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.
LUKE 23:8KJVWhat does Luke 23:8 mean?
Luke 23:8 describes how Herod was extremely pleased to finally see Jesus, because he had wanted to meet him for a long time, having heard many reports about him, and he hoped to witness Jesus perform a miracle. This verse shows Herod’s curiosity and excitement were driven by stories of Jesus’ miraculous acts, not by faith or understanding.
In this scene, Jesus has been brought before Herod Antipas during his trial. Herod is not interested in the charges against Jesus, but rather in the possibility of seeing something amazing or supernatural. The verse highlights Herod’s superficial interest—he treats Jesus almost like a spectacle, hoping for entertainment rather than seeking truth or justice.
The Greek behind Luke 23:8
- The word "exceeding" (λίαν, transliterated as lian) is from the Greek word πολύς (polys), but here the tag is G3029, which is μάλα (mala), meaning "very much" or "exceedingly." This emphasizes just how glad Herod was—his excitement was unusually strong.
- The word "miracle" (σημεῖον, transliterated as sēmeion) means "sign" or "miraculous sign." In the Greek, this word often points to something that reveals deeper meaning, but here, Herod just wants to see something impressive, missing the true purpose of such signs.
- The word "hoped" (ἤλπιζεν, ēlpizen) comes from a Greek word that means to expect or look forward to something. Herod’s hope is not about faith, but about anticipation of a show.
Why Luke 23:8 matters
- This verse clears up the misunderstanding that all who sought Jesus did so for sincere reasons; Herod’s interest is shallow and self-serving.
- Luke 23:8 emphasizes the contrast between Herod’s curiosity and the seriousness of Jesus’ mission, highlighting how some people miss the true significance of Jesus by focusing only on the spectacular.
- The verse connects to the wider passage by showing the different attitudes of the authorities Jesus faced—Pilate, Herod, and the religious leaders each respond to Jesus in their own way, none truly understanding him.