Luke 23:5

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} they were the more fierce {G2001}, saying {G3004}{G3754}, He stirreth up {G383} the people {G2992}, teaching {G1321} throughout {G2596} all {G3650} Jewry {G2449}, beginning {G756} from {G575} Galilee {G1056} to {G2193} this place {G5602}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But they persisted. “He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Y’hudah — he started in the Galil, and now he’s here!”

Berean Standard Bible

But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people all over Judea with His teaching. He began in Galilee and has come all the way here.”

American Standard Version

But they were the more urgent, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judæa, and beginning from Galilee even unto this place.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 23:5 captures the escalating hostility of the Jewish leaders during Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate. Despite Pilate's initial declaration of Jesus' innocence, the chief priests and scribes intensify their accusations, shifting from religious charges to politically charged allegations of sedition. They vehemently claim Jesus is inciting rebellion among the people by teaching throughout all Judea, specifically highlighting His ministry's reach from Galilee to Jerusalem, thereby attempting to portray Him as a dangerous revolutionary who threatens Roman authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [Pilate's initial declaration of Jesus' innocence](/luke/23-4 "Luke 23:4 - Pilate Finds No Fault"). The Jewish leaders' response in Luke 23:5 demonstrates their relentless determination to secure a conviction, regardless of the evidence. Having failed to secure a condemnation on religious grounds that would concern a Roman governor, they pivot to a political accusation designed to provoke Pilate's intervention. This escalation sets the stage for the subsequent pressure on Pilate, culminating in the crowd's demand for Jesus' crucifixion later in [Luke 23](/luke/23 "Luke 23 - The Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus"). The narrative highlights the stark contrast between Pilate's assessment and the accusers' fervent, unfounded claims.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Judea in the 1st century AD was under Roman occupation, a period marked by simmering nationalist sentiment and occasional uprisings against Roman rule. Galilee, in particular, was known as a hotbed of zealous activity and potential rebellion, making any accusation of "stirring up the people" from that region highly potent and concerning to a Roman governor like Pilate. The Jewish leaders understood this political sensitivity and strategically framed Jesus' widespread teaching ministry as a threat to public order and Roman authority. Their goal was to leverage Roman fear of sedition to achieve their desired outcome, knowing that Pilate would not be interested in internal Jewish religious disputes.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader Passion narrative. It underscores the theme of **unjust accusation and slander**, as Jesus' peaceful teachings about the Kingdom of God are deliberately distorted into charges of sedition. It highlights the **escalating opposition** Jesus faced, demonstrating the relentless and growing determination of His accusers to see Him condemned, regardless of the truth. Furthermore, the mention of Jesus "teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place" ironically affirms the **widespread scope of Jesus' ministry**, which His accusers twist into evidence of a dangerous revolutionary movement. This geographical detail echoes the prophetic anticipation of the Gospel spreading from [Jerusalem to the ends of the earth](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fierce (Greek, _epischýō'_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "to avail further" or "insist stoutly," indicates an intensified, forceful, and unyielding insistence. It conveys the idea that the accusers were not merely repeating their claims but were pressing them with increased vehemence and determination, reflecting their desperate resolve to overcome Pilate's initial reluctance to condemn Jesus.
* **stirreth up (Greek, _anaseíō'_):** Literally meaning "to shake up" or "to excite," this term carries the strong implication of inciting to revolt or causing civil unrest. It is a politically charged accusation, designed to portray Jesus as a dangerous instigator of rebellion against Roman authority, which would be a capital offense. This word directly targets Pilate's primary concern: maintaining peace and order in the province.
* **teaching (Greek, _didáskō'_):** This word refers to the act of instructing, imparting knowledge, or proclaiming doctrine. While Jesus' actual teaching was spiritual and focused on the Kingdom of God, repentance, and righteousness, His accusers twist this legitimate and widespread activity into evidence of seditious intent. The very nature of His ministry, which involved public instruction, is weaponized against Him in this accusation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they were the more fierce":** This phrase emphasizes the heightened intensity and vehemence of the Jewish leaders' accusations. Despite Pilate's declaration of no fault, their resolve to condemn Jesus only grew stronger, indicating a deep-seated animosity and a strategic pivot in their approach.
* **"saying, He stirreth up the people":** This is the core of their political charge. They accuse Jesus of being a rabble-rouser, an agitator who incites the populace to rebellion. This accusation directly appeals to Pilate's responsibility to maintain civil order and suppress any potential insurrections, framing Jesus as a threat to Roman stability.
* **"teaching throughout all Jewry":** This part of the accusation highlights the widespread nature of Jesus' ministry, implying that His influence was not confined to a small sect but had permeated the entire region of Judea. While factually true that Jesus taught widely, the accusers present this as evidence of a large-scale, dangerous movement.
* **"beginning from Galilee to this place":** This geographical detail is crucial. Galilee was known for its volatile political climate and frequent nationalist uprisings. By emphasizing that Jesus' "seditious" teaching originated in Galilee and extended all the way to Jerusalem ("this place"), the accusers sought to maximize the perceived threat, linking Jesus to a region notorious for anti-Roman sentiment.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 23:5 employs several literary devices to heighten the drama and underscore the injustice of Jesus' trial. **Hyperbole** is evident in the accusers' claim that Jesus was "teaching throughout all Jewry," implying a pervasive, dangerous influence that exaggerates the nature of His spiritual ministry into a political threat. There is significant **dramatic irony** in this verse, as the accusers, in their desperate attempt to condemn Jesus by highlighting His widespread influence, inadvertently affirm the truth of His extensive ministry and the reach of His message, which would indeed spread throughout the world. The scene is charged with **tension**, as the verbal assault of the Jewish leaders intensifies against Pilate's initial assessment, creating a palpable sense of conflict and the inevitability of a tragic outcome. The accusers' words also represent a profound act of **slander** and **misrepresentation**, twisting Jesus' peaceful teachings into charges of sedition, thus showcasing the corrupt nature of the legal proceedings against Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 23:5 powerfully illustrates the world's opposition to God's truth, epitomized by the unjust accusations leveled against Jesus. The relentless hostility of the Jewish leaders, fueled by envy and a misunderstanding of Jesus' spiritual kingdom, mirrors a recurring biblical theme: the righteous suffering at the hands of the wicked. This verse underscores the reality that those who faithfully proclaim God's message may face slander and persecution, as their message often challenges entrenched powers and popular misconceptions. The accusers' attempt to paint Jesus as a political revolutionary stands in stark contrast to His actual mission of spiritual liberation and reconciliation, highlighting the profound chasm between human political agendas and God's redemptive plan.

