Luke 23:6
What does Luke 23:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 23:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 23:6 means
Hearing that Jesus is linked to Galilee, Pilate seizes an opportunity to shift the case. Asking whether Jesus is a Galilæan, he seeks a legal pretext to pass the problem to another ruler. This is not pursuit of justice but a political maneuver to avoid a difficult decision. Pilate, though aware of Jesus’ innocence, prefers convenience to courage. The question reveals a court more concerned with jurisdiction than truth. Yet even this deflection fits God’s design, bringing Jesus before both Jewish and Roman authorities, who together will testify—wittingly or not—to His innocence and to the world’s rejection of its rightful King.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But when Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man were a Galilæan.
KJV
King James Version · 1611When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilean.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But when Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man were a Galilæan.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But at these words Pilate said, Is the man a Galilaean?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Pilate having heard of Galilee, questioned if the man is a Galilean,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But Pilate hearing Galilee, asked if the man were of Galilee?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But Pilate, having heard Galilee [named], demanded if the man were a Galilaean;
Context
The accusation’s mention of Galilee becomes the pivot. Pilate looks for an escape from the pressure building in Jerusalem by appealing to regional authority. The narrative shifts to Herod Antipas, who is in the city for the feast. This move adds another layer of examination and irony: Jesus will be sent to a ruler who once wanted to see Him perform wonders. What follows is not a fair hearing but a spectacle of curiosity and contempt, which nevertheless fails to produce any charge worthy of death.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 5:37
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrolment, and drew away some of the people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.
- Luke 13:1
Now there were some present at that very season who told him of the Galilæans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
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