Jesus Before Herod

Jesus Before Herod

Introduction (Luke 23:6–12):
Luke records a revealing moment in the Lord’s trial: Jesus stands before Herod. In these few verses the Savior teaches the purpose of signs, the holiness of silence, the emptiness of spectacle, and the courage of obedience. Let us see Jesus and learn.

Herod’s Hall: Political Convenience and Spiritual Blindness
Pilate heard the word “Galilee” and quickly transferred the case to Herod Antipas, who happened to be in Jerusalem for Passover (Luke 23:6–7). The governor sought relief from pressure and risk. The Christ stood ready to do the Father’s will. The contrast exposes the difference between political calculation and faithful conviction. Herod will be pleased to receive the famous Galilean; Pilate will be glad to pass along a burdened docket. The innocent Lord remains unmoved by the shifting currents of human power (John 19:11).

Herod’s Shallow Curiosity
“When Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad” because he “hoped to see some miracle done by Him” (Luke 23:8). Herod wanted a show. He had heard reports of healings, feedings, and wonders, and he desired a private performance. Scripture tells why the Lord performed signs: they confirmed heaven’s message and produced obedient faith (John 20:30–31; Hebrews 2:3–4). Herod’s curiosity aimed at entertainment rather than repentance. The heart that longs for pleasure more than truth becomes vulnerable to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Worship centers on the Father and His will, offered “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23–24). The kingdom does not trade holiness for applause.

The Silence of the Lamb
“Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing” (Luke 23:9). Isaiah foretold this composure: “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth… as a sheep before its shearers is silent” (Isaiah 53:7). Peter later wrote that when the Lord was reviled, He did not retaliate, but “committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:23). The Lord’s silence was not weakness. Silence became testimony: Herod had heard the prophet John and rejected him; now he stares at John’s Lord and receives no word. Persistent unbelief hardens the heart until the lamp of the body grows dark (Luke 11:34–36).

Mockery in Royal Robes
The chief priests and scribes stood by, “vehemently accusing Him” (Luke 23:10). Herod and his soldiers answered truth with contempt, dressed Jesus in a splendid robe, and mocked the King (Luke 23:11). The Psalms anticipated such scorn: “All those who see Me ridicule Me… saying, ‘He trusted in the LORD’” (Psalm 22:7–8). The faithful should not be surprised when ridicule rises against righteousness (Hebrews 12:2–3). The Lord bore insult with dignity and kept His mission in view.

A Cynical Friendship
“That very day Pilate and Herod became friends” (Luke 23:12). Their unity formed around opposition to Jesus. The nations rage, the rulers counsel together, yet God’s purpose stands (Psalm 2:1–3). The church later prayed these very words, naming “Herod and Pontius Pilate” who gathered “against Your holy Servant Jesus” (Acts 4:27). Alliances that despise truth are unstable. The King they mocked reigns at God’s right hand.

The Crowd, the Custom, and the Cowardice
Returned to Pilate, the Lord faced a manipulated custom. The governor proposed releasing a prisoner at the feast and presented two names: Barabbas—a robber, insurrectionist, and murderer—and Jesus, called the Christ (Matthew 27:15–23; Mark 15:7–11; Luke 23:18–25; John 18:40). Pilate knew the leaders had delivered Jesus “because of envy” (Mark 15:10). He declared the Lord innocent repeatedly, yet the leaders stirred the crowd to cry, “Crucify Him!” (Luke 23:20–23). Pilate’s handwashing echoed an ancient ritual (Deuteronomy 21:1–9), yet his basin could not cleanse guilt. “He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD” (Proverbs 17:15). The crowd even welcomed the responsibility: “His blood be on us and on our children” (Matthew 27:25). Words spoken in fury do not dissolve accountability before God.

What Jesus Teaches Before Herod
The Lord shows that miracles serve revelation and faith, never spectacle. He demonstrates that silence can be a holy answer when hearts refuse truth. He endures taunts without surrendering His mission. He refuses shortcuts to safety or success. The Christ remains faithful, and that fidelity calls disciples to resist the lure of entertainment-driven religion, to reject envy and mob pressure, to honor conscience formed by Scripture, and to pursue obedience that bears a cross (Luke 9:23).

The King Whose Kingdom Is Different
Jesus had already testified that His kingdom is not from this world’s source (John 18:36). He bore a robe of mockery, yet He reigns with genuine authority (Matthew 28:18). Paul reminded Timothy of the “good confession” Christ made “before Pontius Pilate” (1 Timothy 6:13). That confession culminated in a cross. The path of the King leads through suffering to glory. Disciples learn to walk the same path: steady in truth, humble in spirit, resolute in love.

“Jesus Before Herod” Sermon Outline:

• Text and Theme

  • Primary text: Luke 23:6–12.

