Luke 23:24

KJV

And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} Pilate {G4091} gave sentence {G1948} that it should be as {G1096} they {G846} required {G155}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Pilate decided to grant their demand;

Berean Standard Bible

So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met.

American Standard Version

And Pilate gave sentence that what they asked for should be done.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 23:24 marks a pivotal and tragic moment in the trial of Jesus, as the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, finally succumbs to the intense pressure from the Jewish chief priests and the agitated crowd, condemning Jesus to crucifixion despite repeatedly finding no fault in Him. This verse records Pilate's official pronouncement, sealing the fate of the innocent Son of God under immense political and social pressure, thereby setting the stage for the ultimate act of atonement.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 23:24 serves as the climactic legal decision in Jesus' trial, immediately following a series of Pilate's attempts to release Him. Prior to this verse, Pilate had publicly declared Jesus innocent three times ([Luke 23:4](/luke/23-4 "Luke 23:4 - Pilate's Initial Declaration"), [Luke 23:14](/luke/23-14 "Luke 23:14 - Pilate Finds No Fault"), [Luke 23:22](/luke/23-22 "Luke 23:22 - Pilate's Third Declaration of Innocence")), even offering to release Him as part of the Passover custom, presenting the crowd with a choice between Jesus and Barabbas ([Luke 23:18-19](/luke/23-18-19 "Luke 23:18-19 - The Choice Between Jesus and Barabbas")). However, the crowd, instigated by the chief priests, vehemently demanded Jesus' crucifixion. This verse directly leads into Pilate's release of Barabbas and the subsequent command to crucify Jesus, as detailed in [Luke 23:25-26](/luke/23-25-26 "Luke 23:25-26 - Barabbas Released, Jesus Led Away to Crucifixion"), marking the irreversible transition from legal proceedings to the execution phase of Jesus' passion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect of Judea from 26-36 AD, governed a province known for its religious zeal and occasional rebellions. During the Passover festival, Jerusalem's population swelled, increasing the potential for unrest, which Roman authorities rigorously sought to prevent. Pilate's primary duty was to maintain Roman order and peace, and his tenure was marked by a reputation for insensitivity and brutality, yet also a cautious approach to avoid full-scale riots that could lead to his recall by Caesar. The Jewish leaders' threat to accuse Pilate of disloyalty to Caesar if he released Jesus ([John 19:12](/john/19-12 "John 19:12 - Pilate's Fear of Caesar")) was a powerful political leverage. Pilate's decision in Luke 23:24 reflects a calculated political maneuver to appease the Jewish hierarchy and the agitated crowd, thereby preserving his own authority and avoiding a potentially career-ending report of civil disturbance to Rome, rather than a conviction of Jesus' guilt.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes central to Luke's narrative of the Passion. It highlights the profound theme of **injustice and political compromise**, as Pilate, representing Roman authority, knowingly sacrifices an innocent man for the sake of political stability and personal reputation, a stark contrast to the divine justice Jesus embodies. It underscores the dangerous influence of **mob mentality and human depravity**, demonstrating how a manipulated crowd can override reason and demand the condemnation of an innocent man, illustrating the fallen nature of humanity that Jesus came to redeem. Furthermore, while a clear act of human sin, it subtly points to the overarching theme of **divine sovereignty amidst human actions**, revealing how even this unjust condemnation was paradoxically part of God's predetermined plan for salvation, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies concerning the suffering Messiah. This notion is further articulated in [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Foreordained Plan for Jesus' Crucifixion"), which states that Jesus was delivered up "by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **gave sentence (Greek, _epikrínō'_):** From `epi` (upon) and `krinō` (to judge), this verb signifies to "adjudge" or "decide upon." It denotes an official, authoritative pronouncement of a verdict or judgment. In this context, it emphasizes the finality and legal weight of Pilate's decision, even though it was morally corrupt and contrary to his own repeated declarations of Jesus' innocence. It highlights that this was not merely an agreement, but a formal, binding legal decree by the highest Roman authority present.
* **should be as (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This verb means "to become," "to come into being," or "to happen." Here, it indicates the outcome or the realization of the crowd's demand. It conveys that Pilate's sentence brought into existence the very thing they were clamoring for. It marks the transition from a requested action to a decreed reality, underscoring the direct consequence of Pilate's capitulation.
* **required (Greek, _aítēma'_):** Derived from `aiteō` (to ask, demand), `aítēma` refers to "a thing asked," a "petition," or a "request." In this context, it carries the strong connotation of a demand or insistence, reflecting the persistent and forceful clamor of the crowd and the chief priests. It underscores the coercive nature of the pressure exerted on Pilate, leading to his unjust ruling.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Pilate gave sentence":** This clause establishes the subject (Pilate) and his decisive action. "Gave sentence" (ἐπικρίνω) signifies a formal, judicial pronouncement, indicating that Pilate, as the Roman authority, officially rendered his verdict. This was not a casual agreement but a binding legal decree, carrying the full weight of Roman law.
* **"that it should be":** This phrase, using the Greek verb `gínomai`, indicates the outcome or the reality that would now come into existence. It points to the consequence of Pilate's sentence, namely, that the crowd's demand would be fulfilled and become a concrete action. It highlights the direct link between Pilate's decision and the subsequent events.
* **"as they required":** This final clause clarifies the content of Pilate's sentence: it was precisely what the Jewish leaders and the agitated crowd had vehemently demanded. The word "required" (αἴτημα) emphasizes the forceful and persistent nature of their petition, revealing Pilate's capitulation to external pressure rather than adherence to justice or his own convictions of Jesus' innocence. This phrase underscores the tragic injustice of the moment.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's concise phrasing in [Luke 23:24](/luke/23-24 "Luke 23:24 - Pilate's Sentence") employs several literary devices to heighten the dramatic and tragic impact of the scene. The most striking is **Irony**: Pilate, the Roman governor tasked with upholding justice, condemns an innocent man despite repeatedly finding no fault in Him, thereby becoming an instrument of injustice. This is compounded by the **Dramatic Irony** for the reader, who knows the ultimate redemptive purpose of this unjust condemnation. The phrase "as they required" functions as a form of **Euphemism** or **Understatement**, subtly conveying the intense, coercive pressure of the mob without explicitly detailing their violent clamor. The brevity and declarative nature of the verse itself contribute to its chilling effect, presenting the cold, official act without dwelling on the emotional turmoil, thereby emphasizing the stark reality of Pilate's moral failure. This moment also serves as powerful **Foreshadowing**, as Pilate's sentence directly leads to the crucifixion, the central event of Christian theology.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 23:24 stands as a stark testament to the human capacity for injustice and the devastating consequences of moral cowardice in the face of popular pressure. Theologically, Pilate's act of "giving sentence" against an innocent man, despite his own repeated declarations of Jesus' blamelessness, underscores the profound depths of human sin and the corrupting influence of political expediency. Yet, even in this moment of profound human failure, the verse participates in the overarching divine narrative of salvation. It is a critical step in the sovereign plan of God, where the ultimate sacrifice for sin would be accomplished not through human righteousness, but through the unjust condemnation and execution of the sinless Son of God. This paradoxical fulfillment of God's will through human wickedness is a recurring theme in biblical theology, revealing God's ability to work His purposes even through the darkest human actions.

