Today's Gospel in Art - Herod the Tetrarch was anxious to see Jesus

Herod by James Tissot, 1894© Brooklyn Museum of Art, NY

Gospel of 24th September 2020 - Luke 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was being done by Jesus; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. But Herod said, 'John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?' And he was anxious to see Jesus.

Reflection on the Gouache on Paper

Herod the Tetrarch, who is mentioned in our Gospel reading today, is Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great. Herod the Great ordered the massacre of the innocents. Upon his death in 4AD, his son Herod Antipas took over the rule of Galilee and Perea, as a client state of the Roman Empire. Antipas divorced his first wife Phasaelis, in favour of Herodias, who had formerly been married to his half-brother Herod II. And as the New Testament recounts, it was John the Baptist's condemnation of this arrangement that led Antipas to have him arrested and subsequently beheaded.

Our drawing today by James Tissot is a very good rendering of what Herod Antipas might have looked like in terms of character traits: there is an arrogance about him; he is looking at us in a mean way, challenging us; his opulent dress style oozes decadence; the dagger and hands convey firmness as a ruler. A pretty good artwork, chilling even.

However, it is the last sentence of our reading 'and he was anxious to see Jesus' which is almost in contrast with the above. Was he really anxious to see Jesus? Why? Did he really want to get to know Jesus? I guess he was just one of those people who were anxious to 'have a look' at Jesus and seemingly engage, but protect themselves from any commitment.

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/554

Christian Art - www.christian.art