Luke 23:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus,

NIV: Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again.

NASB: But Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again,

CSB: Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again,

NLT: Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus.

KJV: Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.

NKJV: Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them.

Jewish religious leaders have cornered the Roman governor, Pilate, in a political dilemma. Along with a mob, Jerusalem's leadership brought Jesus whom they claimed was calling Himself king and disturbing the Jews from Judea to Galilee. Pilate questioned Jesus and found Him innocent. But no matter what he does, the crowd refuses to accept his verdict (Luke 23:1–5, 13–19).

Pilate wants to release Jesus for several reasons. First, of course, He's innocent, and Pilate has no desire to do someone else's dirty work. Second, even Herod Antipas agrees that Jesus doesn't deserve death (Luke 23:15). Third, Pilate's wife has had a dream; she wants him to "have nothing to do with that righteous man" (Matthew 27:19). Pilate is a high-ranking Roman soldier. He knows the Jewish leadership is jealous of Jesus' popularity (Matthew 27:18). But he can't figure out how to cut through their pride so they will accept the truth.

Now, the throng of protestors insist Pilate release Barabbas, not Jesus, for a traditional Passover pardon. Barabbas is an insurrectionist and a murderer (Luke 23:18–19). He's been proven to be more of a criminal than they've claimed Jesus is.

Luke's narrative puts the responsibility for Jesus' death firmly on the leaders and the people, but Pilate is not upheld as innocent. He "desires" to release Jesus, yet he could easily use his power as governor to do so. Ancient history suggests that Rome had warned Pilate about his overly violent responses to Jewish unrest. He may have been concerned that defying the mob would spark the very insurrection Jewish leaders claimed they're trying to avoid.

Luke 23:20–25 is Pilate's last attempt to convince the Sanhedrin that Jesus has done nothing wrong. Still, the religious leaders demand that Jesus be crucified and Barabbas be freed. Finally, Pilate does as they insist (Mark 15:12–15). Matthew 27:22–26 adds that Pilate absolves himself and the leaders casually accept responsibility. John 19:6–16 includes that Jesus refuses to defend Himself, Pilate becomes afraid, and the religious leaders threaten Pilate that if he releases Jesus he is not Caesar's friend.

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.