Luke 23:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him.

NIV: The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him.

NASB: Now the chief priests and the scribes stood there, vehemently charging Him.

CSB: The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him.

NLT: Meanwhile, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law stood there shouting their accusations.

KJV: And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.

NKJV: And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him.

Jewish religious leaders bring Jesus to Pilate. They hope their accusations will convince Pilate that Jesus has broken the Roman law and qualifies for execution. Unfortunately for them, their charges are weak. Pilate knows Jesus is innocent (Luke 23:1–4; Matthew 27:18).

When Pilate learns Jesus is from Galilee, he sees a way to keep his good relations with the high priest but avoid accountability. Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and a cultural Jew, is in Jerusalem for Passover. Pilate sends Jesus and His accusers to Antipas (Luke 23:5–7).

Antipas is delighted to take Jesus. When Antipas first heard of Jesus, he thought back to John the Baptist, whom he'd beheaded. Antipas wondered if Jesus were John resurrected (Luke 9:7–9; Mark 6:14–16). He's grateful for the chance to question Jesus and maybe see a few miracles (Luke 23:8). Antipas keeps Jesus for some time. He questions Jesus, but Jesus refuses to respond (Luke 23:9). From Jesus' arrest to His crucifixion, He will answer questions about His identity (Luke 22:67–70; 23:3), but He will not defend Himself against legal charges (Mark 14:60–61; Mark 15:3–5).

We don't know what charges they bring against Jesus before Antipas. They told Pilate that Jesus stirs up the people, "misleads" the nation, forbids the Jews to pay Roman taxes, and claims to be the Christ, a king (Luke 23:2, 5). But just as Pilate doesn't see Jesus as a threat, neither does Antipas (Luke 23:15). Antipas and his soldiers humiliate Jesus and give Him royal robes before sending Him back to Pilate (Luke 23:11).

In Luke 23:6–12, Pilate discovers Jesus is from Galilee. So, he sends Him to Herod Antipas who is also in Jerusalem. The Sanhedrin charged Jesus with crimes which Pilate thinks are meaningless. Pilate hopes Antipas can uncover the truth (Luke 23:1–5). Antipas is delighted to have a chance to speak with Jesus. But he becomes disappointed when Jesus refuses to speak—even as council members shout their accusations. Antipas returns Jesus to Pilate, and the two become fast friends, although Pilate still has the Sanhedrin to deal with. Luke is the only gospel writer to include Jesus' trial before Antipas.

Luke 23 records the remaining trials, death, and burial of Jesus Christ. He is examined by the Roman governor and the local appointed King, neither of whom are interested in passing a death sentence. Local religious leaders incite the crowd, pressuring the governor, Pilate, to authorize crucifixion. Jesus accepts the faith of another condemned man and dies. Joseph of Arimathea asks for Jesus body and buries it in a tomb cut from rock.

Luke 23 records Jesus' civil trials, crucifixion, and burial. The members of the Sanhedrin have put Jesus through three trials in their attempt to convince Pilate He's a threat (Luke 22:47–71). Their case is weak, but their political influence is powerful enough to force Pilate's hand. Jesus is executed. Three days after Joseph of Arimathea buries Jesus, Jesus reappears on the road to Emmaus where He explains Messianic prophecies in Jewish Scriptures. After spending time with His followers, Jesus ascends into heaven (Luke 24) and the disciples build the church (Acts).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.