^9:7Now Herod²⁵ the tetrarch²⁶ heard about everything that was happening, and he was thoroughly perplexed,²⁷ because some people were saying that John²⁸ had been raised from the dead, ^9:8while others were saying that Elijah²⁹ had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had risen.³⁰^9:9Herod said, “I had John³¹ beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” So Herod wanted to learn about Jesus.³²

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Footnotes

25 Herod refers here to Herod Antipas. See the note on Herod Antipas in .
26 See the note on tetrarch in .
27 Or “was very confused.” See L&N 32.10 where this verse is given as an example of the usage.
28 John refers to John the Baptist, whom Herod had beheaded (v. 9).
29 The appearance of Elijah would mean that the end time had come. According to 2 Kgs 2:11, Elijah was still alive. In Mal 4:5 it is said that Elijah would be the precursor of Messiah.
30 The phrase had risen could be understood to mean “had been resurrected,” but this is only a possible option, not a necessary one, since the phrase could merely mean that a figure had appeared on the scene who mirrored an earlier historical figure. The three options of vv. 7–8 will be repeated in v. 19.
31 Grk “John I beheaded”; John’s name is in emphatic position in the Greek text. The verb is causative, since Herod would not have personally carried out the execution.
32 The expression ἐζήτει ἰδεῖν αὐτόν (ezētei idein auton, “was seeking to see him”) probably indicates that Herod, for curiosity’s sake or more likely for evil purposes, wanted to get to know Jesus, i.e., who he was and what he was doing. See I. H. Marshall, Luke (), . Herod finally got his wish in Luke 23:6–12, with inconclusive results from his point of view.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Herod the tetrarch heard about everything that was going on. He was perplexed, because some said that John had been raised from the dead, some that Elijah had appeared, and others that one of the ancient prophets had risen. “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this I hear such things about?” And he wanted to see him.

NLTNew Living Translation

When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about everything Jesus was doing, he was puzzled. Some were saying that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead. Others thought Jesus was Elijah or one of the other prophets risen from the dead.

“I beheaded John,” Herod said, “so who is this man about whom I hear such stories?” And he kept trying to see him.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some that John has been raised from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared, and others that some prophet of ancient times had risen. And Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he was wanting to see him.

KJV 1900King James Version

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 Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

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