In a sense of bewilderment as though all directions are blocked, a turning point is needed—a turning away from one’s own stubborn insistence (the pricking of one’s conscience) and a surrender of oneself to God’s detailed and delicate guidance.
“Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening; and he was greatly perplexed, because some were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, and others that one of the prophets of old had risen again. Herod said, ‘John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?’ And he kept trying to see Him” (Luke 9:7–9).
(1) Today, I would like to receive the lessons given through today’s passage, Luke 9:7–9, as I meditate on it together with Matthew 14:1–2 and Mark 6:14–16.
(a) First, when the rumors about Jesus—spread because of the things Jesus had done—circulated widely and finally reached the ears of Herod the tetrarch, King Herod became deeply perplexed (Lk. 9:7; Mt. 14:1; Mk. 6:14).
(i) Here, the “rumors about Jesus” refer to the various miracles Jesus had performed up to that time. For example, in Luke chapter 8 alone, Jesus: rebuked the wind and the raging waves so that the storm subsided and the water became calm (Luke 8:24), cast out a legion of unclean spirits from a demon-possessed man (vv. 27–39), healed a woman who had suffered greatly from bleeding for twelve years (vv. 43–48), and raised the only daughter of Jairus, the synagogue leader, from the dead (vv. 41–42, 49–56). However, by the time we come to Luke chapter 9, it seems that the rumors also included the fact that Jesus gave the twelve disciples power and authority to drive out all demons and to heal diseases, so that they went out, traveling from village to village, preaching the gospel everywhere, healing many sick people and casting out many demons (Lk. 9:1, 6; Mk. 6:7, 13) (cf. Hochma).
· As I meditated on these rumors about Jesus, I came to think that the Lord’s church, too, should have “rumors” that arise “because of the things Jesus has done” (Lk. 9:7).
- The reason I think this way is that today the Lord’s church is becoming known either for what we have done or for what the church itself has done. In other words, although the Lord—who is the head of the church—ought to receive glory, we (the church) are receiving the glory instead.
n May our church be established as a church in which the Lord alone receives all the glory. This brought to mind the church in Antioch described in Acts chapter 11. Founded by those who were scattered because of Stephen’s persecution, the Antioch church was a church with which the hand of the Lord was, so that a great number of people believed in Jesus and turned to the Lord. It was a well-known church, the first place in Gentile territory where believers were called “Christians,” and it was full of faith and grace. It was such a model church, marked by revival and dedication, that when the Jerusalem church heard about it, they sent Barnabas there (cf. Internet).
(ii) Here (Lk. 9:7), the Greek word translated as “was deeply perplexed” is διηπόρει (diēporei). This word is a compound of the negative prefix διά (dia) and πόρος (poros), which means “a way” or “a path.” It describes a state of wandering because one cannot find a way. In other words, it means being in a completely blocked situation, not knowing which way to go—hence, “to be greatly perplexed” or “to be utterly confused.” In this sense, Herod was not only perplexed but also deeply anxious. Moreover, considering that this expression is in the imperfect active indicative tense, we can see that Herod’s perplexity and anxiety were not momentary but ongoing and persistent (Hochma, Internet).
· King Herod was “perplexed” (διηπόρει) when he heard about Jesus’ miracles. As the tetrarch of Galilee, he represents political power confronted by the power of the kingdom of God. His perplexity was not mere curiosity; it foreshadowed the sense of responsibility he would later try to evade: “Herod had long been wanting to see Jesus because he had heard about Him, and he hoped to see Him perform some miracle. When Jesus appeared before him, Herod was greatly pleased. He questioned Him at length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing Him. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in an elegant robe, they sent Him back to Pilate” (Lk. 23:8–11). This verb reveals the anxiety of a conscience that senses the truth yet refuses to obey it (Internet).
