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Luke 23

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Adam Clarke Bible Commentaryv. 1

The whole multitude - It seems most probable that the chief priests, elders, scribes, and captains of the temple, together with their servants, dependents, and other persons hired for the purpose, made up the multitude mentioned here. The common people were generally favourers of Christ; and for this reason the Jewish rulers caused him to be apprehended in the night, and in the absence of the people, Luk 22:6, and it was now but just the break of day, Luk 22:66.

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brownv. 1

JESUS BEFORE HEROD. (Luk 23:6-12) sent him to Herod--hoping thus to escape the dilemma of an unjust condemnation or an unpopular release. at Jerusalem . . . at that time--to keep the passover.

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John Gill Bible Commentaryv. 1

And the whole multitude of them,.... Of the chief priests, Scribes, and elders; the whole of the sanhedrim, excepting Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea, having in their court condemned Christ to death: arose; from the council chamber, where they sat in judgment upon him: and led him unto Pilate, the Roman governor, and into the praetorium, or judgment hall, where causes were tried by him; hither they brought Jesus, having bound him as a prisoner and a malefactor, that their sentence might be confirmed by civil authority, and that he might be put to the death of the cross, which was a Roman punishment.

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Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 1

Our Lord Jesus was condemned as a blasphemer in the spiritual court, but it was the most impotent malice that could be that this court was actuated by; for, when they had condemned him, they knew they could not put him to death, and therefore took another course. I. They accused him before Pilate. The whole multitude of them arose, when they saw they could go no further with him in their court, and led him unto Pilate, though it was no judgment day, no assizes or sessions; and they demanded justice against him, not as a blasphemer (that was no crime that he took cognizance of), but as one disaffected to the Roman government, which they in their hearts did not look upon as any crime at all, or, if it was one, they themselves were much more chargeable with it than he was; only it would serve the turn and answer the purpose of their malice: and it is observable that that which was the pretended crime, for which they employed the Roman powers to destroy Christ, was the real crime for which the Roman powers not long after destroyed them. 1. Here is the indictment drawn up against him (Luk 23:2), in which they pretended a zeal for Caesar, only to ingratiate themselves with Pilate, but it was all malice against Christ, and nothing else. They misrepresented him, (1.) As making the people rebel against Caesar. It was true, and Pilate knew it, that there was a general uneasiness in the people under the Roman yoke, and they wanted nothing but an opportunity to shake it off; now they would have Pilate believe that this Jesus was active to foment that general discontent, which, if the truth was known, they themselves were the aiders and abettors of: We have found him perverting the nation; as if converting them to God's government were perverting them from the civil government; wher…

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Tyndale Open Study Notesv. 1

23:1 The council did not have the right to administer capital punishment (John 18:31), so they had to take Jesus before the Roman governor, who was in Jerusalem to maintain order during the potentially turbulent Passover festival.

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 1

καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἅπας (hápas, G537) — absolutely all or (singular) every one πλῆθος (plēthos, G4128) — a fulness, i.e. a large number, throng, populace αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀνίστημι (anístēmi, G450) — to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive) ἄγω (ágō, G71) — properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… Πιλᾶτος (Pilâtos, G4091) — close-pressed, i.e. firm; Pilatus, a Roman

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Strong's Concordancev. 2

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἄρχομαι (árchomai, G756) — to commence (in order of time) κατηγορέω (katēgoréō, G2723) — to be a plaintiff, i.e. to charge with some offence αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… εὑρίσκω (heurískō, G2147) — to find (literally or figuratively) τοῦτον (toûton, G5126) — this (person, as objective of verb or preposition) διαστρέφω (diastréphō, G1294) — to distort, i.e. (figuratively) misinterpret, or (morally) corrupt ἔθνος (éthnos, G1484) — a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κωλύω (kōlýō, G2967) — to estop, i.e. prevent (by word or act) δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… φόρος (phóros, G5411) — a load (as borne), i.e. (figuratively) a tax (properly, an individual assessment on… Καῖσαρ (Kaîsar, G2541) — Cæsar, a title of the Roman emperor

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Strong's Concordancev. 3

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Πιλᾶτος (Pilâtos, G4091) — close-pressed, i.e. firm; Pilatus, a Roman ἐπερωτάω (eperōtáō, G1905) — to ask for, i.e. inquire, seek αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… εἶ (eî, G1488) — thou art σύ (sý, G4771) — thou βασιλεύς (basileús, G935) — a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively) Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaîos, G2453) — Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… φημί (phēmí, G5346) — to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. speak or say

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Strong's Concordancev. 4

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) Πιλᾶτος (Pilâtos, G4091) — close-pressed, i.e. firm; Pilatus, a Roman πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús, G749) — the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὄχλος (óchlos, G3793) — a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people;… εὑρίσκω (heurískō, G2147) — to find (literally or figuratively) οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing αἴτιον (aítion, G158) — a reason or crime (like G156 (αἰτία)) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. τούτῳ (toútōi, G5129) — to (in, with or by) this (person or thing) ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being

