Luke 23:1-25
Jesus before Pilate and Herod
Read the passage
1Then the whole council rose and led Jesus away to Pilate.
2And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”
3So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.
4Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
5But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people all over Judea with His teaching. He began in Galilee and has come all the way here.”
6When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean.
7And learning that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself was in Jerusalem at that time.
8When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see Him perform a miracle.
9Herod questioned Jesus at great length, but He gave no answer.
10Meanwhile, the chief priests and scribes stood there, vehemently accusing Him.
11And even Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in a fine robe, they sent Him back to Pilate.
12That day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this time they had been enemies.
13Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,
14and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him.
15Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death.
16Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”
18But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”
19(Barabbas had been imprisoned for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)
20Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again,
21but they kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
22A third time he said to them, “What evil has this man done? I have found in Him no offense worthy of death. So after I punish Him, I will release Him.”
23But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices for Jesus to be crucified. And their clamor prevailed.
24So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met.
25As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over to their will.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The whole assembly rises and brings Jesus before Pilate. They accuse Him of misleading the nation, forbidding tribute to Caesar, and saying that He is Christ, a king. The claim about taxes contradicts what he taught: he told his questioners to give Caesar what belongs to Caesar.
Pilate asks whether Jesus is the King of the Jews. Jesus answers, “You have said so.” Pilate tells the chief priests and crowds that he finds no guilt in Jesus, but they insist that He stirs up the people throughout Judea.
When Pilate learns that Jesus is a Galilean, he sends Him to Herod, who is also in Jerusalem. Herod is glad because he has wanted to see Jesus and hopes to see a sign. He questions Jesus at length, but Jesus gives no answer.
The chief priests and scribes accuse Jesus vehemently. Herod and his soldiers treat Him with contempt, mock Him, dress Him in splendid clothing, and send Him back to Pilate. Pilate and Herod become friends that day, though they have been enemies.
Pilate tells the assembled leaders and people that neither he nor Herod has found an offense deserving death. He proposes punishment and release, but they demand Barabbas, a man imprisoned for insurrection and murder. Pilate again argues for releasing Jesus. Their cries for crucifixion grow insistent, and he gives the sentence they demand.
The guilty prisoner goes free; the man repeatedly declared innocent is handed over. Luke makes the injustice plain. Jesus is not condemned because the accusations have been established, but because the demand for his death prevails.
Questions
1 What charges do the leaders bring against Jesus?
AnswerThey accuse Him of misleading the nation, opposing Caesar's taxes, and claiming to be Christ, a king.
2 What does Pilate conclude?
AnswerPilate says he finds no guilt in Jesus, even after hearing the accusations brought by the leaders.
3 How does Herod treat Jesus?
AnswerHerod questions Him, receives no answer, then mocks Him with his soldiers, dresses Him in splendid clothing, and sends Him back.
4 Whom does the crowd ask Pilate to release?
AnswerThey ask for Barabbas, who was imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and demand that Jesus be crucified.
What This Means for Us
Pilate repeatedly says that Jesus has done nothing deserving death, yet agrees to the demand that he be crucified. Recognizing what is right is not enough if we abandon it when the pressure rises.
At home, we can practice the smaller acts that prepare us to stand for truth: refuse to repeat an accusation we have not checked, let the person being blamed speak, and admit when the crowd is wrong even if our friends are in it. Jesus' innocence does not change when powerful people decide against him.
Prayer
Righteous Jesus, keep our household truthful when crowds and authorities pressure us. Give us courage to protect the innocent, humility to examine accusations, and strength when doing right costs us approval. Amen.