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Luke 23:22
ESV A third time he said to them, "Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him."
NIV For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him."
NASB And he said to them a third time, 'Why, what has this man done wrong? I have found in His case no grounds for a sentence of death; therefore I will punish Him and release Him.'
CSB A third time he said to them, "Why? What has this man done wrong? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have him whipped and then release him."
NLT For the third time he demanded, 'Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.'
KJV And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.
NKJV Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.”

What does Luke 23:22 mean?

Pilate finds himself in the unlikely role of Jesus' defense attorney. Early that morning, members of the Sanhedrin brought Jesus, saying He threatened Pilate's ability to collect taxes and keep the peace. After questioning Him, Pilate declared Jesus innocent (Luke 23:1–5). Jesus' accusers let slip that He's from Galilee. Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee, is in Jerusalem for the Passover, so Pilate sent Jesus so Antipas might question Him. Antipas found Him frustratingly silent, but guiltless. Pilate reaffirmed Jesus' innocence and offered to beat Him before releasing Him (Luke 23:6–16).

At this point in Luke's account, Pilate isn't just trying to convince religious leaders. He also needs to convince the agitated, angry crowd who have been tricked. These people believe what the Sanhedrin are claiming: that Jesus has blasphemed God. The leaders convince the crowd to demand that Pilate release Barabbas, who is a real insurrectionist, and crucify Jesus (Luke 23:18–21; Matthew 27:20).

This is the last time Pilate defends Jesus. Jesus has done nothing morally reprehensible. He is not a threat to the Roman empire. He is a threat to the priests' popularity and pride (Matthew 27:18; John 11:48). But He's no threat to Pilate. Unfortunately, the Jewish leaders and the frenzied mob threaten something important to the Roman governor.

When Pilate tries to release Jesus again, the leaders threaten Pilate saying, "If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar" (John 19:12). When Pilate asks, "Shall I crucify your King?" the chief priests claim, "We have no king but Caesar" (John 19:15). If Pilate doesn't do as they say, they'll start a riot in Jerusalem and send word to Caesar that he's disloyal. Or, Pilate will need to initiate yet another bloody lockdown, leading to further strife.

Pilate doesn't see that as much of a choice, so he sends Jesus to the cross.
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