5th Trial, Jesus before Herod Antipas the Governor of Galilee and Perea

Luke 23:8-12. For His fifth trial, Jesus was brought before Herod Antipas for the first and only time.

He was the Governor of Galilee and Perea, 4BC-AD39, and one of the sons of Herod the Great.

This was the second of three trials in front of a Gentile leader. They were needed because Israel as an occupied territory could not pass the death sentence on anybody. Only the ruling Romans could pass the death sentence.

Even Herod Antipas, son of King Herod the Great, wanted to speak to Jesus. So this was his opportunity. Even so, he did not get what he wanted, which was to see some miracles performed by Jesus.

Background Reading:

5th Trial — Jesus Before Herod Antipas

23:6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 When he learned with certainty that Jesus came from Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was in Jerusalem at that time. 8 Now Herod was very glad to see Jesus, because he had been wanting to see him for a long time on account of what he had heard about him. He was also hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he continued to question him for a long time, but Jesus gave him no answer at all. 10 Meanwhile, the high priests and the scribes stood nearby and continued to accuse him vehemently. 11 Even Herod and his soldiers treated him with contempt and made fun of him. He put a magnificent robe on Jesus and sent him back to Pilate. 12 So Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day. Before this they had been enemies.
Luke 23:8-12


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