Luke 23 1

Luke 23:1 kjv

And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.

Luke 23:1 nkjv

Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate.

Luke 23:1 niv

Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate.

Luke 23:1 esv

Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate.

Luke 23:1 nlt

Then the entire council took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor.

Luke 23 verses

Luke 23 1 Meaning

Luke 23:1 marks the critical transition of Jesus' trial from the Jewish religious court (the Sanhedrin) to the Roman secular authority, specifically Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. After concluding their morning session, the Jewish leadership, represented by "the whole multitude of them" (referring to the Sanhedrin council), formally and decisively led Jesus, whom they had condemned as a blasphemer, into the jurisdiction of the Roman power for legal execution, which they themselves lacked the authority to carry out.

Luke 23 1 Context

Luke 23:1 immediately follows the Sanhedrin's morning trial of Jesus (Luke 22:66-71), where they condemned Him for blasphemy based on His affirmation of being the Son of God. However, because Judea was under Roman occupation, the Jewish Sanhedrin had no authority to carry out a capital execution (as indicated in John 18:31). Therefore, to ensure Jesus' death, they needed Roman authorization.

Historically, this transition underscores Roman supremacy. Pontius Pilate, the Roman Procurator, held the ultimate legal and military authority in Judea, particularly concerning capital cases. During the Passover festival, he typically resided in Jerusalem for crowd control and to preside over such cases. The Jewish leaders, knowing Pilate's concerns would be purely political, reframed their accusations from religious blasphemy (irrelevant to Roman law) to sedition against Caesar (treason and claiming kingship), setting the stage for the formal Roman trial that Luke recounts in detail. This strategic shift in charges, moving from religious to political, was crucial to their goal of securing a death sentence.

Luke 23 1 Word analysis

• Then (δὲ, de): This conjunction indicates a transition or sequential development. It links the Sanhedrin's previous session and condemnation of Jesus (Luke 22:66-71) to their immediate, resultant action of bringing Him to the Roman governor. It denotes continuation in a new phase of the narrative.

• the whole (πᾶν, pan): Means "all," "every," or "whole." When paired with "multitude," it emphasizes unanimity and totality. It suggests that this action was the collective will of the Jewish council.

• multitude (πλῆθος, plēthos): In this context, given the preceding verses about the "assembly of the elders" (Luke 22:66), it refers specifically to the entire body of the Jewish Sanhedrin and their accompanying officials who were involved in the night and morning trials of Jesus. It highlights the full weight of their authority in condemning and delivering Him.

• of them (αὐτῶν, autōn): Refers directly to the "whole multitude" described, identifying them as the members of the Sanhedrin and possibly their accompanying police who had apprehended Jesus.

• arose (ἀναστὰν, anastan): A participle, literally "having stood up." This term signifies a decisive, immediate, and purposeful physical action. After their morning deliberations, they did not linger but promptly moved to execute their resolution. It suggests an active, deliberate initiative.

• led (ἤγαγον, ēgagon): From the verb agō, meaning "to lead," "to bring," "to carry away." This word indicates the physical act of escorting or taking Jesus as a prisoner under guard. It underscores Jesus' position as a captive being presented for formal judgment by a superior authority.

• Him (αὐτὸν, auton): Refers to Jesus, who is the subject of this transfer of jurisdiction. He is the passive recipient of their action.

• to Pilate (ἐπὶ Πιλᾶτον, epi Pilaton): "Ἐπὶ" (epi) here denotes "to" or "before" in the sense of bringing someone into the presence or jurisdiction of another. "Pilate" (Pontius Pilate) is the Roman governor. This specifies the exact judicial authority to whom Jesus was being presented, marking the critical transition to the Roman legal system, the only one empowered for capital punishment.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "the whole multitude of them arose": This phrase highlights the concerted, unified, and intentional action of the Sanhedrin. Their rising signals the formal conclusion of their own judicial process and their readiness to move to the next, vital stage. It wasn't a fragmented decision but a full body moving with a singular purpose.
  • "and led Him to Pilate": This core statement reveals the central event of the verse: Jesus' official handover from Jewish religious authority to Roman political power. This act was necessitated by the Sanhedrin's limited jurisdiction and their intent to secure Jesus' death, forcing Rome's involvement in a case they presented as a threat to Caesar's rule.

Luke 23 1 Bonus section

• The timing, "when day came" (Luke 22:66) leading directly into Luke 23:1, emphasizes the urgency and determination of the Sanhedrin to bring Jesus to Pilate without delay. They wanted the matter resolved swiftly, possibly before large crowds gathered for the Passover, or before any intervention.
• This transfer to Pilate sets in motion the narrative theme, strong in Luke's Gospel, of Jesus' innocence being affirmed by the Roman authorities (Pilate, Herod). This begins with Pilate's initial reaction and subsequent declarations.
• The meticulous adherence to this transfer of jurisdiction underscores the legality (from Rome's perspective) of Jesus' subsequent trial, however corrupt the accusations might be. This ensures His death, according to human law, fulfills biblical prophecies that required Him to die by being lifted up, typically through Roman crucifixion.

Luke 23 1 Commentary

Luke 23:1 serves as a terse, yet immensely significant, pivot in the Passion narrative. After having condemned Jesus on religious grounds, the Jewish Sanhedrin — described here as "the whole multitude" reflecting their united decision — had to face the reality of their limited authority under Roman occupation: they could not legally execute Jesus. Therefore, their prompt action of "arose and led Him to Pilate" was a strategic necessity to secure the death penalty.

This moment fulfilled Jesus' own prophecies that He would be delivered to the Gentiles (Luke 18:32-33). It also highlights God's sovereignty over the seemingly chaotic human events, as the unjust proceedings ultimately furthered His divine plan for salvation. The scene vividly portrays Jesus, the King of kings, being led as a prisoner by those who rejected Him, brought before a Gentile ruler. It marks the shift from a religious charge of blasphemy to political accusations of sedition (Luke 23:2), calculated by the Jewish leaders to incite Pilate's involvement. Thus, this verse initiates the climactic interface between God's innocent Lamb and the earthly powers destined to participate in His crucifixion.