LUK 23

Luke 23:22

WEB

He said to them the third time, “Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.”

BSB

A third time he said to them, “What evil has this man done? I have found in Him no offense worthy of death. So after I punish Him, 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.

Matthew Henry

Verses 13–25

Luke 23:13–25

We have here the blessed Jesus run down by the mob, and hurried to the cross in the storm of a popular noise and tumult, raised by the malice and artifice of the chief priests, as agents for the prince of the power of the air.

I. Pilate solemnly protests that he believes he has done nothing worthy of death or of bonds. And, if he did believe so, he ought immediately to have discharged him, and not only so, but to have protected him from the fury of the priests and rabble, and to have bound his prosecutors to their good behaviour for their insolent conduct. But, being himself a bad man, he had no kindness for Christ, and, having made himself otherwise obnoxious, was afraid of displeasing either the emperor or the people; and therefore, for want of integrity, he called together the chief priests, and rulers, and people (whom he should have dispersed, as a riotous and seditious assembly, and forbid them to come near him), and will hear what they have to say, to whom he should have turned a deaf ear, for he plainly saw what spirit actuated them (Luk 23:14): "You have brought," saith he, "this man to me, and, because I have a respect for you, I have examined him before you, and have heard all you have to allege against him, and I can make nothing of it: I find no fault in him; you cannot prove the things whereof you accuse him."

II. He appeals to Herod concerning him (Luk 23:15): "I sent you to him, who is supposed to have known more of him than I have done, and he has sent him back, not convicted of any thing, nor under any mark of his displeasure; in his opinion, his crimes are not capital. He has laughed at him as a weak man, but has not stigmatized him as a dangerous man." He thought Bedlam a fitter place for him than Tyburn.

III. He proposes to release him, if they will but consent to it. He ought to have done it without asking leave of them, Fiat justitia, ruat coelum - Let justice have its course, though the heavens should be desolated. But the fear of man brings many into this snare, that, whereas justice should take place, though heaven and earth come together, they will do an unjust thing, against their consciences, rather than pull an old house about their ears. Pilate declares him innocent, and therefore has a mind to release him; yet, to please the people, 1. He will release him under the notion of a malefactor, because of necessity he must release one (Luk 23:17); so that whereas he ought to have been released by an act of justice, and thanks to nobody, he would have him released by an act of grace, and not be beholden to the people for it. 2. He will chastise him, and release him. If no fault be to be found in him, why should he be chastised? There is as much injustice in scourging as in crucifying an innocent man; nor would it be justified by pretending that this would satisfy the clamours of the people, and make him the object of their pity who was not to be the object of their envy. We must not do evil that good may come.

IV. The people choose rather to have Barabbas released, a wretched fellow, that had nothing to recommend him to their favour but the daringness of his crimes. He was imprisoned for a sedition made in the city, and for murder (of all crimes among men the least pardonable), yet this was the criminal that was preferred before Christ: Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas, Luk 23:18, Luk 23:19. And no wonder that such a man is the favourite and darling of such a mob, he that was really seditious, rather than he that was really loyal and falsely accused of sedition.

V. When Pilate urged the second time that Christ should be released, they cried out, Crucify him, crucify him, Luk 23:20, Luk 23:21. They not only will have him die, but will have him die so great a death; nothing less will serve but he must be crucified: Crucify him, crucify him.

VI. When Pilate the third time reasoned with them, to show them the unreasonableness and injustice of it, they were the more peremptory and outrageous (Luk 23:22): "Why? What evil hath he done? Name his crime. I have found no cause of death, and you cannot say what cause of death you have found in him; and therefore, if you will but speak the word, I will chastise him and let him go." But popular fury, the more it is complimented, the more furious it grows; they were instant with loud voices, with great noises or outcries, not requesting, but requiring, that he might be crucified; as if they had as much right, at the feast, to demand the crucifying of one that was innocent as the release of one that was guilty.

VII. Pilate's yielding, at length, to their importunity. The voice of the people and of the chief priests prevailed, and were too hard for Pilate, and overruled him to go contrary to his convictions and inclinations. He had not courage to go against so strong a stream, but gave sentence that it should be as they required, Luk 23:24. Here is judgment turned away backward, and justice standing afar off, for fear of popular fury. Truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter, Isa 59:14. Judgment was looked for, but behold oppression; righteousness, but behold a cry, Isa 5:7. This is repeated in Luk 23:25, with the aggravating circumstance of the release of Barabbas: He released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, who hereby would be hardened in his wickedness, and do the more mischief, because him they had desired, being altogether such a one as themselves; but he delivered Jesus to their will, and he could not deal more barbarously with him than to deliver him to their will, who hated him with a perfect hatred, and whose tender mercies were cruelty.

