Luke 23:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

NIV: He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

NASB: And he released the man for whom they were asking, who had been thrown into prison for a revolt and murder; but he handed Jesus over to their will.

CSB: and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.

NLT: As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.

KJV: And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

NKJV: And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

Like the crowd before him, Pilate is persuaded by local religious leaders that Jesus should be crucified (Matthew 27:20). Unlike the crowd, Pilate understands that Jesus is innocent (Luke 23:4, 14–15, 22). At the same time, he knows that to not crucify Jesus will cause an insurrection. Pilate is willing to kill Jesus, not because Jesus will announce He is King and lead His followers in rebellion (Luke 23:2, 5), but because if He lives the mob controlled by the leaders will riot (Matthew 27:24).

Pilate "delivers" Jesus. This word is poignant. It is a form of the same Greek root word translated "betray" in the passage that describes how Judas conspires with the chief priests and officers (Luke 22:4–6). Jesus uses the word when He warns His disciples that family members will hand over His followers to the authorities (Luke 21:16). Yet it's also used to describe how Luke received Jesus' story (Luke 1:2).

It is Barabbas, the terrorist, who should be delivered to the cross. But the religious leaders have convinced a crowd to shout Pilate down and insist that Jesus be delivered, instead (Matthew 27:20, 24; Luke 23:18–19). Pilate washes his hands to ceremonially absolve himself of Jesus' murder. The crowd shouts, "His blood be on us and on our children!" (Matthew 27:24–25).

The "will" to which Pilate submits Jesus is especially heinous. Twice, Pilate has offered to "punish" Jesus—probably meaning to beat Him (Luke 23:16, 22). Instead, Jesus is scourged until the flesh is ripped from His body. Usually, crucifixion victims are tied to their crossbeam; Jesus is nailed (John 20:25, 27).

Luke is circumspect about the details. He does not mention the scourging or give details about the crucifixion. His point isn't about what Jesus endures but about who is responsible: the corrupt religious leaders, the mob, and the civil authorities.

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.