Luke 23:13

¶ And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

And {G1161} Pilate {G4091}, when he had called together {G4779} the chief priests {G749} and {G2532} the rulers {G758} and {G2532} the people {G2992},

Pilate summoned the head cohanim, the leaders and the people,

Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,

And Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

Luke 23:13 marks a pivotal moment in the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, illustrating the Roman governor's attempt to navigate intense political and religious pressure.

Historical and Cultural Context

Following Jesus' appearance before Herod Antipas and His return to Pilate, the governor was convinced of Jesus' innocence. This verse describes Pilate's action of assembling the key players in this dramatic confrontation: the powerful Jewish religious leaders (the chief priests and rulers) and the general populace of Jerusalem. This public gathering was an attempt by Pilate to either publicly declare his verdict, seek their agreement, or perhaps find a compromise, highlighting the immense pressure he was under from both the Sanhedrin and the agitated crowd during the Passover season.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Pilate's Reluctance and Political Maneuvering: This verse sets the stage for Pilate's repeated attempts to release Jesus, demonstrating his personal conviction of Jesus' innocence despite the charges. He calls the assembly to make a public statement or seek a resolution.
  • The Unwavering Opposition: The presence of the "chief priests and the rulers" underscores the relentless determination of the Jewish leadership to see Jesus condemned, reflecting their deep-seated animosity and fear of His influence.
  • The Role of the People: The inclusion of "the people" signifies the public nature of the trial and the growing influence of the Jewish leaders in swaying public opinion against Jesus. This group would soon cry for His crucifixion.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "called together" is sygkalesas (συγκαλέσας), which implies a deliberate summoning or assembling. It suggests a formal act on Pilate's part to bring all parties before him to address the situation directly. The distinct listing of "chief priests," "rulers," and "the people" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the audience Pilate was addressing, representing various segments of Jewish society involved in the demand for Jesus' condemnation.

Related Scriptures

This verse directly precedes Pilate's declaration in Luke 23:14 that he found no fault in Jesus, a sentiment echoed by Herod (Luke 23:15). The relentless pressure from the chief priests and elders to condemn Jesus is also evident in parallel accounts, such as Mark 15:11, where they stirred up the crowd to demand Barabbas instead.

Practical Application

Luke 23:13 serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of justice when intertwined with political pressure and popular opinion. It challenges us to consider:

  • The dangers of mob mentality and how easily public sentiment can be manipulated by influential figures.
  • The moral courage required to stand for truth and justice, even when facing significant opposition or the desire to appease a crowd.
  • The profound innocence of Jesus, which even His accusers' judge acknowledged, highlighting the injustice of His passion.
This scene underscores the human tendency to avoid responsibility and seek popular approval, often at the expense of righteousness.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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 in him no fault [at all].

  • Matthew 27:21

    The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

  • Matthew 27:23

    And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

  • Mark 15:14

    Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.

  • John 19:4

    Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

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