Luke 23:23

KJV

And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} they were instant {G1945} with loud {G3173} voices {G5456}, requiring {G154} that he {G846} might be crucified {G4717}. And {G2532} the voices {G5456} of them {G846} and {G2532} of the chief priests {G749} prevailed {G2729}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But they went on yelling insistently, demanding that he be executed on the stake; and their shouting prevailed.

Berean Standard Bible

But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices for Jesus to be crucified. And their clamor prevailed.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 23:23 vividly portrays the escalating intensity of Jesus' trial, capturing the moment when the relentless demands of the Jewish religious leaders and the incited crowd culminated in a decisive victory over Pontius Pilate's attempts to release Jesus. The verse underscores the overwhelming pressure exerted by their "loud voices," which insisted on crucifixion and ultimately prevailed, sealing Jesus' fate despite Pilate's repeated declarations of His innocence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in Luke's passion narrative, immediately following Pilate's third attempt to release Jesus, having found "no fault in this man" [Luke 23:4](/luke/23-4 "Luke 23:4 - Pilate's First Declaration of Innocence"), and again after examining Him [Luke 23:14](/luke/23-14 "Luke 23:14 - Pilate's Second Declaration of Innocence"). Pilate had even offered to chastise Jesus and release Him according to the Passover custom [Luke 23:16](/luke/23-16 "Luke 23:16 - Pilate's Offer to Chastise and Release Jesus"), but the crowd, stirred by the chief priests and scribes, vehemently demanded Barabbas instead [Luke 23:18-19](/luke/23-18-19 "Luke 23:18-19 - The Crowd Demands Barabbas"). Luke 23:23 marks the point of no return, where the collective will of the people and their leaders completely overrides Pilate's judicial authority and personal conviction, leading directly to Jesus' sentencing to death by crucifixion. The narrative here highlights the stark contrast between Pilate's wavering justice and the unwavering, albeit unjust, demand for Jesus' death.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The trial of Jesus took place under Roman occupation in Judea. Pontius Pilate, as the Roman governor, held ultimate judicial authority, including the power of capital punishment. It was a Roman custom, particularly during festivals like Passover, to release a prisoner as an act of clemency, a tradition Pilate attempted to leverage. The Jewish religious leaders, primarily the chief priests and scribes, wielded significant influence over the populace, especially during religious festivals when large crowds gathered in Jerusalem. Their ability to incite and manipulate the crowd was crucial in this scenario, turning public sentiment against Jesus. The demand for crucifixion was particularly brutal, as it was a Roman method of execution reserved for the worst criminals and rebels, designed to inflict maximum suffering and public humiliation. This context underscores the political and religious pressures Pilate faced, caught between maintaining Roman order and appeasing the volatile Jewish populace during a sensitive religious holiday.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 23:23 powerfully illustrates several profound themes. Firstly, it showcases the destructive force of **mob mentality and crowd pressure**, where a collective, incited will can override reason, justice, and individual conscience. The "loud voices" symbolize the irrationality and overwhelming power of a group swayed by influential figures. Secondly, it highlights the stark reality of **injustice and the perversion of justice**, as an innocent man is condemned due to political expediency and popular demand, despite the presiding judge's clear recognition of His blamelessness [Luke 23:22](/luke/23-22 "Luke 23:22 - Pilate's Final Attempt to Release Jesus"). Thirdly, the active role of the "chief priests" underscores the theme of **religious corruption and incitement**, revealing how spiritual leadership can be tragically misused to pursue personal agendas and manipulate the masses. Finally, underlying these human actions, the verse subtly points to the theme of **divine sovereignty amidst human sin**, where even the most egregious acts of injustice are ultimately woven into God's larger, redemptive plan, as later articulated in [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Determined Purpose and Foreknowledge").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **instant (Greek, _epíkeimai'_):** From G1945, meaning "to rest upon," "to press upon," or "to be urgent and insistent." In this context, it conveys the relentless, unyielding, and forceful pressure exerted by the crowd. They were not merely asking but were vehemently and persistently demanding Jesus' crucifixion, indicating a forceful imposition of their will.
* **requiring (Greek, _aitéō'_):** From G154, meaning "to ask (in genitive case)," "to beg," "to call for," or "to demand." While it can mean a simple request, when combined with "instant" and "loud voices," it signifies a strong, insistent demand that borders on coercion, rather than a polite plea.
* **prevailed (Greek, _katischýō'_):** From G2729, meaning "to be strong against," "to overcome," or "to overpower." This word emphasizes the decisive victory of the crowd's will over Pilate's authority and his attempts to maintain justice. Their clamor was so overwhelming that it effectively overpowered Pilate's resistance, forcing his hand.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they were instant with loud voices":** This clause describes the fervent and persistent nature of the crowd's demand. The term "instant" (epíkeimai) indicates a pressing, unyielding insistence, while "loud voices" (mégas phōnḗ) conveys the sheer volume, intensity, and collective force of their clamor, creating an atmosphere of overwhelming pressure and intimidation.
* **"requiring that he might be crucified":** This specifies the precise and brutal nature of their demand. They were not merely asking for Jesus' death, but specifically for crucifixion, the most agonizing and humiliating form of execution. This reveals the depth of their animosity and their desire for His public degradation.
* **"And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed":** This final clause states the tragic outcome. The combined, insistent voices of the common people ("them") and their influential religious leaders ("the chief priests") ultimately triumphed over Pilate's attempts to release Jesus. "Prevailed" (katischýō) signifies that their will was stronger, overcoming any resistance Pilate might have offered, leading directly to the unjust condemnation.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 23:23 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey the gravity of the moment. The phrase "loud voices" functions as **synecdoche**, where a part (voices) represents the whole (the crowd and chief priests), emphasizing the auditory assault and the overwhelming nature of their collective demand. This also borders on **hyperbole**, as the volume and intensity of their clamor are exaggerated to convey the immense pressure on Pilate. There is a profound **irony** in the scene: the very people who should have recognized their Messiah vehemently demand His death, unknowingly fulfilling divine prophecy. Furthermore, the verse stands in stark **contrast** to Jesus' own silent suffering, fulfilling prophecies like [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant"), highlighting the unrighteousness of the crowd against the righteousness of Christ. The "prevailing" of the voices also serves as a form of **foreshadowing**, indicating the inevitable outcome of the trial and Jesus' journey to the cross.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 23:23 is a profound theological statement on human sin, divine sovereignty, and the nature of justice. It reveals humanity's capacity for profound injustice and mob rule, where collective passion can override truth and reason. The chief priests' manipulation of the crowd underscores the danger of religious authority becoming corrupt and self-serving. Yet, in this darkest hour of human depravity, the verse implicitly points to the overarching sovereignty of God. While the actions of the crowd and leaders were undeniably sinful, they unwittingly participated in God's predetermined plan for the redemption of humanity. This moment, therefore, is not merely a historical tragedy but a pivotal event in God's redemptive narrative, demonstrating how even human evil can be woven into His perfect will for salvation.

