Luke 23:24 - Printer Friendly

Luke continues to use wording which must be understood in its context. "Their demand" is the insistence of a priest-led mob clamoring for Jesus to be executed. Pilate has declared Jesus' innocence and tried to release Him several times (Luke 23:4, 14–16, 20, 22). First the religious leaders demand Pilate destroy Jesus. Then they stir up a crowd (Mark 15:11). The crowd is in such frenzy they border on riot (Matthew 27:24).

Why does Pilate capitulate? For one, as governor he has the responsibility to determine who will be the high priest. Caiaphas is high priest from about AD 18 to 36; Pilate is governor from about AD 26 to 36. That suggests they have a good working relationship, something Pilate would be reluctant to disrupt.

Another possibility is Pilate's reputation for cruelty. History suggests that Pilate's frequent use of force bred unrest in his region—which is exactly the opposite of what Rome wanted. Luke 13:1 describes an event during which Pilate shed the blood of Galileans during sacrifices. We don't know what event this is referring to, but it seems to mean Pilate killed them during a previous Passover. If he refuses to crucify Jesus and the Jews riot, he will be required to respond with violence. Considering the timing, that's not a good idea. Another ugly incident could result in the loss of his position.

Pilate doesn't simply hand Jesus over. Matthew adds more detail:

"So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, 'I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.' And all the people answered, 'His blood be on us and on our children!'" (Matthew 27:24–25).

The people's cry is not a formal admission of guilt. It's the equivalent of a modern person saying, "let me worry about that, just do what I say."

Pilate didn't want to be seen as someone who failed to prevent a riot. Neither did he want to be known as someone who crucified an innocent man. Most of all, probably, Pilate didn't want to be manipulated in such an obvious way by the chief priests.

However, within a few years, Pilate will attack a group of Samaritans he thinks is trying to mount an insurrection. These people had been duped by a false prophet into looking for artifacts of Moses. He'll lose his office because of his careless cruelty.

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 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.