* [Psalm 35:11](/psalms/35-11 "Psalm 35:11 - False Witnesses Arise")
* [Matthew 5:11-12](/matthew/5-11-12 "Matthew 5:11-12 - Blessings for the Persecuted")
* [1 Peter 2:21-23](/1_peter/2-21-23 "1 Peter 2:21-23 - Christ's Example of Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 23:5 serves as a poignant reminder that truth often faces fierce opposition, especially when it challenges established powers, popular opinion, or deeply held prejudices. It vividly illustrates how good intentions and beneficial work, such as Jesus' teaching ministry, can be deliberately twisted into malicious accusations. For believers today, this passage encourages perseverance in living out one's faith and proclaiming the Gospel, even when facing slander, unjust criticism, or being misunderstood. It calls us to draw strength from Christ's example of enduring false accusations with grace, truth, and unwavering commitment to His Father's will. We are reminded that our ultimate vindication comes not from human courts or public opinion, but from God, who sees and knows all things. This verse challenges us to examine our own reactions when faced with injustice: do we respond with anger, or with the quiet dignity and truthfulness modeled by our Savior?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' response to these false accusations challenge my own reactions when I feel misunderstood or slandered?**
* **In what ways might my own "good works" or faithful witness be misinterpreted or opposed in the world today?**
* **What lessons can I draw from the steadfastness of Jesus in the face of such intense and unjust opposition?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Jewish leaders accuse Jesus of sedition rather than blasphemy to Pilate?**

Answer: The Jewish leaders accused Jesus of sedition (stirring up the people) to Pilate because blasphemy, while a capital offense under Jewish law, was not a crime punishable by death under Roman law. Pilate, as the Roman governor, would not have been concerned with internal Jewish religious disputes. However, inciting rebellion against Roman authority was a grave political offense, directly threatening Roman peace and order, and was punishable by crucifixion. By shifting their accusation to a political charge, they aimed to compel Pilate to act, knowing that he would be obligated to address any perceived threat to Roman rule, as seen in [Luke 23:2](/luke/23-2 "Luke 23:2 - The Accusation of Sedition").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 23:5, with its depiction of Jesus facing false accusations of sedition and widespread agitation, profoundly points to His Christ-centered fulfillment as the innocent Suffering Servant. Though His accusers twisted His peaceful teaching ministry into a political threat, Jesus was indeed "stirring up" the people, but not for rebellion against Rome. He was stirring them to repentance and faith in the Kingdom of God, fulfilling the prophetic call for a Messiah who would proclaim good news to the poor and liberty to the captives, as He declared in [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Mission Statement"). His journey "from Galilee to this place" (Jerusalem) was not the march of a revolutionary, but the deliberate path of the Lamb of God, who came to lay down His life as a ransom for many, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant"). The false charges and the relentless opposition He faced were part of God's sovereign plan to bring about the ultimate sacrifice for sin, demonstrating that Jesus, the true King, would conquer not by political power, but by humble obedience and sacrificial love, ultimately establishing a kingdom that is [not of this world](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World") but reigns eternally.

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 2:11

This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

John 1:43

¶ The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

Mark 1:14

¶ Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

Matthew 4:23

¶ And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

Acts 23:10

And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring [him] into the castle.

Luke 4:14

¶ And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.

Luke 4:15

And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.