A glimpse into the troubled mind of a powerful ruler

Today’s Gospel Reading Offers a Reflection on Power, Guilt, and the Search for Meaning

For Thursday, September 25, 2025, the Gospel reading is from Luke 9:7-9. This short passage offers a glimpse into the troubled mind of a powerful ruler, Herod Antipas, as he grapples with the growing influence of Jesus. The reading provides fertile ground for reflection for both Christian believers and those approaching the text from a secular perspective, touching on timeless themes of conscience, curiosity, and the human response to the extraordinary.

The passage reads as follows:

Luke 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets had arisen. Herod said, “John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he was seeking to see him.

A Message for the Christian Faithful: The Stirrings of a Guilty Conscience and the Limits of Worldly Power

For Christians, this passage is a poignant illustration of a conscience weighed down by sin. Herod is “perplexed,” a word that in the original Greek suggests deep confusion and anxiety. His immediate thought upon hearing of Jesus’ miracles is to connect them to John the Baptist, the man he had unjustly executed. This reveals a soul haunted by guilt, unable to escape the memory of his transgression. The specter of John’s righteousness looms large in Herod’s mind, so much so that he entertains the supernatural explanation that John has returned from the dead.

This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the emptiness of worldly power when confronted with the divine. Herod has the authority to imprison and kill, yet he is powerless over his own tormented conscience. His desire to “see” Jesus is not born of faith or a sincere desire for truth, but rather a mixture of fear, morbid curiosity, and perhaps a desperate hope to quell his inner turmoil. He seeks a spectacle, not a savior.

The Christian interpretation of this passage calls for an examination of one’s own heart. Unlike Herod’s superficial and self-serving curiosity, believers are called to seek Jesus with a sincere and open spirit, ready to repent and be transformed. It is a caution against a faith that is merely intellectual or based on a desire for signs and wonders, rather than a deep, personal relationship with Christ.

A Secular Perspective: Power, Rumor, and the Human Need to Understand

From a secular viewpoint, the passage offers a compelling psychological and political portrait. Herod Antipas is a man caught between the rational world of Roman governance and the deeply ingrained superstitions and messianic expectations of the people he rules. The various rumors about Jesus—that he is a resurrected John, the prophet Elijah, or another ancient prophet—highlight a society grappling with unexplained events and searching for meaning within their cultural and religious framework.

Herod’s reaction can be seen as a study in the anxieties of an autocratic ruler. The emergence of a charismatic figure with a powerful message and a growing following is a direct threat to his authority and the established order. His perplexity is not just spiritual but also political. Who is this man? What is the source of his power? And most importantly, what does his popularity mean for my rule?

The statement, “John I beheaded; but who is this…?” is laden with a mix of arrogant assertion of his own power and a profound sense of unease. He has demonstrated his ability to eliminate a threat once, but this new phenomenon is something different, something he cannot easily comprehend or control. His desire to see Jesus is an attempt to gather intelligence, to categorize and understand this new variable in his political landscape.

This passage speaks to the enduring human tendency to confront the unknown with a mixture of fear, fascination, and a desire for control. It illustrates how individuals in power often react to movements and ideas that challenge their worldview. Furthermore, it touches on the power of guilt as a motivating force, suggesting that even the most powerful are not immune to the psychological consequences of their actions. The story of Herod’s troubled mind serves as a timeless exploration of the human condition when faced with events that defy simple explanation.