Herod was glad [1] to see Jesus, of whom he had heard many wonderful things. He hoped to witness some great miracle. When Jesus was brought before him he asked many questions, prompted by idle curiosity. But our Lord, knowing his motive, made no answer[2] to any of his questions. Then Herod and his court mocked Jesus, and treated Him as a fool, and, clothing Him in a white garment[3], sent Him back to Pilate. And “Herod and Pilate were made friends[4] that same day, for before they were enemies one to another.”
COMMENTARY.
The Love of Jesus. Contemplate Jesus led about from one judgmentseat to the other, from Annas to Caiphas, from Caiphas to Pilate, from Pilate to Herod, and from Herod back again to Pilate; how much He suffered from false accusations, scoffs, mockery and ill-treatment, and then remember that He suffered all this for love of you, and to make satisfaction for your sins, whereby you have despised and offended God.
Jesus suffered patiently, and has taught us by His example that we too should be ready patiently to suffer scorn and persecution for His sake, for faith and for virtue.
Jesus suffered undeservedly. The traitor Judas was not the only one to affirm his Lord’s innocence. The Roman governor openly declared: “I find no cause in this Man”; neither could Herod discover any guilt in Jesus, although the chief priests and scribes “earnestly accused Him”; and not being able to condemn Him, he treated Him
- ↑ Glad. This pleasure-seeking, worldly-minded prince expected to be amused and distracted by his interview with Jesus, and hoped that He would work wonders before him and his court, just as any juggler might do.
- ↑ No answer. Because Herod only wished to amuse himself and satisfy his vain curiosity. He cared nothing about the truth, nor did he trouble his head about the accusations brought against our Lord by the Pharisees (Luke 23, 10). His pride, however, was nettled by the silence of Jesus, which was so complete that he did not even hear the sound of His voice. He revenged himself by treating our Blessed Lord like a fool, and his officers and retainers did the same.
- ↑ While garment. This was done to make Jesus appear like a ridiculous, half-witted would-be-king.
- ↑ Friends. Pilate had offended Herod by encroaching on his rights, but his action in sending Jesus to him flattered Herod, who took it as an act of courteous attention and deference to his position. Our innocent Lord had to pay the price of this selfish friendship between His unjust judges, neither of whom cared to do justice to Him. Jesus had much to suffer on His road to Herod's house, and still more on His return to Pilate; for it was now broad daylight, and as He passed along, dressed in His robe of mockery and surrounded by Herod’s myrmidons, a crowd of people gathered round Him, at whose hands he had to suffer countless insults and injuries.
