Bible Strands
Luke 23:8
When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see Him perform a miracle.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Herod acts upon Jesus after Pilate transfers jurisdiction to him during the trial proceedings. This occurs in Jerusalem at the moment of interrogation, immediately following Jesus' delivery and preceding his silence.
The words — ἰδὼν (idōn) = having seen and ἐχάρη (echarē) = was glad describe Herod’s immediate reaction upon viewing Jesus. The text states he was exceedingly pleased, not from reverence, but because he had long wanted to witness a miracle.
The thread — Herod’s curiosity traces back to prior rumors about Jesus’ identity and power. The same pattern of hearing reports and reacting appears in Matthew 14:1, Mark 6:14, and Luke 9:7.
Why it lands — The text records a ruler seeking Jesus for spectacle rather than truth, while Jesus offers no response. A reader must confront whether their own interest in Christ is driven by a demand for signs or a willingness to receive his word.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
Cross-references
- Matthew 14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus
- Mark 6:14 Now King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
- Luke 9:7 When Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, he was perplexed. For some were saying that John had risen from the dead,
- 2 Kings 5:11 But Naaman went away angry, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out, stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the spot to cure my leprosy.
- Luke 4:23 Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to Me: ‘Physician, heal yourself! Do here in Your hometown what we have heard that You did in Capernaum.’”
- Acts 8:19 “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
- 2 Kings 5:3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy.”