Luke 23:13
What does Luke 23:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 23:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 23:13 means
Pilate gathers the chief priests, rulers, and the people, signaling a formal, public decision. He wants everyone to hear his judgment and perhaps to accept it. This assembly is not merely a consultation; it is the stage for a verdict. Pilate, aware of the crowd’s mood, hopes to persuade them that Jesus should be released. Yet he underestimates the depth of their animosity. The moment shows how truth must sometimes be stated clearly in the face of opposition. Pilate will articulate innocence, but, tragically, he will not act decisively in its defense. Vacillation opens the door to injustice.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Pilate sent for the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Pilate having called together the chief priests, and the rulers, and the people,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Pilate, calling together the chief priests and the magistrates and the people,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Pilate, having called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
Context
After Jesus returns from Herod, Pilate moves to resolve the matter. Calling together the various parties recreates the courtroom dynamic with added public pressure. The next verses present Pilate’s findings—no fault found—and his proposal to punish and release Jesus. This sets up the dramatic tension between an official declaration of innocence and the crowd’s insistence on crucifixion. The scene is turning from investigation to sentencing, with Pilate trying to navigate between truth and popularity.
v.12And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
v.13This passage
v.14and said unto them, Ye brought unto me this man, as one that perverteth the people: and behold, I, having examined him before you, found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 18:38
Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find no crime in him.
- John 19:4
And Pilate went out again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him out to you, that ye may know that I find no crime in him.
- Matthew 27:21
But the governor answered and said unto them, Which of the two will ye that I release unto you? And they said, Barabbas.
- Mark 15:14
And Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out exceedingly, Crucify him.
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