Devine Scripture

Luke 23:22

What does Luke 23:22 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 23:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 23:22 means

Pilate tries a third time. He presses the question justice demands: “Why, what evil hath this man done?” He again affirms no cause of death, proposing only chastisement and release. The triple declaration of innocence is complete; the governor has exhausted reasoned appeal. Yet he still offers compromise rather than freedom. This verse crystallizes Pilate’s failure: he sees, he speaks, but he will not act. The Innocent stands condemned not by evidence but by expediency. Even so, God uses this injustice to bring about the cross, where the sinless One will die for sinners, the just for the unjust.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath this man done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him and release him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath this man done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him and release him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them a third time, Why, what evil has he done? I see no reason for putting him to death: I will give him punishment and let him go.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he a third time said unto them, `Why, what evil did he? no cause of death did I find in him; having chastised him, then, I will release <FI>him<Fi> .'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said to them the third time: Why, what evil hath this man done? I find no cause of death in him. I will chastise him therefore and let him go.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said the third time to them, What evil then has this [man] done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will chastise him therefore and release him.

Context

With the crowd clamoring for crucifixion, Pilate makes his final attempt to avert it. His words close the case logically, but logic has little power over a mob. The next verse shows the people more urgent than ever, and their voices prevail. By recording the third appeal and refusal, Luke underscores innocence and the culpability of those who demanded Jesus’ death. The narrative now moves to the formal sentence and the fateful exchange releasing Barabbas.

v.21but they shouted, saying, Crucify, crucify him.

v.22This passage

v.23But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. And their voices prevailed.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 23:20

    And Pilate spake unto them again, desiring to release Jesus;

  • Luke 23:16

    I will therefore chastise him, and release him.

  • Luke 23:14

    and 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:

  • 1 Peter 3:18

    Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

  • 1 Peter 1:19

    but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, even the blood of Christ:

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