Luke 23:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.

NIV: On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean.

NASB: Now when Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.

CSB: When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean.

NLT: Oh, is he a Galilean?' Pilate asked.

KJV: When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.

NKJV: When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean.

The Sanhedrin has gathered a crowd and is pushing Pilate to convict Jesus of a capital crime against Rome. Their argument is weak. They claim that Jesus is a threat to Pilate's ability to collect taxes—which is a lie—and his ability to keep the peace—which is unproven. They also say that Jesus claims to be the king of the Jews which places Him in rebellion against Caesar (Luke 23:1–2).

Pilate doesn't believe any of it. He can play the paranoid Roman leader as well as any other and he sees no threat in Jesus' actions except against the Jewish leaders (Matthew 27:18; Luke 23:4). But when they mention Jesus riles up the people in Galilee, he sees his chance. Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, is in Jerusalem. If Jesus is guilty of crimes against the Rome-authorized leadership, it will be in Galilee, not Judea. Pilate sends Jesus to Antipas who has wanted to talk to Jesus since he first heard of Him (Luke 9:7–9; 23:7–8).

Herod Antipas is the son of Herod the Great, who ordered the deaths of the baby boys in Bethlehem shortly after Jesus' birth (Matthew 2:16–18). His mother is Malthace, a Samaritan woman. Herod the Great's father was an Edomite—a descendant of Esau (Genesis 36:1)—whose people had converted to Judaism some time before. He was raised as a Jew. The Herods consider themselves Jewish in terms of religion and culture, if not strictly genetically. So, it's expected that Antipas would be in Jerusalem for Passover.

In Luke 23:6–12, Pilate discovers Jesus is from Galilee. So, he sends Him to Herod Antipas who is also in Jerusalem. The Sanhedrin charged Jesus with crimes which Pilate thinks are meaningless. Pilate hopes Antipas can uncover the truth (Luke 23:1–5). Antipas is delighted to have a chance to speak with Jesus. But he becomes disappointed when Jesus refuses to speak—even as council members shout their accusations. Antipas returns Jesus to Pilate, and the two become fast friends, although Pilate still has the Sanhedrin to deal with. Luke is the only gospel writer to include Jesus' trial before Antipas.

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.