Luke 23:4

KJV

Then said Pilate to the chief priests and [to] the people, I find no fault in this man.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} said {G2036} Pilate {G4091} to {G4314} the chief priests {G749} and {G2532} to the people {G3793}, I find {G2147} no {G3762} fault {G158} in {G1722} this {G5129} man {G444}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Pilate said to the head cohanim and the crowds, “I find no ground for a charge against this man.”

Berean Standard Bible

Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

American Standard Version

And Pilate said unto the chief priests and the multitudes, I find no fault in this man.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 23:4 captures Pontius Pilate's initial declaration of Jesus' innocence before the Jewish chief priests and the gathered crowd. This pivotal statement, made after a preliminary interrogation, establishes that the Roman authority found no legal basis or criminal charge against Jesus, setting the stage for the escalating conflict between Pilate's legal judgment and the relentless demands of the Jewish leadership for Jesus' crucifixion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in Luke's passion narrative, immediately following the Jewish leaders' accusations against Jesus before Pilate in [Luke 23:1-3](/luke/23-1-3 "Luke 23:1-3 - Accusations Before Pilate"). The accusations include subverting the nation, forbidding tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be a king. Pilate's declaration of "no fault" serves as a direct response to these charges, indicating his initial assessment that Jesus posed no threat to Roman authority. This statement is then followed by the crowd's intensified demands, leading to Pilate's attempt to appease them through the custom of releasing a prisoner, specifically Barabbas, as recounted in [Luke 23:13-25](/luke/23-13-25 "Luke 23:13-25 - Pilate's Attempts to Release Jesus"). Pilate reiterates Jesus' innocence multiple times ([Luke 23:14-15](/luke/23-14-15 "Luke 23:14-15 - Pilate's Second Declaration of Innocence"), [Luke 23:22](/luke/23-22 "Luke 23:22 - Pilate's Third Declaration of Innocence")), underscoring the profound injustice of the trial.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Pontius Pilate served as the Roman prefect (governor) of Judea from A.D. 26-36. His primary responsibilities included maintaining order, collecting taxes, and administering justice. Roman law, unlike Jewish law, focused on crimes against the state, such as sedition or treason. The Jewish leaders, lacking the authority to execute, brought Jesus to Pilate, framing their charges in terms that would concern a Roman governor (e.g., claiming kingship, inciting rebellion). Pilate's inquiry, therefore, would have focused on whether Jesus' actions constituted a threat to Roman rule. The presence of "the people" alongside the chief priests indicates the public nature of the trial and the significant popular pressure Pilate faced. The Roman legal system, while generally structured, could be swayed by political expediency, especially in volatile provinces like Judea, where maintaining peace was paramount.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 23:4 contributes significantly to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully highlights **Jesus' Innocence and Righteousness**, a truth affirmed not only by divine testimony but also by a secular, pagan authority. This legal acquittal underscores His blamelessness, which is foundational to His role as the perfect sacrifice for sin, as seen in passages like [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes the **Injustice of Jesus' Trial and Condemnation**. Despite Pilate's clear finding, the subsequent events reveal a perversion of justice driven by religious animosity and political fear, illustrating humanity's rejection of God's Messiah. Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Opposition**, demonstrating that even through human failings and injustice, God's predetermined plan for salvation was unfolding, a concept articulated in [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Determined Purpose").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Greek, _épō'_):** This primary verb (G2036) signifies to "speak or say (by word or writing)." In this context, it denotes a formal declaration made by Pilate, indicating a definitive verbal pronouncement of his judgment. It carries the weight of official communication from a governing authority.
* **fault (Greek, _aítion'_):** Derived from `aítios` (G158), this word means "a reason or crime." When Pilate states he finds "no *aítion*," he is asserting that he finds no legal cause, no justifiable charge, or no legitimate reason for condemnation according to Roman law. It is a declaration of legal acquittal, emphasizing the absence of any criminal offense warranting punishment.
* **find (Greek, _heurískō'_):** This verb (G2147) means "to find (literally or figuratively); to get, obtain, perceive, see." Pilate's use of *heurískō* suggests that he has conducted an inquiry, a search for evidence, and his conclusion is the result of this investigation. It implies a discovery or a determination based on his examination of Jesus and the accusations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people":** This opening clause establishes the speaker (Pilate), the recipients of his declaration (the chief priests and the people), and the public nature of the pronouncement. The conjunction "Then" (G1161, *dé*) indicates a progression in the narrative, following Pilate's interrogation of Jesus. Addressing both the religious leaders and the general populace underscores the immediate audience and the political pressure Pilate was under, as well as his attempt to make a public legal pronouncement.
* **"I find no fault in this man":** This is the core of Pilate's statement. "I find" (G2147, *heurískō*) signifies Pilate's personal conclusion after his examination. "No fault" (G3762, *oudeís* + G158, *aítion*) is an emphatic negation, asserting the complete absence of any criminal charge or legal basis for condemnation. "In this man" (G1722, *en* + G5129, *toútōi* + G444, *ánthrōpos*) refers specifically to Jesus, whom Pilate has just interrogated. This declaration is a legal acquittal from the Roman perspective, stating that Jesus has committed no offense worthy of punishment under Roman law.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 23:4 employs several literary devices to heighten the drama and underscore its theological significance. **Irony** is prominent, as the very authority appointed to uphold justice declares Jesus innocent, yet this declaration ultimately leads to His unjust condemnation. Pilate, a pagan Roman, becomes an unwitting witness to Jesus' blamelessness, contrasting sharply with the religious leaders who seek His death. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as Pilate's repeated declarations of innocence throughout the trial ([Luke 23:14-15](/luke/23-14-15 "Luke 23:14-15 - Pilate's Second Declaration"), [Luke 23:22](/luke/23-22 "Luke 23:22 - Pilate's Third Declaration")) emphasize the profound injustice that is about to unfold, setting the stage for the ultimate sacrifice of the blameless Lamb. The use of **Legal Language** (e.g., "fault," "find") lends an air of officiality and legal weight to Pilate's statement, making his acquittal of Jesus all the more significant in its contrast with the subsequent perversion of justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Pilate's declaration of Jesus' innocence in Luke 23:4 is a cornerstone for understanding the theological significance of Christ's passion. It unequivocally affirms Jesus' sinless nature, not merely as a theological doctrine, but as a fact attested even by an impartial, secular authority. This blamelessness is crucial because it establishes Jesus as the perfect, unblemished sacrifice required for the atonement of sins, fulfilling the Old Testament sacrificial system. His condemnation, therefore, was not due to any personal transgression but was a substitutionary act, where the innocent bore the penalty for the guilty. This divine paradox highlights both the depth of human sin and the boundless grace of God in providing a spotless Lamb.

