious and political leadership were demonically motivated to rid themselves of the One who threatened their leadership, their popularity, and their control of the religious system. So they were pulling out the all stops and pressuring Pilate to bow before their self-seeking interests. Pilate recognized their hate-filled intent and wanted a way out.

So Pilate did as we often do, he tries to avoid a no-win decision. He shows his political skill by saying, “Because He is a Galilean, I will pass Him on to King Herod. Let the Jewish ruler deal with Him.”

Pilate was trying to avoid settling a difficult case. The mention of Galilee (v. 5) gave him his opportunity. He knew well enough that Jesus had committed no crime, and he was in the position frustrate the Jewish high council’s deceitful plan. But when the situation showed signs of getting malicious, he is prepared to sacrifice an innocent person in order to keep his world in order. For the moment, however, he could buy time to let the hate cool down, and possibly gain support, by sending Jesus over to the ruler of Galilee, Herod Antipas.

Herod is presented as a frivolous person, who desired to see some amusing tricks performed by one whom he probably regarded as some kind of magician. To such a person Jesus had nothing to say. [I. Howard Marshall, “Luke,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 1017.]

The three summarizing thoughts I’ve extracted from our text I’ve entitled....

I. A WAY OUT, 6-7.

II. A WAY OF MAN, 8-11.

III. A WAY TO FRIENDSHIP, 12.

In verse 6 Pilate uses Jesus’ accusers chance reference to Galilee to see if he could find a way out of a hot situation. “When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.”

On hearing that Jesus’ was in Galilee, Pilate makes sure that he is right in guessing that “the man was a Galilean.” When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he wasted no time sending Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

So in verse 7 Pilate turns Jesus over to Herod. “And when he learned that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time.”

Hoping to escape the dilemma of an unjust condemnation or an unpopular release, Pilate uses his political savvy in order to send Jesus to Herod for him to hear and rule on the case. This decision also shows Herod he is respecting his rule over his jurisdictional domain.

This Herod is Herod Agrippa (3:1, 19; 9:7-9; 13:31). He had inherited rule over Galilee and Perea from his father, Herod the Great. He had married Herodias, his [half] brother’s wife. His evil action lead to John the Baptist’s stern and repeated rebuke (3:19-20). Instead of repenting, this same Herod had John imprisoned and then later beheaded John the Baptist to please his step-daughter (Mt 14:6-12; Mk 6:21-29; Lk9:7-9). A deviant, indulgent, contemptible man, he was known as “Herod the Fox.” Today “fox” is a synonym for “sly.” In those days, however, in rabbinical terms, “fox” meant “worthless.” Herod was a king of no value and he demonstrates that here. This pleasure-seeking Herod was initially glad to see Jesus for he hoping for some diversion or entertainment.

II. A WAY OF MAN [INTENTIONS OF THE HEART], 8-11.

Herod’s enthusiasm was not that justice should be done, or out of a sincere interest but it was out of perverted desire for some magical show. Verse 8 states that Herod was initially very pleased to see Jesus hoping to be entertained by Him. ‘When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see Him, because he had heard about Him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by Him.’

Herod had repeatedly heard about Jesus and knew of His wonder-working reputation, so he wanted to see for himself some of the miraculous feats of which he had heard. He hopes Jesus would perform some tricks for him like a common magician. Earlier Luke said Herod wanted to see Jesus (9:9) and reportedly wanted to kill him (13:31–33), but here he toys with Jesus and tries to get a sign from Him. So upon His arrival, Herod asked Jesus for a miracle. Even though Jesus’ entire earthly ministry had been filled with miracles, Herod is the first of an untold multitude who will ask Jesus for yet another miracle. “Prophesy who hit You,” the soldiers taunted. “Come down off the Cross,” the crowd will jeer.