Luke 23:2

And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this [fellow] perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

And {G1161} they began {G756} to accuse {G2723} him {G846}, saying {G3004}, We found {G2147} this {G5126} fellow perverting {G1294} the nation {G1484}, and {G2532} forbidding {G2967} to give {G1325} tribute {G5411} to Caesar {G2541}, saying {G3004} that he himself {G1438} is {G1511} Christ {G5547} a King {G935}.

where they started accusing him. “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the Emperor and claiming that he himself is the Messiah — a king!”

And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”

And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cæsar, and saying that he himself is Christ a king.

Commentary

Luke 23:2 KJV presents the fabricated political charges brought against Jesus by the Jewish religious leaders before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Having already condemned Jesus on religious grounds, they needed a charge that would compel the Roman authorities to execute Him, as they lacked the legal power to impose capital punishment themselves.

Context and Setting

This verse immediately follows the Jewish Sanhedrin's trial of Jesus, where He was found guilty of blasphemy for acknowledging He was the Son of God (Luke 22:70-71). The scene shifts to Pilate's judgment hall, where the accusers skillfully twist religious claims into political threats. They understand that Pilate would be uninterested in theological disputes but highly concerned with any perceived challenge to Roman authority or tax collection.

Key Accusations and Themes

  • "Perverting the nation" (διαστρέφοντα - diastrephonta): This accusation implies that Jesus was a revolutionary or agitator, misleading the Jewish people and inciting rebellion against Roman rule. This was a grave charge in the eyes of Rome, which sought to maintain order and control over its provinces.
  • "Forbidding to give tribute to Caesar": This was a direct and serious charge of treason. Roman taxation was a constant source of resentment among the Jewish people, and anyone who opposed it would be seen as a direct threat to imperial revenue and stability. This charge was a deliberate falsehood, as Jesus had explicitly taught His followers to "render unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's" (Luke 20:25). Furthermore, Jesus Himself paid the temple tax, indicating His submission to legitimate authorities (Matthew 17:27).
  • "Saying that he himself is Christ a King": This is the underlying truth twisted into a political weapon. "Christ" (Χριστός - Christos) means "Anointed One" or "Messiah," a title with deep spiritual and eschatological significance for the Jews, often associated with a king from David's line. The accusers deliberately presented Jesus' spiritual claim to kingship as a claim to earthly political power, thereby suggesting He was a rival to Caesar. Jesus clarified to Pilate that His kingdom was "not of this world" (John 18:36), but this distinction was lost on His accusers, who sought His death.

Linguistic Insights

The term diastrephonta (perverting) highlights the malicious intent behind the accusation, portraying Jesus as actively corrupting the nation. The word phoros (tribute) specifically refers to the Roman poll tax, a direct symbol of Roman subjugation, making the charge about forbidding it particularly inflammatory. The combination of "Christ" (Messiah) and "King" in the accusation underscores the clash between the Jewish expectation of a political liberator and Jesus' true spiritual kingship.

Reflection and Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of how truth can be twisted and used for malicious ends. Jesus faced false accusations and political manipulation, yet He remained steadfast in His mission. For believers today, it highlights the importance of discerning truth from falsehood, understanding the spiritual nature of Christ's kingdom, and standing firm even when facing unjust opposition. It also shows the lengths to which people will go to eliminate what they perceive as a threat to their established power or comfort, even if it means perverting justice.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 17:6 (8 votes)

    And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

  • Acts 17:7 (8 votes)

    Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, [one] Jesus.

  • Luke 23:14 (5 votes)

    Said 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:

  • John 19:12 (5 votes)

    And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

  • Mark 14:61 (4 votes)

    But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

  • Mark 14:62 (4 votes)

    And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

  • Psalms 62:4 (4 votes)

    They only consult to cast [him] down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.