6When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. [23:7] And learning that he was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was himself also in Jerusalem during those days. [23:8] When Herod saw Jesus he was very glad, for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some sign performed by him. [23:9] He questioned him at length, but Jesus answered him nothing. [23:10] The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. [23:11] Herod, along with his soldiers, having set him at naught and mocked him, dressed him in splendid apparel and sent him back to Pilate. [23:12] On that same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other — for before this they had been hostile toward each other.
LUK 23:6-12
Jesus before Herod
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st century, Galilee was a distinct region under the jurisdiction of Herod Antipas, a client king appointed by Rome. Pilate, as the Roman prefect of Judea, recognized Herod’s authority over Galilee and deferred Jesus’ case to him, a gesture of political courtesy. Herod’s eagerness to see Jesus reflects the widespread curiosity about Jesus’ miracles and teachings, which were often interpreted as signs of divine power or messianic claims. Herod’s expectation of a miraculous sign aligns with the cultural fascination with wonder-workers and prophets in the Jewish and Greco-Roman world. Jesus’ silence before Herod would have been striking, as it defied the honor-shame dynamics of the time, where silence could be seen as contempt or refusal to engage. Herod’s mockery and dressing Jesus in splendid clothing likely symbolized a derisive parody of kingship, mocking Jesus’ messianic claims. This interaction underscores the political tensions and power dynamics between Roman and Herodian authorities.
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How other translations render this
LUK 23:6
- KJV
- When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.
- BSB
- When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean.
- Koinōnos
- When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.
LUK 23:7
- KJV
- And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
- BSB
- And learning that Jesus was under Herodʼs jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself was in Jerusalem at that time.
- Koinōnos
- And learning that he was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was himself also in Jerusalem during those days.
LUK 23:8
- KJV
- And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
- BSB
- When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see Him perform a miracle.
- Koinōnos
- When Herod saw Jesus he was very glad, for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some sign performed by him.
LUK 23:9
- KJV
- Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
- BSB
- Herod questioned Jesus at great length, but He gave no answer.
- Koinōnos
- He questioned him at length, but Jesus answered him nothing.
LUK 23:10
- KJV
- And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
- BSB
- Meanwhile, the chief priests and scribes stood there, vehemently accusing Him.
- Koinōnos
- The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him.
LUK 23:11
- KJV
- And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
- BSB
- And even Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in a fine robe, they sent Him back to Pilate.
- Koinōnos
- Herod, along with his soldiers, having set him at naught and mocked him, dressed him in splendid apparel and sent him back to Pilate.
LUK 23:12
- KJV
- And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
- BSB
- That day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this time they had been enemies.
- Koinōnos
- On that same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other — for before this they had been hostile toward each other.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 23:7
- jurisdiction:The word translated 'jurisdiction' refers to the right to exercise authority or power over a particular area or group of people, implying a legal and recognized dominion.
LUK 23:8
- some:The word translated 'some' here is more accurately understood as a 'sign' or 'miracle'—an extraordinary event intended to convey a message or demonstrate divine power.
LUK 23:11
- Having set at naught:The phrase translated 'Having set at naught' conveys a strong sense of treating someone with utter contempt, despising them as worthless, or completely disregarding them.
- apparel:The word translated 'apparel' describes clothing that is bright, radiant, or splendid, often implying richness or distinction, rather than just any garment.