Luke 23:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But they were urgent, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place."

NIV: But they insisted, "He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here."

NASB: But they kept on insisting, saying, 'He is stirring up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee, as far as this place!'

CSB: But they kept insisting, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he started even to here."

NLT: Then they became insistent. 'But he is causing riots by his teaching wherever he goes — all over Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem!'

KJV: And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

NKJV: But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.”

Pilate begins to face the doggedness of ancient Jerusalem's religious leaders. They have brought Jesus to him with a curious list of charges: "We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king" (Luke 23:2). In the few moments Pilate has had to question Jesus, he can tell Jesus isn't a threat. He has no army. His closest followers fled as soon as the soldiers arrived to arrest Him. Even the two who have swords are nowhere to be found.

Pilate gives his verdict: "I find no guilt in this man" (Luke 23:4).

The Sanhedrin tried to frame the issue in a way which would grab Pilate's attention. They say Jesus refused to let the Jews pay the Roman tax Pilate is responsible for collecting. This doesn't seem to work—in part because it's a complete lie (Luke 20:19–25). So, they try a different strategy. They claim Jesus is a threat to Pilate's responsibility to keep peace in his territory: Judea. This is odd because the Gospels record very few events of Jesus inside Judea except in Jerusalem and those towns between the Jordan River and Jerusalem. The Jewish rulers seem to add Galilee because Jesus has spent much more time in that district.

Critics can legitimately point to a few occasions in which Jesus stirred up the people. Most recently was the triumphal entry and the cleansing of the temple (Luke 19:28–40, 45–46). Another is when Jesus miraculously fed thousands of people and the crown wanted to make Him king (John 6:1–15). But Jesus never unified an army against Rome or threatened Pilate's authority: He did threaten the popularity of the religious leaders (John 11:45–53).

By mentioning that Jesus spends time in Galilee, the leaders accidentally give Pilate an avenue for escape. Pilate knows that Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee, is in Jerusalem. He sends Jesus to Antipas in hopes someone closer to the situation can explain what is going on. Antipas is more than glad to do what he can (Luke 23:6–12).

Luke 23:1–5 records how the Jewish religious leaders take Jesus to Pilate after questioning Him for most of the night (Luke 22:54–71). The Sanhedrin tries to convince Pilate that Jesus is a threat to the empire because He claims to be king. Their accusations include half-truths and outright lies, but Pilate does not find Jesus guilty. When Pilate discovers Jesus is from Galilee, he sends Him to Herod Antipas who happens to be in town for the Passover. Matthew 27:11–14 and Mark 15:1–5 record much of the same information; John 18:28–38 includes a conversation Pilate has with Jesus.

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.