Luke 23:6-12

Luke 23:6-12

And after Pilate heard, he inquired if the man is a Galilean.  After understanding that He is under the authority of Herod, he sent Him to Herod, while He is also in Jerusalem in these days.  And after Herod saw Jesus he rejoiced greatly, for a sufficient time he was desiring to see Him for the sake of hearing about Him.  And he was hoping to see some sign while being in His presence.  And he was asking Him in a sufficient amount words.  But He did not answer to him.  And the high priests and the scribes had sat while they intensely accused him. And after Herod, with his army, also treated Him with contempt, after mocking Him, after dressing him in resplendent clothing, he sent Him back up to Pilate.  And Herod and Pilate became beloved ones with one another in the same day.  For formerly they were being in a feud between them.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

When Pilate hears that Jesus is a Galilean, He sees an opportunity.  I believe that this is a double-sided opportunity, and Pilate was smart enough to understand both sides of the opportunity.  First of all, Jesus would fall under Herod’s jurisdiction.  That means that Herod would be on the hook for dealing with Jesus rather than him.  Thus, he sends Jesus off to Herod in an attempt to pass the buck.  Second, and perhaps more importantly in the long run, Pilate sees an opportunity to turn a feud into a political alliance.  Pilate knows that Herod has been wanting to see a miracle from Jesus for a very long time.  Pilate gives him that very opportunity.  This puts Herod in his debt socially and politically.  Pilate turns Jesus into an opportunity for political advancement.

Have you ever been used by another person?  How does that feel?  What does this tell us about the mindset of Pilate at this particular time in his life?

Second Thought:

Herod is pleased to receive Jesus.  He invited Jesus in for a long conversation.  Luke is clear that Herod interrogated Jesus with a very sufficient amount of words.  In other words, this was a very thorough conversation.  Herod took advantage of the opportunity that Pilate had provided for him.  We also get the idea that the religious leaders were present for this interrogation as well.  This was no pleasant conversation for Jesus.  He endured it because it was a part of the trial that would be necessary to lead Him to the cross, which was His ultimate goal.

Have you ever been in a position where you simply needed to endure something just to get through it?  What does that mindset feel like?  What does this tell us about Jesus?  What does this also tell us about Herod in that he forced Jesus to endure him at this moment?

Third Thought:

In the end, Jesus didn’t reply.  He didn’t give Herod a satisfactory answer.  He didn’t play Herod’s games.  He didn’t perform the miracle that Herod was hoping to see.  He didn’t give Herod the audience that Herod desired.  It would have no doubt been a very frustrating experience for Herod, especially with all of the religious leaders in his presence.  Therefore, Herod takes his soldiers, mocks Jesus, and physically torments Him.  Herod doesn’t get his way.  Therefore, he feels it is in his right to mistreat someone who socially is in a class below him.

What can we learn about Herod in this passage?  What can we learn about God in this passage?  What does this passage teach us about Jesus and His focus at this moment in His life?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 23:13-16