- As I meditate on the statement that King Herod was deeply perplexed (Lk. 9:7), I am reminded that we, too, have experienced times when we felt utterly blocked in every direction—times of deep perplexity and total confusion, not knowing which way to go. In such moments, amid ongoing perplexity and anxiety, we may sense the truth clearly yet still resist obeying it, thereby revealing the unease of our conscience. What, then, should we do in such moments?
n The core issue is that in the state described by diēporei—a sense of bewilderment as though all directions are blocked—a turning point is required: abandoning one’s own stubborn insistence (the pricking of one’s conscience) and entrusting oneself to God’s detailed guidance. For Christians who are in the anxiety of conscience that senses the truth but refuses obedience, the following are three spiritual exhortations:
1. Acknowledge that “my way (poros)” is blocked, and surrender.
Diaporeō describes the perplexity that arises when the path (poros) you intended to take is blocked and cannot be passed through. Anxiety persists because you continue to cling to your own thoughts and plans to the very end.
Practice: A humble admission is needed: “My way ends here.” As Psalm 37:5 says, entrusting your way to the Lord—this “spiritual surrender”—is the first step toward ending anxiety.
2. Transform the pricking of your conscience into the “driving force of repentance.”
The anxiety felt when you sense the truth yet resist it is a “holy discomfort” given by the Holy Spirit. Rather than leaving it as mere emotional distress, you must treat it as a signal calling you to step into obedience.
Practice: Go beyond merely agreeing with the truth intellectually and begin praying in a way that submits your will before God’s Word. Pray honestly: “Lord, break my stubbornness and give me a heart willing to obey.”
3. Fix your eyes on Jesus Christ, who Himself is the “way (poros).”
The Greek word poros not only means “a way” but also implies a “solution.” Even when human paths are blocked, God’s way remains open.
Practice: In situations of utter perplexity (diaporeō), do not try to create a way for yourself. Instead, rely on Jesus, who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Obedience is not accomplished by your own strength; it is taking one step forward under the guidance of the Holy Spirit who dwells within you.
In conclusion, perplexity and anxiety are God’s “stop signals” and also His “turning points” for you. End the inner struggle of a conscience that knows the truth yet resists it, and open the pathway of your heart so that the truth itself may lead your life.
(2) Second, regarding Jesus, people were saying, “John the Baptist, who was dead, has come back to life.” Others said that Elijah had appeared, and still others said that one of the ancient prophets had risen again. However, Herod said to his officials, “He is certainly John the Baptist. Since he has risen from the dead, such miraculous powers are now at work in him.” Herod said, “I myself had John beheaded. Then who on earth is this man about whom I hear such reports?” And he sought to see Jesus (Lk. 9:7–9; Mt. 14:2; Mk. 6:14–16).
(a) The ultimate reason King Herod, the tetrarch, was so deeply perplexed was that he heard the rumor that John the Baptist—whom he had certainly beheaded—had risen from the dead, and that this resurrected John was in fact Jesus. Because of this, Herod became convinced that the miraculous powers at work in Jesus were operating through him as a result (Lk. 9:7, 9; Mt. 14:1–2; Mk. 6:14, 16; cf. Hochma).
(i) Although some people said that Elijah had appeared and others said that one of the ancient prophets had risen again (Lk. 9:8; Mk. 6:15), Herod regarded these two views about Jesus as not even worth reconsidering, and instead fixated only on the view concerning John the Baptist, brooding over it obsessively. This reveals that he was constantly tormented by a guilty conscience over the utterly unjust killing of the righteous John the Baptist (Mt. 14:3–11; Mk. 6:17–28) (Hochma).
· Because Herod was continually suffering from such a guilty conscience, when he heard the rumors circulating about Jesus because of the things Jesus had done (Lk. 9:7), he kept asking, “Who on earth is this man?” and repeatedly sought to see Jesus (v. 9). The reason for this was not a religious motive, but the combined result of psychological anxiety, curiosity, and political calculation.
