“Tell That Fox”: Jesus’ Bold Rebuke of Herod and the Echoes of Edom
Luke 13:32 – A Loaded Statement
“Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.’”
— Luke 13:32 (ESV)
When Jesus called Herod Antipas a “fox,” He wasn’t just making a snide remark. He was issuing a fearless prophetic rebuke—strategic, theological, and culturally loaded. This statement is Jesus’ only recorded direct comment about Herod, and it speaks volumes about power, authority, and God’s unfolding plan.
Cultural Context: What Did "Fox" Mean in Jesus' Day?
In modern language, a “fox” might imply cleverness or charm. But in first-century Jewish culture, especially in rabbinic literature, the term meant something very different.
1. Cunning but Weak
- Foxes were sly but powerless—not noble like lions or bears.
- The phrase carried the idea of being deceptive and manipulative without true authority.
“The lion is king, the fox is a schemer who rules nothing.”
2. Destructive Pretenders
- Foxes were considered pests, especially in vineyards (see Song of Songs 2:15).
- They represented hidden danger—ruining things while pretending to be important.
Conclusion?
When Jesus called Herod a fox, He was essentially saying:
“Herod is a cunning, self-important manipulator—dangerous, but ultimately insignificant in God's plan.”
Jesus’ Fearless Response
Herod had already executed John the Baptist, and now the Pharisees warned Jesus that He could be next.
But instead of fleeing, Jesus says:
“Go and tell that fox…”
This is not submission—it’s bold defiance. Jesus refuses to alter His course. He continues healing, casting out demons, and walking toward His destiny. His ironic tone highlights that:
- Herod’s threats are irrelevant.
- God's plan is unstoppable.
- The true authority lies not in the palace, but with the Son of God on the street.
Lion vs. Fox: A Symbolic Showdown
Jewish tradition often uses animals as symbols of leadership:
Animal | Represents |
Lion | True king, noble power (Judah, Messiah) |
Fox | Deceiver, usurper, weak manipulator |
In Genesis 49:9–10, Judah is described as a lion, and this imagery is carried through to the Messiah—Jesus.
So when Jesus calls Herod a fox, He’s making a deeper claim:
“You are not the king. I am.”
Jesus, the Lion of Judah, boldly contrasts Himself with Herod, the fox from a false lineage.
Herod’s Edomite Heritage: A Prophetic Undercurrent
Who Was Herod?
- Son of Herod the Great, the king who tried to kill baby Jesus.
- Of Edomite (Idumean) descent—not from the tribe of Judah.
- Appointed by Rome, not by God.
- Participated in temple corruption and religious compromise.
This matters deeply. In Jewish thought, lineage mattered. The Messiah had to come from the line of David. Herod, as an Edomite, was a usurper.
*“You are not the Lion of Judah,” Jesus implies. “You’re the fox from Edom.”
Edom in the Bible: The Perpetual Rival
The Edomites—descendants of Esau—have a long, bitter history with Israel:
Biblical Pattern of Hostility:
Figure | Lineage | Opposition to Promise |
Esau | Edomite | Despised his birthright (Genesis 25) |
Edom (Nation) | Esau’s descendants | Rejoiced at Jerusalem’s fall (Obadiah 1:11–14) |
Herod the Great | Edomite–Idumean | Tried to kill baby Jesus (Matthew 2) |
Herod Antipas | Same | Sought Jesus’ death (Luke 13:31) |
Edom often stood aloof or even actively participated in Israel’s suffering, as shown in Obadiah and Psalm 137:7.
1 Esdras and the Burning of the Temple
A lesser-known but theologically rich source, 1 Esdras 4:45 (RSV), references how the Edomites helped burn the First Temple—a role often overshadowed by Babylon.
This connects Jesus’ use of “fox” to:
- Historical betrayal by Edom.
- Participation in sacrilege and desecration.
- An ongoing thread of enmity toward God’s covenant people.
In calling Herod a fox, Jesus may be identifying him with those who destroyed the temple—a powerful prophetic condemnation.
Prophetic Timetable: "On the Third Day..."
Jesus doesn't just insult Herod—He makes a messianic declaration:
“Today and tomorrow I cast out demons and heal... and on the third day I finish my course.”
This phrase echoes Hosea 6:2 and points forward to:
- Jesus’ death and resurrection.
- The completion of His earthly mission.
- God’s sovereign timing, untouched by political threats.
Jesus affirms:
“Herod doesn’t determine the schedule—I do.”
Why This Matters Theologically
Jesus’ words accomplish several things at once:
- Exposes Corruption: Herod is unmasked as a schemer, not a savior.
- Asserts Divine Authority: God's purposes are not controlled by politicians.
- Recalls Prophetic History: The Edomite threat continues—but so does God’s redemption.
- Foreshadows the Cross: Jesus moves toward His “course,” untouched by fear.
Conclusion: The Fox and the King
Herod sat in a palace, scheming in secret.
Jesus walked dusty roads, healing in public.
Only one had real authority—and it wasn’t the man in royal robes.
When Jesus said, “Tell that fox…”, He wasn’t just delivering an insult. He was:
- Condemning a false ruler.
- Declaring Himself the true King.
- Connecting the moment to a larger biblical drama of promise, betrayal, and redemption.
Herod, like the Edomites before him, stood against the covenant. But Jesus—the Lion of Judah—was fulfilling it.
And nothing, not even a fox, could stop Him.