Jesus encounters Pharisees outside Jerusalem. They say that Jesus should Jesus because Herod wants to kill him.
This may or not be a lie. At the very least, the Pharisees are essentially stating that the Roman authorities will do something about Jesus, even if they cannot get Jesus to leave.
It might be a lie because Herod did want to see Jesus because he thought that Jesus was the resurrected John the Baptist. It seemed that Herod was happy about this possibility since he grown to like John the Baptist. However, we know that the Pharisees are actively plotting against Jesus and could very well have told Herod a half truth that Jesus claims to be king and is inciting a revolt against Herod. We do not know what is going on behind the scenes, but this is a very real possibility and well within the motivation and power of the Pharisees to do. Jumping ahead, this issue was a central element to the trial and execution of Jesus and this may the beginning of the idea.
Further, Jesus does not dispute that Herod wants to kill him. Rather, he states that the Pharisees should go tell "that fox Herod" that he will continue healing for another two days and on the third day he will reach his goal. Jesus explains this on a literal level in that he cannot die in the next days because prophets do not die outside Jerusalem.
Figuratively, it also refers to the resurrection. Healing and his own resurrection are very common things Jesus talks about with the Pharisees whereas with his followers, Jesus mentors and nurtures discipleship.
Jesus then laments on Jerusalem. He knows he will not see Jerusalem again until the week of his death.
No comments:
Post a Comment