Church Fathers Commentary Luke 9:7-9

"Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done: and he was much perplexed, because that it was said by some, that John was risen from the dead; and by some, that Elijah had appeared; and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. And Herod said, John I beheaded: but who is this, about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him." — Luke 9:7-9 (ASV)

St. John Chrysostom: It was not until a long time had passed that Herod took notice of the things Jesus did (to show you the pride of a tyrant), for he did not acknowledge them at first. As it is said, Now Herod heard...

Theophylact of Ohrid: Herod was the son of Herod the Great, who slew the children. The former was a king, but this Herod was a tetrarch. He inquired about Christ, asking who He was. Therefore, the text says, And he was perplexed.

St. John Chrysostom: For sinners are afraid both when they know and when they are ignorant. They fear shadows, are suspicious about everything, and are alarmed at the slightest noise.

Such is the nature of sin: when no one blames or finds fault, it betrays a person; when no one accuses, it condemns, making the offender timid and hesitant. The cause of Herod's fear is stated afterward in the words, Because it was said by some...

Theophylact of Ohrid: For the Jews expected a resurrection of the dead to a physical life of eating and drinking, but those who rise again will not be concerned with the deeds of the flesh.

St. John Chrysostom: When Herod heard of the miracles Jesus was performing, he said, John I have beheaded. This was not an expression of boasting, but a way of calming his fears and forcing his distracted soul to remember that he had killed John. And because he had beheaded John, he added, but who is this?

Theophylact of Ohrid: If John is alive and has risen from the dead, I will know him when I see him. As the text says, And he sought to see him.

St. Augustine of Hippo: Now Luke, though he follows the same order in his narrative as Mark, does not require us to believe that the course of events was identical. In his account, Mark testifies only that others (not Herod) said John had risen from the dead.

However, since Luke mentions Herod’s perplexity, we must suppose one of two things. The first is that after his initial perplexity, Herod came to believe what others were saying, since, as Matthew relates, he says to his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead. The second possibility is that Matthew's account must be interpreted in a way that shows Herod was still doubting.