Definition: And king Herod heard [of him]; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Mark 6:14. It's a really important passage about Jesus’ ministry and the beginnings of his ministry. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Core Idea: Jesus was told by Herod that someone had risen from the dead. This wasn’t just any death; it was a resurrection! Herod, who was a powerful ruler, was worried about this news because it suggested Jesus might be seen as a threat to his authority. Let's unpack it word-by-word: “Mark 6:14” : This is the verse itself – we’re focusing on a specific moment in time. “And king Herod heard…” : This tells us who was telling Jesus about this event. King Herod was a powerful, wealthy ruler of Judea. He was known for being suspicious and sometimes cruel. (“for his name was spread abroad.”) : This is key! Herod had been spreading the word that someone had risen from the dead. That's why he was so concerned. The fact that this news was spreading meant it was important. “and he said…” : Herod, driven by fear and suspicion, immediately reacted. He asked Jesus to investigate. What did he mean by "that John the Baptist was risen from the dead?" John the Baptist: This was a Jewish preacher who had been preaching about repentance and judgment. He was considered a rebel because he challenged Herod’s authority and urged people to turn away from evil. “risen from the dead” : This is the crucial part! The word "risen" means he had been resurrected – brought back to life after being crucified. This was a huge deal at the time, as it defied everything people believed about death. What does it mean “therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him?” “mighty works” : Herod wanted to know if Jesus was capable of amazing things – miracles and displays of power. “do shew forth themselves” : This means "to show off," "to demonstrate," or "to prove." “in him” : Herod was asking if the miracle of his resurrection would be evident in Jesus’ actions. So, the whole point is: Herod was worried that Jesus’ resurrection would be seen as a challenge to his power and could lead people to rebellion. Jesus' actions – demonstrating this miraculous resurrection – were evidence of his divine power and authority. In short: Herod was skeptical about Jesus, and the fact that he heard about the resurrection sparked a moment of intense investigation and a sign of Jesus’ incredible power. --- Analogy: Think of it like this: You're watching a baseball game where a player just hits a home run. Your opponent is worried because the player just appeared in the field. The fact that he hit the ball so powerfully suggests something special – maybe he’s not just a regular player, but something extraordinary! Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Discuss why this passage is significant in the context of Jesus' ministry?