The answer is: Herod

Luke 13:31-32

In Luke 13:31-32, Jesus is indeed referring to Herod Antipas as "that fox." Now, this isn’t just playful banter—when Jesus called Herod a fox, he was drawing attention to Herod's cunning and deceptive nature. In Jewish culture, a fox lacked the nobility that would traditionally be attributed to a leader. Herod was notorious for his indulgent lifestyle and level of intrigue, having even beheaded John the Baptist to please his political allies. Ouch!

This story is fascinating because it shows the tension between Jesus and political authority in a much darker context. At that time, Galilee was wrestling with oppressive rulers, and Jesus had a mission that threatened the status quo. Just a short while earlier in the same chapter, he talked about the dangers of the Jerusalem city, hinting at a special compassion for its people despite their neglect.

Fun fact: foxes frequently symbolize deceitfulness in various cultures, including Ancient Near Eastern literature. By invoking him this way, Jesus cleverly pointed out how hollow Herod's power truly was.

Moreover, this little episode echoes throughout the Bible, as other characters rebelled against wicked earthly rulers. Think of Daniel's defiance before Nebuchadnezzar or Esther’s courage when approaching Xerxes. It’s a timeless theme of standing strong against deceptive authority, urging believers to uphold integrity over political pressure.