Luke 23:17 - Printer Friendly

This verse is not found in the most reliable early copies of the Bible. The same idea is stated elsewhere in the New Testament (Matthew 27:15; Mark 15:6). It's possible a scribe copied the book and added notes on the margin. A later scribe who made a copy of the copy might think the note belonged in the text. So, the note became part of the copied text. Because of the massive number of New Testament manuscripts, such copyist errors are reasonably easy to determine. Several other verses in the Bible fit this description but none create contradictions or change interpretations.

Pilate has completed his legal investigation. This determined that Jesus has not stirred up the people. He has not told them to boycott Roman taxes. Nor has He presented Himself as a king who is going to threaten Roman occupation (Luke 23:1–5, 14). However, Jewish religious leaders have riled up a crowd. Pilate knows they will not take this verdict easily, so he offers to beat Jesus and release Him (Luke 23:16).

This verse introduces the reaction of the Jewish leaders and assembled mob. They do not want Jesus released. They would rather Pilate release Barabbas, a convicted insurrectionist and murderer. They want Jesus crucified (Luke 23:18–21). Pilate continues to proclaim Jesus' innocence, but the crowd becomes too volatile. Pilate feels he must give in or risk a rebellion led by Jesus' accusers (Luke 23:23–25).

Luke 23:13–19 contains Pilate's next attempt to convince the Sanhedrin that Jesus has done nothing worthy of death. He even offers to scourge Jesus before releasing Him. The Sanhedrin won't listen. Instead of Jesus, they'd rather Pilate release the insurrectionist Barabbas. Matthew 27:15–21 and Mark 15:6–11 roughly follow the same timeline, but John 18:39—19:5 includes details about what Jesus endures at the hands of Pilate's guards.

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.