* [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant")
* [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Determined Purpose and Foreknowledge")
* [Matthew 27:24-25](/matthew/27-24-25 "Matthew 27:24-25 - Pilate Washes His Hands")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 23:23 serves as a powerful and sobering mirror for contemporary society and individual believers. It cautions us against the seductive and dangerous power of popular opinion, especially when it is fueled by emotion, misinformation, or a desire for conformity rather than truth and justice. The "loud voices" of the crowd remind us that what is popular is not always what is right, and that societal pressure can easily lead to moral compromise and the perversion of justice. For believers, this verse is a call to courageous discernment: to stand firm in biblical truth, even when it is unpopular or goes against the prevailing cultural narrative. It challenges us to examine our own susceptibility to groupthink and to cultivate a conscience rooted in God's Word, rather than swayed by the clamor of the world. Ultimately, it reinforces the truth that even in moments of profound human failure and injustice, God's sovereign plan is at work, offering hope and reminding us that His purposes will always prevail, even through the darkest valleys.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or in society today do I see the danger of "loud voices" and mob mentality overriding truth and justice?**
* **How can I cultivate the courage to stand for what is right, even when it is unpopular or goes against prevailing opinions?**
* **What are the "chief priests" or influential figures in our modern world who might be manipulating public opinion for their own agendas?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty in this tragic event comfort or challenge my perspective on suffering and injustice in the world?**

