Gospel in Art: Herod heard about all that was being done by Jesus and was puzzled

Christ Before Herod, Illuminated miniature by Simon Bening (Flemish, from Prayer Book of Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg, Bruges, Flanders, 16C © JP Getty Museum, Los Angeles / Ms. Ludwig IX 19, fol. 143v, 83.ML.115.143v

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 22 September 2022
Luke 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was being done by Jesus; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. But Herod said, 'John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?' And he was anxious to see Jesus.

Reflection on the Flemish Illuminated Manuscript

Today's reading tells us how Herod, having heard about all that was being done by Jesus, was just burning with curiosity to figure out 'who was this Jesus that everyone was talking about'. Some claimed that Jesus was John the Baptist come back to life. But Herod himself had had John executed. Some people said that Jesus was Elijah or one of the other prophets. Anyway, in this reading we can sense Herod's confusion. Ultimately the desire of meeting Jesus would be fulfilled at the time of Jesus' trial: according to Luke, Pilate had Jesus sent to Herod, but in the presence of Herod Jesus does not speak a word. Herod was left with lots of unanswered questions.

We too are often left with unanswered questions. But rather than let them agitate us, as was the case with Herod, we must simply leave some of these questions in the hands of God.

Our illuminated miniature shows a scourged Christ standing in front of Herod, who is wielding his worldly sceptre of power. Jesus is looking away, downcast, in pain. He will not speak a word to Herod. Herod on the other hand is portrayed exactly as he is being described in our reading: agitated, standing, wanting answers, not understanding… with one hand on his hip conveying that he is impatient, too. He is left with all the questions. Jesus who doesn't speak, does have all the answers….

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/

Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-9-7-9-2022/