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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Luke 23:13 - 23:17
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Luk_23:13-17
13Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14and said to them, "You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him. 15"No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him. 16Therefore I will punish Him and release Him." 17 [Now he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.]
Luk_23:13 This is surprising since the Sanhedrin brought Jesus to Pilate (cf. Luk_23:1) and accompanied Him to Herod (cf. Luk_23:10). Possibly Pilate took some time to conduct other business before returning to the trial of Jesus.
Luk_23:15 "has been done by Him" This is a periphrastic perfect passive. Jesus had not done anything during His life worthy of crucifixion. Here Luke emphasizes that the highest Roman official rejects the Jewish charges against Jesus!
Luk_23:16 "Therefore I will punish Him and release Him" This was a common procedure in Roman law. This punishment was mild compared to the severe flogging that occurred before crucifixion. It is from the root pais (child) and was used of discipline in 2Co_11:32 and Heb_12:6-7; Heb_12:10, but has a harsher connotation in 2Co_6:9.
There are many factors involved in Pilate's actions, but the most significant ones were
1. he acknowledged Jesus' innocence
2. he understood the Sanhedrin's manipulation and threats (cf. Joh_19:12)
3. his own wife had warned him (cf. Mat_27:19-20)
4. he was afraid of a riot during the Feast days (cf. Luk_23:18)
5. Pilate was very superstitious himself (cf. Joh_19:7-8)
Luk_23:17 Luk_23:17 is omitted from manuscripts P75, A, B, K, L, T, 070, or 0124, and the Old Latin, Vulgate, and Coptic versions, but is in the uncial manuscripts à , D (after Luk_23:19), W, and 063. This information is included in Mat_27:15; Mar_15:6; and Joh_18:39. The NASB and NKJV include the text with brackets. The NRSV, TEV, and NJB omit the verse and put it in a footnote. The UBS4 rates its omission as "A" (certain).