### FAQ
**Why did Pilate give in to the crowd's demands despite declaring Jesus innocent?**

Answer: Pilate was a Roman governor, and his primary concern was maintaining peace and order in a volatile province, especially during a major Jewish festival like Passover. He recognized Jesus' innocence and attempted to release Him multiple times [Luke 23:4](/luke/23-4 "Luke 23:4 - Pilate's First Declaration of Innocence"), [Luke 23:14](/luke/23-14 "Luke 23:14 - Pilate's Second Declaration of Innocence"), [Luke 23:22](/luke/23-22 "Luke 23:22 - Pilate's Final Attempt to Release Jesus"). However, the relentless and increasingly violent demands of the crowd, incited by the chief priests, presented a significant threat of riot or insurrection. Pilate feared that if he did not appease them, it could lead to widespread unrest, which would jeopardize his position with Emperor Tiberius. Ultimately, political expediency and the desire to avoid a riot "prevailed" over his sense of justice, leading him to condemn an innocent man.

**What does "instant" mean in the context of Luke 23:23?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "instant" (from the Greek _epíkeimai_) does not mean "immediate" or "at once" in the modern sense. Instead, it conveys the idea of being "urgent," "insistent," or "pressing upon." The crowd was not merely making a request; they were applying intense, unyielding pressure, vehemently demanding Jesus' crucifixion. This word highlights the forceful and persistent nature of their clamor, indicating that they were not letting up until their demand was met.

**Who were "the chief priests" and what was their role in this event?**

Answer: "The chief priests" (Greek _archiereús_) refers to the leading members of the Jewish priestly aristocracy, including the high priest (Caiaphas at the time), former high priests, and heads of the priestly families. They were the most powerful religious and political figures among the Jews, holding significant influence over the Temple and the Sanhedrin (the Jewish supreme court). In this event, they played a crucial role in orchestrating Jesus' arrest, conducting His trial before the Sanhedrin, and then actively inciting the crowd against Him before Pilate. Their motive was largely to eliminate Jesus, whom they perceived as a threat to their authority, their interpretation of the Law, and their political stability with Rome [John 11:48](/john/11-48 "John 11:48 - The Sanhedrin's Fear of Jesus"). They were instrumental in turning public opinion and pressuring Pilate to condemn Jesus.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 23:23, though depicting a moment of profound human injustice and sin, is ultimately a testament to the sovereign plan of God for the redemption of humanity through Jesus Christ. The "loud voices" demanding crucifixion, and their ultimate "prevailing" over Pilate, were not a defeat for God's purposes but the very means by which His eternal plan was brought to fruition. Jesus, the sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), willingly submitted to this unjust condemnation, not as a victim of human malice, but as the obedient Son fulfilling the will of His Father. His crucifixion, demanded by the crowd, was the ultimate act of self-sacrifice, where He bore the sins of the world upon Himself [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins"). This moment, seemingly a triumph of evil, was in fact the strategic fulfillment of prophecy and the necessary prelude to His resurrection, which secured victory over sin and death for all who believe. Thus, the injustice of Luke 23:23 underscores the depth of God's love, demonstrating that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love"), looking beyond the shame of the cross to the joy set before Him [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of Faith").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Zechariah 11:8

Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.

Psalms 57:4

My soul [is] among lions: [and] I lie [even 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.

Psalms 22:13

They gaped upon me [with] their mouths, [as] a ravening and a roaring lion.

Luke 23:5

And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.