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Strong's Concordancev. 5

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐπισχύω (epischýō, G2001) — to avail further, i.e. (figuratively) insist stoutly λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἀνασείω (anaseíō, G383) — figuratively, to excite λαός (laós, G2992) — a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace) διδάσκω (didáskō, G1321) — to teach (in the same broad application) κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… ὅλος (hólos, G3650) — "whole" or "all", i.e. complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter)… Ἰουδαία (Ioudaía, G2449) — the Judæan land (i.e. Judæa), a region of Palestine ἄρχομαι (árchomai, G756) — to commence (in order of time) ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… Γαλιλαία (Galilaía, G1056) — Galilæa (i.e. the heathen circle), a region of Palestine ἕως (héōs, G2193) — a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

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Strong's Concordancev. 6

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Πιλᾶτος (Pilâtos, G4091) — close-pressed, i.e. firm; Pilatus, a Roman ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) Γαλιλαία (Galilaía, G1056) — Galilæa (i.e. the heathen circle), a region of Palestine ἐπερωτάω (eperōtáō, G1905) — to ask for, i.e. inquire, seek εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are Γαλιλαῖος (Galilaîos, G1057) — Galilean or belonging to Galilea

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Strong's Concordancev. 7

καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐπιγινώσκω (epiginṓskō, G1921) — to know upon some mark, i.e. recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with,… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) Ἡρώδης (Hērṓdēs, G2264) — heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings ἐξουσία (exousía, G1849) — privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively)… ἀναπέμπω (anapémpō, G375) — to send up or back αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. Ἱεροσόλυμα (Hierosólyma, G2414) — Hierosolyma (i.e. Jerushalaim), the capitol of Palestine ταύταις (taútais, G5025) — (to or with or by, etc.) these

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Strong's Concordancev. 8

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Ἡρώδης (Hērṓdēs, G2264) — heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites λίαν (lían, G3029) — much (adverbially) χαίρω (chaírō, G5463) — to be "cheer"ful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation… γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) θέλω (thélō, G2309) — to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 (βούλομαι)… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) ἱκανός (hikanós, G2425) — competent (as if coming in season), i.e. ample (in amount) or fit (in character) διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses)

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Strong's Concordancev. 9

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐπερωτάω (eperōtáō, G1905) — to ask for, i.e. inquire, seek αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἱκανός (hikanós, G2425) — competent (as if coming in season), i.e. ample (in amount) or fit (in character) λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing

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Strong's Concordancev. 10

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús, G749) — the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… γραμματεύς (grammateús, G1122) ἵστημι (hístēmi, G2476) — to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or… εὐτόνως (eutónōs, G2159) — in a well-strung manner, i.e. (figuratively) intensely (in a good sense, cogently; in a… κατηγορέω (katēgoréō, G2723) — to be a plaintiff, i.e. to charge with some offence αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…

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Strong's Concordancev. 11

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Ἡρώδης (Hērṓdēs, G2264) — heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings σύν (sýn, G4862) — with or together (but much closer than G3326 (μετά) or G3844 (παρά)), i.e. by… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… στράτευμα (stráteuma, G4753) — an armament, i.e. (by implication) a body of troops (more or less extensive or systematic) ἐξουθενέω (exouthenéō, G1848) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐμπαίζω (empaízō, G1702) — to jeer at, i.e. deride περιβάλλω (peribállō, G4016) — to throw all around, i.e. invest (with a palisade or with clothing) λαμπρός (lamprós, G2986) — radiant; by analogy, limpid; figuratively, magnificent or sumptuous (in appearance) ἐσθής (esthḗs, G2066) — dress ἀναπέμπω (anapémpō, G375) — to send up or back Πιλᾶτος (Pilâtos, G4091) — close-pressed, i.e. firm; Pilatus, a Roman

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Strong's Concordancev. 12

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… Πιλᾶτος (Pilâtos, G4091) — close-pressed, i.e. firm; Pilatus, a Roman καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Ἡρώδης (Hērṓdēs, G2264) — heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… φίλος (phílos, G5384) — actively, fond, i.e. friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.) μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) ἀλλήλων (allḗlōn, G240) — one another γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often…

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Strong's Concordancev. 13

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Πιλᾶτος (Pilâtos, G4091) — close-pressed, i.e. firm; Pilatus, a Roman συγκαλέω (synkaléō, G4779) — to convoke ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús, G749) — the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἄρχων (árchōn, G758) — a first (in rank or power) λαός (laós, G2992) — a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace)

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Strong's Concordancev. 14

ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… προσφέρω (prosphérō, G4374) — to bear towards, i.e. lead to, tender (especially to God), treat τούτῳ (toútōi, G5129) — to (in, with or by) this (person or thing) ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being μοί (moí, G3427) — to me ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) ἀποστρέφω (apostréphō, G654) — to turn away or back (literally or figuratively) λαός (laós, G2992) — a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) ἀνακρίνω (anakrínō, G350) — properly, to scrutinize, i.e. (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine

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