Luke 23 13

Luke 23:13 kjv

And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

Luke 23:13 nkjv

Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,

Luke 23:13 niv

Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people,

Luke 23:13 esv

Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

Luke 23:13 nlt

Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people,

Luke 23 verses

Luke 23 13 Meaning

Luke 23:13 describes Pontius Pilate's deliberate action of convening the three primary parties involved in Jesus' trial: the Jewish chief priests, the other rulers (likely members of the Sanhedrin or high-ranking Jewish officials), and the general populace. This summons signals Pilate's intention to publicly address Jesus' case and his attempt to resolve the escalating conflict, particularly after Herod Antipas found no fault in Jesus, shifting the burden back to Pilate.

Luke 23 13 Context

Luke 23:13 is situated in the pivotal sequence of Jesus' Passion narrative, specifically during His Roman trial before Pontius Pilate. Previously, the Jewish religious authorities—unable to execute Jesus themselves under Roman law—brought Him before Pilate on charges of sedition, forbidding tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be a king (Lk 23:1-2). Pilate's initial interrogation found no guilt in Jesus (Lk 23:4). Learning Jesus was a Galilean, Pilate sent Him to Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee, who was also in Jerusalem for Passover. Herod, after questioning Jesus and mocking Him, also found no fault worthy of death and sent Him back to Pilate (Lk 23:6-12). Thus, verse 13 marks the moment Pilate re-engages with the accusers and the populace, attempting a final resolution to a case where two successive rulers had pronounced Jesus innocent. This gathering serves as the immediate prelude to Pilate's offer of Barabbas and Jesus' eventual condemnation, orchestrated by the religious leaders and fueled by the swayed crowd. Luke emphasizes the clear verdict of innocence from both Pilate and Herod, underscoring the unjust nature of Jesus' conviction and highlighting the culpability of those who pressed for His death despite the evidence.

Luke 23 13 Word analysis

• Then (δὲ - de): This conjunction serves as a transition word, indicating a shift or progression in the narrative. It connects Pilate's decision to act after receiving Jesus back from Herod with the subsequent events. It implies a moment of significant re-engagement after the previous impasse.

• Pilate (Πιλᾶτος - Pilatos): Pontius Pilate was the Roman Prefect (governor) of Judea from AD 26 to 36. His role here is as the ultimate authority for capital punishment in the province. He represents Roman law and the power of the secular state. Historically, he was known for being inflexible and prone to violence, yet in this narrative, he is repeatedly portrayed by Luke (and other Gospel writers) as hesitant to condemn Jesus, finding no fault in Him, and seeking a way to release Him. This characterization highlights the extreme pressure he was under and the depth of the Jewish leaders' determination.

• when he had called together (συγκαλεσάμενος - synkalesamenos): This is an aorist participle, conveying an action completed before the main verb. The prefix syn- (συν-) means "together," emphasizing a deliberate and formal gathering. Pilate didn't just casually address them; he assembled them for a public pronouncement or negotiation. This action suggests a procedural effort to handle the matter officially and publicly, perhaps hoping to use the crowd as leverage or to gain their approval for Jesus' release.

• the chief priests (τοὺς ἀρχιερεῖς - tous archiereis): These were the highest-ranking Jewish religious leaders, primarily from the Sadducee party, holding significant power, especially over temple worship and finance. They initiated the charges against Jesus, driven by theological differences, fear of Roman intervention due to Jesus' popularity, and a perceived threat to their authority (Lk 20:19, 22:2). Their relentless pursuit of Jesus' death signifies spiritual blindness and the rejection of their Messiah.

• and the rulers (καὶ τοὺς ἄρχοντας - kai tous archontas): This likely refers to other influential Jewish officials, probably members of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish high court), scribes, or other elders who held civic authority. They represent the broader Jewish political and judicial establishment aligned with the chief priests in seeking Jesus' condemnation (Acts 4:26, Psa 2:2).

• and the people (καὶ τὸν λαόν - kai ton laon): This refers to the general Jewish populace assembled in Jerusalem for the Passover feast. In Luke's Gospel, "the people" can sometimes be sympathetic to Jesus (Lk 19:48, 20:26). However, in the Passion narrative, they become highly volatile, susceptible to manipulation by the chief priests (Mk 15:11, Matt 27:20), and ultimately swayed to demand Jesus' crucifixion (Lk 23:21). Pilate summons them, perhaps hoping their sentiment might favor Jesus, but they ultimately contribute to His demise.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Then Pilate... called together": This phrase emphasizes Pilate's executive authority and the strategic nature of his convening the relevant parties. He is not passively receiving; he is actively initiating this crucial assembly. This points to a conscious effort on his part to find a way out of the political and religious quandary.
  • "the chief priests and the rulers and the people": This tripartite grouping underscores the broad coalition arrayed against Jesus. It's not just a religious grievance; it involves political leadership and popular assent. Luke particularly highlights this broad involvement, demonstrating the depth of the rejection of God's Anointed. It also sets the stage for a dramatic public spectacle where worldly power (Pilate), religious authority (priests/rulers), and public opinion clash, all contributing to the tragic, yet divinely purposed, outcome.

Luke 23 13 Bonus section

The act of calling together "the chief priests and the rulers and the people" by Pilate indicates his keen political awareness. He understood that a ruling solely on his own authority might not quell the fervor or could even backfire. By gathering all key stakeholders, he was seeking to legitimize his decision, whether that be releasing Jesus or a subsequent compromise. This public assembly transforms Jesus' trial into a significant civic event, highlighting the broad involvement of both Jewish authorities and the populace in the rejection of their Messiah, and Pilate's ultimate capitulation to crowd pressure rather than upholding justice based on repeated declarations of Jesus' innocence. This foreshadows Pilate's later hand-washing gesture, emphasizing his attempt to shift accountability.

Luke 23 13 Commentary

Luke 23:13 acts as a pivotal scene setter, revealing Pilate's attempt at managing the crisis concerning Jesus after receiving Him back from Herod's court with a "not guilty" verdict. By formally summoning the chief priests, rulers, and the people, Pilate is trying to bring a public resolution to an inconvenient truth: Jesus, twice judged, is found innocent, yet powerful forces demand His execution. This assembly is his final effort to explain his judgment and offer a compromise to placate the Jewish leadership and avoid public unrest, leading to his offer of a disciplining, then the choice between Barabbas and Jesus. The verse therefore establishes the critical audience Pilate seeks to convince, highlighting the intense pressure and the calculated maneuvering of the Jewish leaders who had succeeded in manipulating not only the legal system but also popular sentiment.