Luke 23:22 - Printer Friendly

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.”

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.

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.