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.
Sadly enough, in our own way we do the same thing. “Why doesn’t God answer my prayer?” we cry. “Why doesn’t He open the job? Why doesn’t He bless the relationship? Why doesn’t He heal me? Why isn’t He providing for our need? Why doesn’t He show me a miracle? I would believe if I could just see Him do something big.”
Miracles do not produce faith. All they produce is an appetite for more miracles. Read the Book of Exodus, and you will see the Red Sea parting, manna falling, water flowing. Yet so faithless were the children of Israel—even after seeing miracle upon miracle—they didn’t want to talk to God (Exodus 20:19). Signs and wonders and miracles do not produce faith because they invariably leave people confused about the miracles that didn’t transpire. People might see ten events take place that are answers to prayer, but the one prayer that doesn’t get answered the way they want is the one that hangs them up. That is why miracles are never enough.
Does this mean the Father won’t do miracles? Of course He will. But the miracles of God are never about power. They’re about people. Whenever the Lord is working in the area of healing, it’s with individual people, not massive demonstrations of His power in order to persuade cynics—which is why seven times in Mark’s Gospel, concerning His healings, Jesus said, “Don’t tell anyone.”
Jesus cares about people, not about power. The most powerful miracle of all was His Resurrection from the dead. And yet following this glorious event, how many times did Jesus appear to unbelievers? Not once. He never appeared to Pilate, to Herod, or to the religious leaders, saying, “I’m back.” No, only those who already believed in Him saw the resurrected Lord. Who is the one who is transformed by the miracles & the blessings of God? I believe it is the person who is not seeking them, but who simply loves Jesus. [Jon Courson, Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2003), 413–414.]
Ok, back to our story. Jesus does not want to be exploited for perverted interest or for entertainment as verse 9 makes clear. “So he [Herod] questioned Him [Jesus] at some length, but He made no answer.”
Though Jesus refused to perform any miracle, Herod expected at least the common courtesy of answering his question. He was after all Jesus’ ruler and judge. Herod even used provoking questions to try an force Jesus’ hand. Jesus had told Pilate who He is (v. 3), but He repeatedly refused to answer Herod. Jesus decided that neither this perverse man nor his curiosity deserved an answer. God looks at the heart and discerns true motives.
In verse10 we learn that the religious leaders ganged up on Jesus possibly trying to anger Jesus and provoke Him into a rash response. “The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing Him.”
Some of the Jewish leaders must have gone across to Herod’s Jerusalem residence to ensure that he heard their side of the case. As Herod questioned Jesus, these religious leaders accused Jesus of crime after crime. Were their venomous accusations out of fear Herod would release Jesus or had their hatred grown so overwhelming that they couldn’t control themselves? Hate blinds the eyes and poisons the heart.
After Herod was unable to illicit a response, he resorts to mockery in verse11. “And Herod with his soldiers treated Him with contempt and mocked Him. Then, arraying Him in splendid clothing, he sent Him back to Pilate.”
Since Jesus does not comply with Herod’s self-satisfying curiosity, He is of no further use. Herod’s contempt for righteousness and this righteous man now becomes clear. He showed his true feelings toward Jesus by joining in the mockery, dressing Him up as a pretend king. Since Jesus is accused of being a king, Herod mockingly dresses Jesus in royal cloths. Herod then sent Jesus back to Pilate, dressed as a king, but without passing any judgment on the case. [John A. Martin, “Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 262.]
The contempt and ridicule upon the tied up prisoner by Herod’s bodyguards or “soldiers” is similar to that carried out by Pilate’s soldiers (Mk. 15:16–20), but one set of troops could easily have copied the other’s example.
III. A WAY TO FRIENDSHIP, 12.
Facing similar tough situations has a way of bringing people together. The two leaders having observed and surrendered to the same demonic forces become friends that day as verse 12 relays. “And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.”
Pilate had given a jurisdictional courtesy to Herod, which showed respect for Herod’s authority. Both sought to shirk from their responsibility, yet something about the event brought the two together that day. From Luke’s report it appears that their “enmity” went back many years and was profoundly deep. Yet the friendship between Herod and Pontius Pilate was kindled over something they had in common; they were both called upon to sit in judgment at the execution of the Son of God. [R. C. Sproul, A Walk with God: An Exposition of Luke (Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, 1999), 404.]
IN CLOSING
The two men joined themselves together in injustice. Their refusal to stand up for what was right allowed Jesus to be sent to the cross. Neither ruler found any guilt, but neither would stand up for justice for this innocent man.
Calvin Miller wrote, “It is difficult to look at a naked, beaten man and see anything kingly about him. How odd it is that through the course of history, Herod would be remembered as a tyrant. The naked, beaten man he ridiculed and mocked, would rule the hearts of millions” [adapted].
The outcome of the workings of this world are not always as they seem.
PRAYER: Father, in Your grace and Your goodness, You've redeemed us and called us by name. You've made us new. You have transferred us from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of Your love.
We thank You that it's now possible for us to have our hearts melted by the knowledge of Your love for us, to have our hearts maintained and changed by the remembrance of Your grace for us, and, most of all, to be completely changed by the knowledge of what Your Son has not just done for us, but what Your Son is for us.
Father, I ask for anyone who is far from You, weighed down with guilt, shame, or even for those who are unaware of sin, would You reveal it to them & bring them to Yourself? Not so that we would remain condemned, but so that we would trust in what You have done for us in Jesus, that we would trust in the gospel—the good news & be cleansed. Father, give us what You want to give us—give us Yourself. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
