13Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people [23:14] and said to them: "You brought this man to me as one misleading the people. And look — having examined him before you, I found no basis for the charges you are bringing against him. [23:15] Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. And behold, nothing deserving death has been done by him. [23:16] Having chastised him, I will release him." [23:17] [He was obligated to release one to them at the feast.] [23:18] But they cried out all together: "Take this man away and release Barabbas to us!" [23:19] He was one who had been thrown into prison because of an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder. [23:20] Pilate addressed them again, wanting to release Jesus. [23:21] But they kept shouting: "Crucify, crucify him!" [23:22] He said to them a third time: "What evil has this man done? I found no grounds for death in him. Having chastised him, I will release him." [23:23] But they were pressing with loud voices, demanding he be crucified, and their voices prevailed. [23:24] Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. [23:25] He released the one who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, whom they demanded, and he handed Jesus over to their will.
LUK 23:13-25
The Crowd Chooses Barabbas
In the world it was spoken into
In the Roman judicial system, a provincial governor like Pilate held significant authority but was also sensitive to maintaining public order, especially during volatile times like Passover. The accusation that Jesus was 'misleading the people' carried weight in a context where Roman rulers feared insurrection , a term often linked to political unrest or factionalism. Pilate’s formal investigation reflects Roman legal procedure, emphasizing his role as a magistrate seeking to uphold justice. His decision to chastise Jesus before releasing him aligns with Roman practices of using disciplinary punishment as a deterrent rather than execution for minor offenses. The crowd’s demand for Barabbas, a known insurrectionist, highlights the tension between Roman authority and Jewish nationalist sentiments. In this honor-shame culture, Pilate’s reluctance to execute Jesus without clear guilt contrasts with the crowd’s insistence, driven by social pressure and perhaps fear of Roman reprisal. The scene underscores the precarious balance of power in Roman-occupied Judea.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
LUK 23:13
- KJV
- And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
- BSB
- Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,
- Koinōnos
- Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people
LUK 23:14
- KJV
- Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
- BSB
- and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him.
- Koinōnos
- and said to them: "You brought this man to me as one misleading the people. And look — having examined him before you, I found no basis for the charges you are bringing against him.
LUK 23:15
- KJV
- No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
- BSB
- Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death.
- Koinōnos
- Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. And behold, nothing deserving death has been done by him.
LUK 23:16
- KJV
- I will therefore chastise him, and release him.
- BSB
- Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”
- Koinōnos
- Having chastised him, I will release him.
LUK 23:17
- KJV
- (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)
- Koinōnos
- [He was obligated to release one to them at the feast.]
LUK 23:18
- KJV
- And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:
- BSB
- But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”
- Koinōnos
- But they cried out all together: "Take this man away and release Barabbas to us!
LUK 23:19
- KJV
- (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
- BSB
- (Barabbas had been imprisoned for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)
- Koinōnos
- He was one who had been thrown into prison because of an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.
LUK 23:20
- KJV
- Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.
- BSB
- Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again,
- Koinōnos
- Pilate addressed them again, wanting to release Jesus.
LUK 23:21
- KJV
- But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.
- BSB
- but they kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
- Koinōnos
- But they kept shouting: "Crucify, crucify him!
LUK 23:22
- 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.
- 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.”
- Koinōnos
- He said to them a third time: "What evil has this man done? I found no grounds for death in him. Having chastised him, I will release him.
LUK 23:23
- KJV
- And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
- BSB
- But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices for Jesus to be crucified. And their clamor prevailed.
- Koinōnos
- But they were pressing with loud voices, demanding he be crucified, and their voices prevailed.
LUK 23:24
- KJV
- And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.
- BSB
- So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met.
- Koinōnos
- Pilate decided that their demand should be granted.
LUK 23:25
- 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.
- BSB
- As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over to their will.
- Koinōnos
- He released the one who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, whom they demanded, and he handed Jesus over to their will.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.3.3
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.3.3
“And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, 9 those that loved him at the first did not forsake him”
Cited to ground: Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross
Translator's notes
LUK 23:14
- misleading:The word translated 'misleading' here implies turning someone away from the truth or from a proper path, suggesting a deliberate act of deception or perversion.
- having examined [Him]:The phrase 'having examined [Him]' refers to a formal, judicial investigation or interrogation, not just a casual look or inquiry.
LUK 23:16
- Having chastised:The word translated 'Having chastised' often carried the sense of discipline or instruction, sometimes involving physical punishment, aimed at correction or training, much like a parent disciplines a child.
LUK 23:19
- insurrection:The word translated 'insurrection' refers to a standing up or uprising, often implying civil strife, rebellion, or a violent disturbance of order.