Devine Scripture

Luke 23:1

What does Luke 23:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 23:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 23:1 means

The leaders who had examined Jesus at night now take formal action at daybreak. They present Him to the Roman governor, Pilate, because only Rome can authorize execution. This move shows their intent is not simply religious censure but death. It also reveals the collision of religious envy and political power. Jesus, who taught openly and healed many, is handled like a dangerous criminal. Yet He remains under control, fulfilling His mission without resistance. The scene shifts from the council’s chambers to the governor’s hall, setting the stage for a legal process that will expose His innocence and the injustice of those who seek His life. God’s sovereign plan proceeds through human courts.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the whole company of them rose up, and brought him before Pilate.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the whole company of them rose up, and brought him before Pilate.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they all went and took him before Pilate.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having risen, the whole multitude of them did lead him to Pilate,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the whole multitude of them, rising up, led him to Pilate.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the whole multitude of them, rising up, led him to Pilate.

Context

After the council’s verdict in the previous chapter, the entire group acts as one to secure Roman involvement. Their unity adds pressure to Pilate and frames the matter as a civic threat. What follows is a series of accusations aimed at convincing Pilate that Jesus is politically dangerous. The narrative now moves from Jewish proceedings to Roman jurisdiction, which becomes crucial for the manner of death—crucifixion. This verse launches the trial before Pilate that dominates the first half of the chapter and explains how Jesus, though innocent, is condemned under Roman law.

v.1This passage

v.2And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cæsar, and saying that he himself is Christ a king.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 22:66

    And as soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together, both chief priests and scribes; and they led him away into their council, saying,

  • John 18:28

    They lead Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Prætorium: and it was early; and they themselves entered not into the Prætorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the passover.

  • Mark 15:1

    And straightway in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him up to Pilate.

  • Matthew 27:11

    Now Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

  • Matthew 27:1

    Now when morning was come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

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