Cross-references: Luke 23:14 · Luke 23:15 · Luke 23:17 · Luke 23:18 · Luke 23:19 · Luke 23:20 · Luke 23:21 · Luke 23:22 · Luke 23:24 · Isa 59:14 · Isa 5:7 · Luke 23:25

Greek interlinear

G3588

ho/ho/

the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc

, including the feminine , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;

Derivation: the definite article;

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)

KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

G1161

δέ/deh/

also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English)

Derivation: a primary particle (adversative or continuative);

but, and, etc.

KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).

G5154

τρίτοςtrítos/tree'-tos/

third(-ly)

Derivation: ordinal from G5140;

third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly

KJV: third(-ly).

See also: G5140.

G3004

λέγωlégō/leg'-o/

ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter

Derivation: a primary verb;

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 and G5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 is properly to break silence merely, and G2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean

KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.

See also: G2036, G5346, G4483, G2980.

G4314

πρόςprós/pros/

about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in)

Derivation: a strengthened form of G4253;

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated)

KJV: about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in).

In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.

See also: G4253.

G846

αὐτόςautós/ow-tos'/

her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which

Derivation: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of G109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward);

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.

Compare G848.

See also: G109, G1438, G848.

G5101

τίςtís/tis/

every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why

Derivation: probably emphatic of G5100;

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

KJV: every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.

See also: G5100.

G1063

γάρgár/gar/

and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet

Derivation: a primary particle;

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

KJV: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.

G2556

κακόςkakós/kak-os'/

bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked

Derivation: apparently a primary word;

worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas G4190 properly refers to effects), i.e. (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious

KJV: bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked.

See also: G4190.

G4160

ποιέωpoiéō/poy-eh'-o/

abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield

Derivation: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary;

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

KJV: abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield.

Compare G4238.

See also: G4238.

G3778

οὗτοςhoûtos/hoo'-tos/

he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who

, including nominative masculine plural οὗτοι , nominative feminine singular αὕτη , and nominative feminine plural αὕται

Derivation: from the article G3588 and G846;

the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated)

KJV: he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who.

See also: G846, G3588.

G3762

οὐδείςoudeís/oo-dice'/

any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought

, including feminine οὐδεμία , and neuter οὐδέν

Derivation: from G3761 and G1520;

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing

KJV: any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought.

See also: G3761, G1520.

G159

αἴτιοςaítios/ah'-ee-tee-os/

author

Derivation: from the same as G154;

causative, i.e. (concretely) a causer

KJV: author.

See also: G154.

G2288

θάνατοςthánatos/than'-at-os/

X deadly, (be…) death

Derivation: from G2348;

(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)

KJV: X deadly, (be…) death.

See also: G2348.

G2147

εὑρίσκωheurískō/hyoo-ris'-ko/

find, get, obtain, perceive, see

,

Derivation: a prolonged form of a primary εὕρω , which (together with another cognate form) εὑρέω is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect;

to find (literally or figuratively)

KJV: find, get, obtain, perceive, see.

G1722

ἐνen/en/

about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in)

Derivation: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537);

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.

KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in).

Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.

See also: G1519, G1537.

G3811

παιδεύωpaideúō/pahee-dyoo'-o/

chasten(-ise), instruct, learn, teach

Derivation: from G3816;

to train up a child, i.e. educate, or (by implication), discipline (by punishment)

KJV: chasten(-ise), instruct, learn, teach.

See also: G3816.

G3767

οὖνoûn/oon/

and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore

Derivation: apparently a primary word;

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

KJV: and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.

G630

ἀπολύωapolýō/ap-ol-oo'-o/

(let) depart, dismiss, divorce, forgive, let go, loose, put (send) away, release, set at liberty

Derivation: from G575 and G3089;

to free fully, i.e. (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce

KJV: (let) depart, dismiss, divorce, forgive, let go, loose, put (send) away, release, set at liberty.

See also: G575, G3089.

Bible49 app

Get translation compare, commentary, and interlinear study — offline, on iPhone and Mac.

See Bible49