Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Luke 23:8. It’s a really interesting and somewhat surprising part of the story after Jesus was arrested. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: Herod is upset: Herod, the king of Judea, was very unhappy with Jesus. He had heard stories about Jesus – things like his miracles, his teachings, and even his death. He’s eager to see him again: Herod wasn't just annoyed; he was desperate to meet Jesus face-to-face. He wanted to witness something extraordinary. Let’s unpack it a bit further: “Exceeding glad” : This is key. Herod isn’t just mildly pleased; he's filled with excitement and joy. It means he was truly thrilled about the prospect of seeing Jesus. "He had heard many things..." : Herod had been told stories about Jesus – he knew about his healing, his teachings, and even his crucifixion. "...because he had heard many things..." : This suggests that Herod had a lot of information about Jesus, which made him fascinated. "...and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him." : This is the most surprising part. Herod wasn’t just interested in seeing Jesus; he was hoping for something extraordinary . He wanted to see a divine event – perhaps a miraculous act of healing or a powerful display of power – that would prove Jesus's divinity. In short, it paints a picture of Herod being incredibly motivated and hopeful about the events surrounding Jesus’ death. It suggests a complex mix of disappointment, excitement, and a desire for something remarkable to happen. It’s important to note: This passage is a bit difficult to understand because it's written in a way that emphasizes Herod's emotions. It's not necessarily meant to be a literal description of what happened, but rather an illustration of his intense feelings about Jesus. --- Do you have any specific questions about this verse or would you like me to explain it further? For example: Are you curious about the context of this passage in the Bible? Would you like me to explore why Herod might be so interested in Jesus?