1. Guilt and fear (the possibility of the resurrection of the dead John the Baptist)
Herod had John the Baptist beheaded because John rebuked his injustice. When he then heard rumors that a man named Jesus had appeared and was performing great works of power, he fell into deep perplexity (διηπόρει, diēporei) and fear, wondering whether the John he had killed had come back to life. He questioned himself, saying, “John I beheaded; yet now I hear such things—who, then, is this?” and wanted to confirm Jesus’ identity for himself.
2. Worldly curiosity to witness miracles
Herod did not see Jesus as the Savior of humanity, but rather regarded Him as a kind of magician or entertainer who performed astonishing signs. In fact, when he later met Jesus face to face, he was very glad because he hoped to see Him perform some miracle, and he questioned Him at length (Lk. 23:8). His interest was not a hunger for truth, but merely a desire for spectacle—something to watch.
3. An investigation into a potential political threat
As the ruler of Galilee, Herod needed to determine whether Jesus—who was gaining popular support among the people within his territory—might become a new political threat (such as provoking a rebellion). Since the rumors about Jesus were powerful enough to reach the royal palace, Herod wanted to confront Him directly in order to assess who He really was.
In conclusion, Herod’s desire to see Jesus was not for repentance or faith, but to relieve the anxiety of his guilty conscience and to satisfy his personal curiosity. Though he sensed the truth, he refused to obey it, and in the end he stood in a position where he mocked and despised Jesus (v. 11) (Internet).
- Hokma states the following: According to Luke 13:31 (“At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, ‘Leave this place and go elsewhere. Herod wants to kill you’”), it becomes clear that Herod’s desire to see Jesus was not merely curiosity to verify the facts, nor simply guilt over killing an innocent prophet, but rather malicious intent to seize and kill Jesus. When he was finally given the opportunity to meet Jesus, he mocked Him and played an active role as an accomplice or collaborator in Jesus’ execution (Lk. 23:8, 11) (Hochma).
n As I meditate on Herod—who, when finally given the opportunity to meet Jesus, mocked Him and played an active role as an accomplice or collaborator in His execution—I am reminded that Christians must not seek Jesus merely out of curiosity or for personal security, as Herod did. Rather, in order to transform the “opportunity of grace” given to us into eternal life, believers must adopt the following attitudes:
1. Approach not as a “spectator,” but with the heart of a “sinner.”
Herod viewed Jesus as someone who could satisfy his intellectual curiosity or provide entertainment. By contrast, all those whose lives were transformed through encountering Jesus came acknowledging themselves as sinners in need of the Lord’s mercy.
Practice: Approach the Word and the place of prayer with a humble heart that says, “Lord, have mercy on me.” Psalm 51:17 promises that God does not despise a broken and contrite heart.
2. Stop “intellectual analysis” and choose “personal obedience.”
Herod asked Jesus many questions, yet he did not truly listen to the Lord’s words. An opportunity to meet Jesus is not a time to “gather information,” but a time to “change the one who governs your life.”
Practice: When you understand the truth, do not stop at mere agreement—“I see.” Instead, begin obeying immediately, starting with small things. James 1:22 warns us not to deceive ourselves by merely listening to the Word without doing it.
3. Hold on to “God’s time,” not “my time.”
Scripture says, “Now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). Like Herod, we must not postpone or exploit opportunities based on our political circumstances or emotional state.
Practice: When there is worship, personal prayer, or a sudden stirring in your heart from the Word, regard it as God’s invitation and respond immediately.
4. Guard against the “pride” and “hardness” of the heart.
The reason Herod ultimately mocked Jesus was that he did not want to relinquish his throne and his value system. When the heart becomes hardened, even truth that stands right before one’s eyes cannot be seen.
Practice: To cultivate the soil of your heart, meditate daily on the Word and seek the help of the Holy Spirit. It is beneficial to form a habit of daily fellowship with the Lord by using devotional materials such as Living Life.
In conclusion, when we are faced with an opportunity to meet Jesus, what we must do is “lay down our crown.” When we surrender control of our lives to the Lord, anxiety (diēporei) is transformed into peace, and curiosity is transformed into conviction (Internet).