NOTES for Luk 9:9
Herod always feared the coming of the Messiah. In fact, he most likely did not really believe in the Messiah. It would be more accurate to say that he feared any messianic movements that periodically flared up in different parts of Palestine. More often this happened in Judea, but sometimes also in Galilee, which Herod ruled. Herod hardly believed seriously in God, but he fully believed that another messianic movement could lead to his loss of power.
Meanwhile, in Gospel times many folk legends and images were connected with the Messiah. They were not always rooted in the sacred books; just as often, if not more often, their sources were popular traditions and legends, sometimes intricately intertwined with mythological motifs. One such motif was connected with the figure of the great prophet of antiquity, Elijah. The early prophetic books, to be precise, 2 Kings, mention Elijah's ascent to heaven. On the basis of this story a popular legend arose that before the coming of the Messiah, Elijah would return to earth in order to foretell His coming.
Herod was not a believer, but judging by the testimony of contemporaries, he was very superstitious. He feared the dead. Not those, of course, who rested in their tombs, but those who, as it seemed to him, could come out of these tombs and take revenge on him. Herod, of course, did not believe in resurrection, but he feared shades emerging from tombs. As well as heroes of popular legends descending from heaven. And now he was perplexed.
He had already executed John the Baptist. And he regretted this execution: it seems not to have been part of his plans; the decision was made, as often happened with Herod, in a fit of temper, out of stupidity and frivolity. And now it seemed to him that this Unknown One had come to avenge John. Herod did not understand the meaning of what was happening, but with some subconscious feeling he sensed a connection between the executed John and this incomprehensible new threat. This, however, did not bring him closer to understanding what was happening. Instinct and intuition are not enough for understanding; clear spiritual sight is needed, the sight that faith gives. Herod did not have such sight and could not have it.