Luke 23:14
What does Luke 23:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 23:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 23:14 means
Addressing the assembled leaders and people, Pilate states plainly that he has examined Jesus in their presence and found no basis for the charges. He names the accusation—perverting the people—and rejects it. This is a clear legal acquittal from the Roman governor. The transparency of the process renders the coming condemnation all the more unjust. Pilate’s words acknowledge that Jesus’ influence is not sedition. Yet he lacks the resolve to free Him outright. Truth spoken without action cannot protect the innocent. Still, even in this, God ensures a public record of His Son’s righteousness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and 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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and 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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You say that this man has been teaching the people evil things: now I, after going into the question before you, see nothing wrong in this man in connection with the things which you have said against him:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862said unto them, `Ye brought to me this man as perverting the people, and lo, I before you having examined, found in this man no fault in those things ye bring forward against him;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Said to them: You have presented unto me this man as one that perverteth the people. And behold I, having examined him before you, find no cause in this man, in those things wherein you accuse him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890said to them, Ye have brought to me this man as turning away the people [to rebellion], and behold, I, having examined him before you, have found nothing criminal in this man as to the things of which ye accuse him;
Context
Pilate recaps the charge and his investigation, emphasizing that nothing substantiates the leaders’ claims. He speaks before the very accusers, leaving them little room to argue about process. The following verse will add Herod’s agreement to the same conclusion. Together, these statements reinforce the motif of innocence—a crucial theme as the narrative moves toward crucifixion. Immediately after, Pilate suggests chastisement and release, a compromise intended to pacify the crowd while upholding justice. It will not succeed.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 27:4
saying, I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? see thou to it.
- Daniel 6:4
Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault, forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
- Matthew 27:24
So when Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but rather that a tumult was arising, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man; see ye to it.
- Acts 13:28
And though they found no cause of death in him, yet asked they of Pilate that he should be slain.
- Luke 23:4
And Pilate said unto the chief priests and the multitudes, I find no fault in this man.
- Matthew 27:54
Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
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