* [John 18:38](/john/18-38 "John 18:38 - Pilate's Question to Jesus")
* [1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinless Example")
* [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 23:4 serves as a powerful reminder of the profound injustice Jesus endured, despite being declared innocent by the very authority meant to uphold justice. For us today, this verse calls for deep reflection on the nature of truth, justice, and integrity. It challenges us to consider how easily truth can be suppressed or distorted by popular opinion, political pressure, or personal prejudice. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody His righteousness and to stand for truth, even when it is unpopular or costly. We are also reminded that God's sovereign plan unfolds even amidst human failings and evil. Just as Jesus, though innocent, willingly submitted to the cross for our salvation, we are called to surrender our lives to God's purposes, trusting that His ultimate will prevails. This verse encourages us to examine our own hearts: do we seek to uphold truth and justice in our spheres of influence, or do we capitulate to external pressures? Do we recognize the perfect righteousness of Christ as the foundation of our hope?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Pilate's declaration of "no fault" deepen your understanding of Jesus' perfect righteousness and His role as the spotless Lamb of God?**
* **In what ways do you see truth being suppressed or justice perverted in the world today, and how might this verse inform your response?**
* **What pressures in your own life might tempt you to compromise on truth or integrity, and how can you draw strength from Christ's example?**

### FAQ
**Why did Pilate declare Jesus innocent multiple times if he eventually condemned Him?**

Answer: Pilate's repeated declarations of Jesus' innocence, as seen in [Luke 23:4](/luke/23-4 "Luke 23:4 - Pilate Finds No Fault"), [Luke 23:14-15](/luke/23-14-15 "Luke 23:14-15 - Pilate's Second Declaration"), and [Luke 23:22](/luke/23-22 "Luke 23:22 - Pilate's Third Declaration"), reflect his internal conflict and political maneuvering. From a Roman legal perspective, Jesus had committed no crime worthy of death. Pilate likely recognized the baselessness of the charges and Jesus' harmlessness to Roman authority. However, he was also a pragmatic governor whose primary concern was maintaining peace and order in a volatile province. The persistent and increasingly violent demands of the Jewish chief priests and the crowd, coupled with veiled threats of reporting him to Caesar if he released someone claiming to be a king ([John 19:12](/john/19-12 "John 19:12 - Pilate's Fear of Caesar")), put immense political pressure on him. His declarations of innocence were attempts to release Jesus without inciting a riot or jeopardizing his own position, demonstrating his moral weakness and eventual capitulation to political expediency over justice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Pilate's declaration, "I find no fault in this man," serves as a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, highlighting Jesus' perfect righteousness as the prerequisite for His atoning work. This legal acquittal by a pagan authority underscores the biblical truth that Jesus was indeed the sinless Lamb of God, as foretold by John the Baptist in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His blamelessness, attested even by His accusers, means that His death was not a punishment for His own sin, but a substitutionary sacrifice for ours. He, "who knew no sin, became sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). The Old Testament sacrificial system, which required an unblemished animal ([Leviticus 1:3](/leviticus/1-3 "Leviticus 1:3 - Requirements for Burnt Offerings")), finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's perfect life and death. Therefore, Pilate's words, though spoken by a man seeking to avoid political trouble, inadvertently confirm the very purity necessary for Jesus to be our High Priest, "holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens" ([Hebrews 7:26](/hebrews/7-26 "Hebrews 7:26 - Christ, Our Perfect High Priest")), making His sacrifice efficacious for the forgiveness of sins and the reconciliation of humanity to God.

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

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].

Luke 23:14

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:

Luke 23:15

No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.

Luke 23:22

And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let [him] go.

1 Peter 2:22

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

Mark 15:14

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

1 Peter 1:19

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: