And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

and Herod said, 'John I did behead, but who is this concerning whom I hear such things?' and he was seeking to see him.

And Herod said, "John I have beheaded; but who is this, of whom I hear such reports?" And he sought for an opportunity of seeing Jesus.

And Herod said, I put John to death: but who is this, of whom such stories are given to me? And he had a desire to see him.

But Herod himself said, "John I beheaded; but who is this of whom I hear such things?" And he endeavored to see him.

And Herod said, John have I beheaded,.... That is, he had ordered him to be beheaded, and which was accordingly done by the executioner; of which he had full proof, since the head was brought him in a charger, and which he delivered to the daughter of Herodias:
but who is this of whom I hear such things? such, wonderful things, such amazing miracles, as were done by Christ: he seems to have reasoned after this manner with himself, surely this cannot be John, for I have beheaded him! and yet who should it be? and whereas some affirmed, that it was John that was risen from the dead, he began to fear that it was he;
and he desired to see him: that he might be satisfied whether it was he or not; for he had had personal knowledge of John, and converse with him, and therefore, upon sight of him, could tell whether it was he that was risen from the dead, or not; but we do not find Herod had a sight of Christ, until he was sent by Pilate to him at Jerusalem; see Luke 23:7.

desired to see him--but did not, till as a prisoner He was sent to him by Pilate just before His death, as we learn from Luke 23:8.