King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Comment: People talk! And everybody knew that Jesus was at the centre of what was happening. Jesus was a ‘no-body’, so people’s imagination sought an answer as to how Jesus had this power. One of the old prophets come back to life, or maybe even the famous Elijah who had been, while still alive, taken to heaven in a chariot, they offered! John, the Baptiser, had been the most recent famous religious figure. Herod had had him beheaded but some said that they thought that Jesus was John brought back to life. Herod had been angry because John had dared to challenge him about the morality of marrying his brother’s wife. We’ll get a more complete picture tomorrow.
Prayer: Help me to be clear in my own mind as to who You are, Jesus.
As I read it! 
Thank you Barry for your comments on this passage. King Herod thought he had got rid of the one who criticized him for his immoral behaviour, but now there is another One whom Herod thought was John the Baptist risen from the dead! We humans find that by getting rid of someone who criticizes us gets rid of the problem. But unfortunately life doesn’t work that way. “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Num. 32:23. God bless you.
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