Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, "John has been raised from the dead"; others were saying, "Elijah has appeared"; still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen." But Herod said, "John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" And he kept trying to see him. (Lk 9:7-9)
Herod was greatly perplexed. And the people in general wondered at his teachings and miracles. The whole nation was receiving news and information about Jesus. Jesus became an important person in the whole nation.
Everyone was imagining Jesus to be someone very important. They thought of him to be someone of the past. People could not see or visualise greatness in the present times. They always linked greatness to the past. Good things and great things happened only in the past. They could not see greatness in Jesus as a present reality.
Jesus activities and preaching identified him to be one of the prophets of old. They thought that he would be Elijah. Elijah was supposed to come back at the end of times also he had no origin etc. He was also a prophet who proclaimed the truth about one true God. John was also like Elijah that is why he was also considered to be Elijah. Life of Jesus was like that of anyone prophets of the old. They could not see Jesus differently.
