Herod's conscience was now far less sensitive than when he had trembled with horror at the request of Herodias for the head of John the Baptist. For a time he had felt the keen stings of remorse for his terrible act; but his moral perceptions had become more and more degraded by his licentious life. Now his heart had become so hardened that he could even boast of the punishment he had inflicted upon John for daring to reprove him. And he now threatened Jesus, declaring repeatedly that he had power to release or to condemn Him. But no sign from Jesus gave evidence that He heard a word.

Herodes samvittighed var nu langt mindre følsom end dengang, hvor han havde skælvet af frygt, da Herodias krævede Johannes Døbers hoved. En kort tid havde han følt et stærkt samvittighedsnag på grund af sin frygtelige udåd; men hans moralske opfattelse var blevet mere og mere fornedret på grund af hans lastefulde liv. Nu var hans sjæl blevet så forhærdet, at han endog pralede af den straf, han havde bragt over Johannes, fordi denne vovede at irettesætte ham. Og nu truede han Jesus ved gentagne gange at erklære, at han havde magt til at give ham friheden eller til at dømme ham. Men ikke en bevægelse fra Jesus tydede på, at han havde hørt, hvad han sagde.