Luke 23:5
What does Luke 23:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 23:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 23:5 means
Refusing to accept Pilate’s verdict, the accusers intensify their charges. They portray Jesus as a continual agitator, stirring up the people by His teaching throughout all Judæa, from Galilee to Jerusalem. Teaching, which blesses the crowds, is recast as sedition. By emphasizing the breadth of Jesus’ influence, they seek to alarm Pilate about public order and to justify extreme measures. Their strategy shows how the truth can be twisted when hearts are hardened. Yet the gospel’s spread, even on hostile lips, witnesses to its reach. Ironically, they confess the wide impact of the One they reject.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But they were the more urgent, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judæa, and beginning from Galilee even unto this place.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But they were the more urgent, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judæa, and beginning from Galilee even unto this place.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But they became more violent than before, saying, He has made trouble among the people, teaching through all Judaea from Galilee to this place.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and they were the more urgent, saying--`He doth stir up the people, teaching throughout the whole of Judea--having begun from Galilee--unto this place.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But they were more earnest, saying: He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But they insisted, saying, He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee even on to here.
Context
Pilate’s first acquittal only provokes the leaders to push harder. They frame Jesus’ ministry as a security threat and drop the word “Galilee,” a politically useful detail. That mention prompts Pilate to consider jurisdictional transfer to Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee, who happens to be in Jerusalem. The narrative now prepares a second examination, this time before Herod. Pilate hopes to offload responsibility and perhaps defuse the situation. The next verses show Herod’s curiosity but moral indifference, leading to mockery rather than a verdict of guilt.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 4:23
And Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of disease and all manner of sickness among the people.
- 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.
- Psalms 22:16
For dogs have compassed me: A company of evil-doers have inclosed me; They pierced my hands and my feet.
- Matthew 4:12
Now when he heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee;
- Psalms 57:4
My soul is among lions; I lie among them that are set on fire, Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.
- Psalms 22:12
Many bulls have compassed me; Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
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