What does Luke 23:16 mean?

The chief priests, elders, and scribes brought Jesus to Pilate, insisting that He is committing crimes that will lead to a revolt against Pilate. Pilate considered the evidence and determined their accusations are meritless. He even sent Jesus to Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee, for confirmation (Luke 23:1–11). Antipas, too, thinks Jesus is innocent (Luke 23:15)—a strong testimony for someone who had little love for Jesus or His followers (Mark 6:17).

Having fulfilled the procedure of a legal Roman investigation, Pilate again declares Jesus innocent. But he proposes a compromise: to have Jesus "punished" before releasing Him.

"Punish" is from the Greek word paideusas which means "discipline." It means to educate someone so they make wise life choices, but "educate" often means to whip or scourge someone. Historical sources say that the extent of the punishment was left to the authority. Pilate may have meant to have Jesus beaten. He just wants to satisfy the blood lust of the Jewish leaders and their energetic crowd. He would prefer Jesus stop antagonizing them. The Sanhedrin will react in much the same way to the disciples when they refuse to stop talking about Jesus' resurrection (Acts 5:40–41).

Jesus' accusers are not so easily satisfied. They insist Pilate crucify Jesus: that He die the worst possible death. It's not clear if Pilate has Jesus beaten here. When he finally agrees to send Jesus to the cross, Jesus is scourged: whipped to the point that the flesh is torn away from His body (Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15; John 19:1–5). Whether because of his respect for Jesus or because of Theophilus's sensitivities, Luke glosses over details about the violence Jesus suffers.