* [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant's Silence")
* [Acts 4:27-28](/acts/4-27-28 "Acts 4:27-28 - God's Sovereign Plan for Jesus' Death")
* [1 Peter 2:23-24](/1_peter/2-23-24 "1 Peter 2:23-24 - Christ's Suffering and Atonement")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 23:24 serves as a powerful and sobering mirror, reflecting the enduring human struggle between conviction and compromise, truth and expediency. Pilate's tragic decision reminds us that even those in positions of power and authority are susceptible to external pressures, often choosing self-preservation or political stability over justice and righteousness. For us today, this verse challenges us to examine our own lives: where do we compromise our convictions for the sake of popularity, comfort, or perceived safety? Do we have the courage to stand for what is right, even when it is unpopular, costly, or goes against the prevailing tide of public opinion? The innocent Christ was condemned by a world unwilling to confront its own sin, and in His condemnation, He paved the way for our redemption. Our application must therefore extend beyond merely avoiding Pilate's error to actively embracing the counter-cultural call of Christ to pursue justice, speak truth, and love righteousness, even when it comes at a personal cost. It calls us to be agents of God's kingdom, willing to stand against injustice and to bear witness to the truth, just as Jesus did.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to compromise my convictions due to external pressure or the desire for approval?**
* **How can I cultivate the moral courage to stand for truth and justice, even when it is unpopular or costly?**
* **What does Pilate's decision reveal about the nature of human power and its potential for corruption, and how does this apply to contemporary leadership?**

### FAQ
**Why did Pilate, who declared Jesus innocent multiple times, ultimately condemn Him?**

Answer: Pilate's decision was a complex confluence of political expediency, fear, and a desire to maintain order in a volatile province. He repeatedly found no fault in Jesus ([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 Finds No Fault"), [Luke 23:22](/luke/23-22 "Luke 23:22 - Pilate's Third Declaration of Innocence")), and even attempted to release Him by offering a choice between Jesus and Barabbas. However, the relentless and escalating demands of the Jewish chief priests and the agitated crowd, coupled with veiled threats about his loyalty to Caesar ([John 19:12](/john/19-12 "John 19:12 - Pilate's Fear of Caesar")), ultimately swayed him. Pilate prioritized avoiding a riot and preserving his political standing over rendering a just verdict, tragically sacrificing an innocent man for his own perceived security.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 23:24, though a somber account of human injustice, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not merely in the condemnation of Jesus, but in the redemptive purpose that condemnation served. Pilate's unjust sentence, a direct consequence of human sin and political cowardice, was paradoxically the very means by which God's eternal plan of salvation was brought to fruition. Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, willingly submitted to this unjust verdict, fulfilling the prophetic words of [Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - The Suffering Servant's Atonement") that He would be "pierced for our transgressions" and "crushed for our iniquities." His condemnation by human hands allowed for our justification before God. Through His death on the cross, a direct result of Pilate's sentence, Jesus bore the penalty for humanity's sins, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. This act of divine exchange—the innocent condemned for the guilty—is the heart of the Gospel, demonstrating God's boundless love and mercy. As [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us") proclaims, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." Thus, Pilate's fateful sentence, intended to quell an earthly disturbance, became the divine catalyst for eternal redemption, ushering in the new covenant established by the blood of Christ ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in Christ's Blood")).

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

Matthew 27:26

¶ Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered [him] to be crucified.

Exodus 23:2

Thou shalt not follow a multitude to [do] evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest [judgment]:

Proverbs 17:15

¶ He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.

Mark 15:15

¶ And [so] Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged [him], to be crucified.

John 19:1

¶ Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged [him].