Luke 23:4

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

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}.

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

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

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

Context of Luke 23:4

This verse is a pivotal moment in the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. After the Jewish religious leaders brought Jesus to Pilate, accusing Him of various offenses, including subverting the nation, forbidding tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be a king (Luke 23:2), Pilate conducted his own interrogation. Luke's Gospel highlights Pilate's repeated attempts to find a legal basis for the charges, underscoring the Roman authority's perspective on Jesus' alleged crimes. This declaration marks Pilate's initial finding of innocence, setting the stage for the dramatic events that follow.

Key Themes in Luke 23:4

  • Jesus' Innocence Confirmed: Pilate's clear statement, "I find no fault in this man," serves as an emphatic declaration of Jesus' legal blamelessness from a secular authority. This corroborates the biblical truth of Christ's sinless nature, a crucial aspect of His redemptive work (see Hebrews 4:15).
  • The Injustice of the Trial: Despite Pilate's finding, the chief priests and the people persisted in their demands for Jesus' crucifixion, illustrating the profound injustice and political pressure at play. This highlights the human rejection of God's perfect plan.
  • Pilate's Wavering Conviction: While Pilate initially declares Jesus innocent, his subsequent actions reveal his reluctance to release Him due to fear of unrest and pressure from the Jewish authorities. This tension reveals Pilate's moral dilemma and eventual capitulation.

Linguistic Insight

The Greek word translated "fault" in this verse is aitia (αἰτία), which means "cause," "reason," or "charge." When Pilate says "I find no aitia in this man," he is stating that he finds no legal basis, no justifiable charge, or no legitimate reason for condemnation according to Roman law. This is a legal acquittal, emphasizing that Jesus had committed no crime worthy of punishment.

Significance and Application

Luke 23:4 powerfully underscores the truth that Jesus was condemned despite being innocent. This truth is central to Christian theology, as it reveals that Jesus was the blameless sacrifice, bearing the sins of humanity though He Himself had none. For believers today, this verse serves as a reminder of:

  • Christ's Perfect Righteousness: His innocence was attested even by His accusers, affirming His divine purity.
  • The Nature of Injustice: It shows how truth can be suppressed and justice perverted by popular opinion, political expediency, or religious prejudice.
  • God's Sovereign Plan: Despite human injustice, God's ultimate plan for salvation through the crucifixion of His innocent Son was fulfilled (Acts 2:23).

This verse encourages us to stand for truth even when it is unpopular and to remember that God's purposes will ultimately prevail, even in the face of profound human failings.

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].

  • 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:

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