  • Theme: Jesus reveals the purpose of signs, the power of silence, the danger of spectacle, and the path of faithful obedience.

• I. The Transfer to Herod (Luke 23:6–7)

  • Pilate hears “Galilee” and sends Jesus to Herod.

  • Political calculation contrasts with Christ’s steadfastness (John 19:11).

• II. Herod’s Desire for a Show (Luke 23:8)

  • Curiosity without repentance seeks entertainment.

  • Signs confirm the message and call to faith (John 20:30–31; Hebrews 2:3–4).

  • Worship centers on the Father (John 4:23–24).

• III. The Silence of the Lamb (Luke 23:9)

  • Prophecy fulfilled: Isaiah 53:7.

  • Holy restraint: 1 Peter 2:23.

  • Hardened hearts lose the light (Luke 11:34–36).

• IV. Contempt and Mockery (Luke 23:10–11)

  • False accusations from religious leaders.

  • Ridicule anticipated (Psalm 22:7–8).

  • Endurance modeled (Hebrews 12:2–3).

• V. A Friendship Formed in Unbelief (Luke 23:12)

  • Pilate and Herod join hands against truth.

  • God’s purpose stands (Psalm 2:1–3; Acts 4:27).

• VI. The Choice: Barabbas or Jesus (Matthew 27:15–26; Mark 15:7–15; Luke 23:18–25; John 18:40)

  • Barabbas: insurrectionist, murderer, robber.

  • Pilate recognizes envy (Mark 15:10) and declares innocence repeatedly.

  • The crowd demands crucifixion; Pilate capitulates.

  • Handwashing cannot remove guilt (Deuteronomy 21:1–9; Proverbs 17:15; Matthew 27:24–25).

• VII. Discipleship Lessons

  • Seek truth over spectacle (1 John 2:16).

  • Honor the Savior’s silence and courage (Isaiah 53:7; 1 Peter 2:23).

  • Resist envy and mob pressure (Mark 15:10; Galatians 5:26).

  • Follow the King who calls us to bear the cross (Luke 9:23; John 18:36).

Call to Action
Herod desired wonders while refusing repentance. Pilate recognized innocence while refusing courage. The crowd shouted while ignoring Scripture. Let us hear the King and answer in obedience. Believe His testimony (John 20:31), repent of sin (Acts 17:30), confess His name (Matthew 10:32), and be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16). Abide in His word and worship the Father in spirit and truth. The King who stood silent before Herod now reigns, and He invites you to follow Him today.

Key Takeaways

• Signs serve revelation and faith; they never serve spectacle (John 20:30–31; Hebrews 2:3–4).

• The Lord’s silence fulfilled prophecy and displayed holy restraint (Luke 23:9; Isaiah 53:7; 1 Peter 2:23).

• Envy and crowd pressure oppose truth and justice (Mark 15:10; Proverbs 17:15).

• Pilate’s ritual could not cleanse guilt; only obedient faith in Christ saves (Matthew 27:24–25; Acts 2:38).

• Discipleship chooses the cross and follows the King’s way (Luke 9:23; John 18:36; Hebrews 12:2–3).

Scripture Reference List

• Luke 23:6–12 — Jesus before Herod: curiosity, silence, mockery, Herod’s robe.

• John 19:11 — Pilate’s authority framed under God’s sovereignty.

• John 20:30–31; Hebrews 2:3–4 — Purpose of miracles: confirm the message, produce faith.

• John 4:23–24 — Worship in spirit and truth.

• 1 John 2:16 — The world’s desires: flesh, eyes, pride.

• Isaiah 53:7 — The silent suffering servant.

• 1 Peter 2:23 — The Lord’s patient endurance under insult.

• Luke 11:34–36 — The lamp of the body and spiritual sight.

• Psalm 22:7–8 — Prophetic mockery of the Messiah.

• Hebrews 12:2–3 — Jesus despised the shame and endured the cross.

• Psalm 2:1–3; Acts 4:27 — Rulers gathered against the Lord’s anointed; God’s purpose stands.

• Matthew 27:15–26; Mark 15:7–15; Luke 23:18–25; John 18:40 — Barabbas released, Jesus condemned.

• Mark 15:10 — Pilate recognized envy as the motive.

• Deuteronomy 21:1–9 — Handwashing ritual in cases of unknown bloodshed.

• Proverbs 17:15 — Condemning the just is abominable.

• Matthew 27:24–25 — Pilate’s handwashing and the crowd’s cry.

• John 18:36 — Christ’s kingdom is of a different source.

• 1 Timothy 6:13 — Christ’s good confession before Pilate.

• Acts 17:30; Matthew 10:32; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16 — The gospel’s call to repent, confess, and be baptized.

• Luke 9:23 — Daily cross-bearing for disciples.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO