Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 23:6
When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.
Whether he were a Galilean – He asked this because, if he was, he properly belonged to Herods jurisdiction, who reigned over Galilee.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
When Pilate heard of Galilee,…. “The name of Galilee”, as the Syriac and Persic versions read when that was mentioned,
he asked; the Ethiopic version says, the “Galilaeans”; some of which might be present, being come to the feast of the passover, and were very proper persons to inquire of:
whether the man were a Galilean; so Jesus was reputed to be: for though he was born at Bethlehem of Judah, he was brought up at Nazareth in Galilee, where he spent the greater part of his private life, and his public ministry was chiefly exercised in those parts; hence the Jews thought, that he came out of Galilee, and was a Galilean, Joh 7:41 and so he used to be called by Julian the apostate; and it seems, that the answer returned to Pilate was, that he was a Galilean; and so the Persic version adds, and they said, yes; for it follows,
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
A Galilean (). If so, here was a way out for Herod without going back on his own decision.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Of Galilee. The best texts omit.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
JESUS SENT TO HEROD BY PILATE V. 6.12
1) “When Pilate heard of Galilee,” (Pilatos de aksusas) “Then Pilate upon hearing of his origin from Galilee;” It gave him a way to avoid passing immediate judgment against Him; for Galilee was
where Jesus began His ministry, Mat 4:12-17.
2) “He asked whether the man were a Galilaean.” (eperotesen ei ho anthropos Galilaios estin) “He questioned if the man was a Galilaean,” or to confirm for certain that He was, Luk 4:14-22; Act 10:36-43. For he saw a way to escape passing judgment on Jesus, with credit to himself.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(6) When Pilate heard of Galilee.The incident that follows is peculiar to St. Luke, and may have been obtained by him from Manaen or other persons connected with the Herodian household with whom he appears to have come in contact. (See Introduction.) It is obvious that Pilate catches at the word in the hope of shifting on another the responsibility of con demning One whom he believed to be innocent and had learnt to respect, while yet he had not the courage to acquit Him.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
136. JESUS SENT TO HEROD, vv. AND RETURNED BY HEROD TO PILATE, Luk 23:6-12 .
7. Herod’s jurisdiction The authority of Herod Antipas extended over Galilee and Peraea.
At Jerusalem Doubtless to keep the Passover. For a full account of Herod Antipas see our notes on Mat 14:1-11, and on Luk 13:31-32.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘But when Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man were a Galilean. And when he knew that he was of Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem in these days.’
At the mention of Galilee Pilate pricked up his ears. If the man was a Galilean then perhaps Herod would know what He was talking about. For he himself certainly did not. (Compare how Festus consulted with Agrippa – Acts 25). So he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem for the Passover, not so that Herod could try Him, but in order that he might investigate the matter and give his views on the matter.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jesus before Herod:
v. 6. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the Man were a Galilean.
v. 7. And as soon as he knew that He belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
v. 8. And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad; for he was desirous to see Him of a long season because he had heard many things of Him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by Him.
v. 9. Then he questioned with Him in many words; but He answered him nothing
v. 10. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him.
v. 11. And Herod with his men of war set Him at naught, and mocked Him, and arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him again to Pilate.
v. 12. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together; for before they were at enmity between themselves. As soon as Pilate heard the word Galilee, he became intensely interested. Calm, judicious reasoning had told him from the start that Jesus was innocent, but his weak, vacillating nature feared an uprising of the Jews, which might have become a serious matter with the city full of pilgrims. Here was a chance to get rid of the entire unpleasant matter. At once he inquired and received the information that Jesus belonged to the jurisdiction of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee. Without a moment’s delay, the governor of Judea, to whose court the case had been brought and by whom it should be decided, sent the prisoner to Herod, who had also come up for the feast and resided in the fine palace of the Herodian family in the western part of the city. That was cowardice on the part of Pilate, combined with legal quibbling. He tried to evade the issue, to escape a disagreeable situation. He had not been so careful of jurisdiction when he had caused the Galileans to be killed in the Temple, Luk 13:1. If anyone holds an office, he should perform the work of that office, even though it occasionally be disagreeable. And, above all, everyone should be honest and true in his work. Herod was highly pleased when Jesus was brought before him. He had heard many things concerning Him even in Galilee, Luk 9:7-9, and had been anxious to see Him for a long time. He now had the opportunity without a special effort on his part. Here was a new amusement to keep him occupied, to provide an agreeable change in the monotony of life, for the prisoner might be able to delight him and his courtiers with some clever tricks or even perform a miracle for his special benefit. As soon as Jesus. was brought into his palace, therefore, he plied Him with questions of many kinds. But he. was sadly disappointed, for Jesus did not answer him with so much as a word. Herod had had opportunity enough to hear the truth, out of the mouth of that fearless witness, John the Baptist, but he had hardened his heart against the truth and had killed the preacher of righteousness. And even now it was not the desire for the preaching of salvation that was actuating him, but mere curiosity. That is a terrible punishment of God when He no longer addresses Himself to a person in His Gospel, but ignores him entirely. The chief priests and scribes, fearing that their case might take an unfavorable turn in their absence, had followed the soldiers with the prisoner to the palace of Herod and there renewed their vehement charges. But Herod paid no attention to their crying. His hope of amusement had been spoiled by the unwillingness of the prisoner to respond. He and the soldiers of his body-guard, therefore, treated Him with every sign of contempt, mocked Him, had Him clothed in a costly or shining robe, “probably a cast-off royal mantle of his own,” and then sent Him back to Pilate. His action indicated that he considered Jesus a helpless, irresponsible fool, a mock king, a man to be laughed at, not to be feared or punished. Pilate and Herod had before this, probably due to the governor’s cruel action, been on bad terms; there had been enmity between them. But now the disagreement was forgotten. Herod had had his sport, such as it was, but would not try the case, which he referred back to Pilate as the proper judge. Jesus was the plaything of unprincipled men. There is really no difference in kind, whether: the children of the world accuse Christ and the disciples of Christ as rebels and perverters of morals or despise them as innocuous fools. And where enmity toward Christ is concerned, former enemies become the best of friends.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Luk 23:6-7 . Pilate was glad to seize the opportunity, when he heard the name of Galilee ( .), instead of defending the guiltless, to draw himself out of the business at first, at least by a preliminary reference to the judgment of Herod, [262] which might cause him possibly to be transported to Galilee, and so he might be relieved of the transaction. Herod Antipas was tetrarch of Galilee and Peraea. Comp. Luk 3:1 .
] he sent Him up , as the word, moreover, is used among the Greeks of the sending of delinquents to a higher judicature. Comp. Polyb. i. 7. 12, xxix. 11. 9. In the same manner ; comp. on Act 25:21 ; but at Luk 23:11 it is: he sent back (Phm 1:11 ).
[262] Scarcely merely for the sake of learning the opinion of Herod (Ewald), for this is not made self-evident by the simple ; nor, moreover, for the sake of learning the truth from Herod (Neander).
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.
Ver. 6. He asked ] As desirous to rid his hands of him.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
6 12. ] HE IS SENT TO HEROD, AND BY HIM RETURNED TO PILATE. Peculiar to Luke: see remarks on Luk 23:12 . Pilate, conscious that he must either do the duty of an upright judge and offend the Jews, or sacrifice his duty to his popularity, first attempts to get rid of the matter altogether by sending his prisoner to Herod, on occasion of this word Galilee . This was Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Pera (see ch. Luk 3:1 and note on Mat 14:1 ), who had come up to keep the feast.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Luk 23:6-12 . Before Herod , peculiar to Lk.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Luk 23:6-7
6When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7And when he learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem at that time.
Luk 23:6 This is a first class conditional sentence. Pilate assumed Jesus was from Galilee.
Luk 23:7 “Herod’s jurisdiction” This refers to Herod Antipas. See Special Topic: Herod the Great and His Family at Luk 3:1.
“who himself also was in Jerusalem at that time” Passover was one of the three major annual Jewish feasts (cf. Leviticus 23). All Jewish males were expected to attend. Certainly all Jewish leaders would be present.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
of Galilee = Galilee [mentioned].
whether = if. App-118.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
6-12.] HE IS SENT TO HEROD, AND BY HIM RETURNED TO PILATE. Peculiar to Luke: see remarks on Luk 23:12. Pilate, conscious that he must either do the duty of an upright judge and offend the Jews, or sacrifice his duty to his popularity, first attempts to get rid of the matter altogether by sending his prisoner to Herod, on occasion of this word Galilee. This was Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Pera (see ch. Luk 3:1 and note on Mat 14:1), who had come up to keep the feast.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
a Galilaean: Luk 13:1, Act 5:37
Reciprocal: Luk 3:1 – Herod Act 23:34 – he asked
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
7
This was Herod Anti-pas, who was governor over the territory of Galilee, but was in Jerusalem at this time because of the Passover. If he could turn Jesus over to him, Pilate thought he might get rid of the problem that was worrying him, which was that of disposing of the case against Jesus. He did not believe that Jesus was guilty of any wrong, yet was hesitating about declaring him free because of political reasons (Joh 19:12).
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Luk 23:6. Heard it; probably the name Galilee.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Vers. 6-12. Luke alone relates this remarkable circumstance. By this step the clever Roman gained two ends at once. First he got rid of the business which was imposed on him, and then he took the first step toward a reconciliation with Herod (Luk 23:12). The cause of their quarrel had probably been some conflict of jurisdiction. In that case, was not the best means of soldering up the quarrel to concede to him a right of jurisdiction within the very city of Jerusalem? Herod had come to the capital, like Pilate, on account of the feast; ordinarily he lived in the old castle of the Asmonean kings, on the hill of Zion. Jesus was to him what a skilful juggler is to a seated courtan object of curiosity. But Jesus did not lend Himself to such a part; He had neither words nor miracles for a man so disposed, in whom, besides, He saw with horror the murderer of John the Baptist. Before this personage, a monstrous mixture of bloody levity and sombre superstition, He maintained a silence which even the accusations of the Sanhedrim (Luk 23:10) could not lead Him to break. Herod, wounded and humiliated, took vengeance on this conduct by contempt. The expression, a gorgeous robe (Luk 23:11), denotes not a purple garment, but a white mantle, like that worn by Jewish kings and Roman grandees on high occasions. We cannot see in this, with Riggenbach, a contemptuous allusion to the white robe of the high priest. It was a parody of the royal claims of Jesus, but at the same time an indirect declaration of His innocence, at least in a political point of view.
The , soldiers of Herod, can only mean his attendants, his body – guard, who were allowed to accompany him in the capital.
Fuente: Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)
CXXX.
SECOND STAGE OF THE ROMAN TRIAL.
JESUS BEFORE HEROD ANTIPAS.
(Jerusalem. Early Friday morning.)
cLUKE XXIII. 6-12.
c6 But when Pilate heard it [when he heard that Jesus had begun his operations in Galilee], he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. 7 And when he knew that he was of Herod’s jurisdiction [Herod was tetrarch of Galilee– Luk 3:1], he sent him unto Herod, who himself also [“also” includes both Pilate and Herod, neither of whom lived at Jerusalem] was at Jerusalem in these days. [“These days” refers to the passover season. Pilate had come up from his residence at Csarea to keep order during the passover, and Herod had come from Tiberias to keep in favor with the Jews by showing his respect to their festival. Hearing that Jesus was a citizen of Herod’s province, Pilate saw an opportunity to do two things: first, by sending Jesus to Herod he would either shift or divide the grave responsibility in which he was placed; second, he would show a courtesy to Herod which might help to remove Herod’s enmity toward him, a courtesy which perhaps might be the reverse of the discourtesy which likely caused the enmity– Luke xiii. 1.] 8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was of a long time desirous to see him, because he had heard concerning him; and he hoped to see some miracle done by him. [As to Herod’s previous knowledge of Christ, see Luke ix. 7-9.] 9 And he questioned him in many words; but he answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him. [The rulers felt that their case had well-nigh failed before Pilate, so they became the more urgent in the presence of Herod, since Herod had less reason to fear them than Pilate. In the midst of this, Jesus stood silent, answering [709] neither question nor accusation. Herod, as sated ruler, adulterer, and murderer, wished Jesus to turn juggler for his amusement; but the Son of God had nothing but silence for such a creature. The only contemptuous word which Jesus is recorded to have spoken had reference to this ruler– Luke xiii. 31, 32.] 11 And Herod with his soldiers set him at nought, and mocked him, and arraying him in gorgeous apparel sent him back to Pilate. [Herod took vengeance upon the silence of Christ by treating him with abusive contempt. But finding nothing in Jesus worthy of condemnation, he returned him to Pilate.] 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day: for before they were at enmity between themselves. [Thus Pilate gained but half his desire: Herod was now his friend, but the case of Jesus was still on his hands.]
[FFG 709-710]
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
JESUS BEFORE HEROD
Luk 23:6-12. Pilate, hearing of Galilee, asked if He is a Galilean man. And learning that He is from Herods jurisdiction, he sent Him up to Herod, he also being in Jerusalem in those days. As Jesus had been; reared in Galilee, He was known everywhere as a citizen of that country, which belonged to the kingdom of Herod, who made it a rule to be in Jerusalem during the great convocations, having also a judgment-hall there for the convenience of business which might be encumbered on him during the festivals. Already has Pilate seen that terrible trouble is brewing in the case, as, he finds the Man utterly innocent, and yet the chief priests, followed by the howling mob, clamor for His blood and are determined on His execution. Consequently Pilate is delighted with the prospect of getting rid of the case, which is already becoming truly formidable.
And Herod, seeing Jesus, rejoiced exceedingly; for he was a long time wishing to see Him, because he was hearing of many things concerning Him, and he hoped to see some miracle wrought by Him. And he asked Him in many words, and He responded to him nothing. The chief priests and scribes stood by, accusing Him vehemently. Though they just lied on Him by wholesale and by false accusation did their utmost to induce Herod to sign His death-warrant, Jesus answered not a word, treating Herod and his clamorous accusers with profound silence. Will you not do likewise? Though people tell a thousand lies on you, keep your mouth shut, thus following the example of your Lord, who, when reviled, reviled not again. When under strong temptation, and especially false accusation, you see, reticence is the true policy. Let your enemies do all the talking, and they will break down and get ashamed before you are aware.
And Herod having treated Him with contempt, and mocked Him, along with his soldiers, putting on Him a scarlet robe, sent Him back to Pilate. As high treason against Caesar was the climax of all their vociferous accusations, Herod regarded Him as a visionary enthusiast, deluded with the idea that He was King of the Jews, which he thought as utterly preposterous, since He was alone, not only without an army to defend Him, but apparently friendless and homeless; therefore he concluded to humor the joke by investing Him with an old royal robe, and sending Him back to Pilate in the habit and attitude of a King, saying to him, O yes, I have recognized His royal dignity, and now clothe Him in a purple robe, and send Him back to you.
And they both, Pilate and Herod, became friends with each other that same day; for they were formerly accustomed to be in hostility either to other. O how frequently do we see this historic item verified, the belligerent sects laying down their cudgels, becoming friendly, and uniting against the holiness people!
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Luk 23:6-16. Pilate, Herod, and Jesus (Lk. only).The historicity of this incident has been questioned on two grounds. (1) There was not time for it before the Crucifixion at 9 A.M. But the Crucifixion may have been really nearer noon. (2) It seems made (cf. Luk 23:8) to connect with Luk 9:9. This is not a strong argument. For a defence of the story, see A. W. Verrall in JThS, April 1909 (x. 321). Lk. may have found the story in some very early form of the Gospel of Peter and used it as emphasising the innocence of Jesus, the goodwill of Pilate, and the insults of the Jewish (rather than the Roman) ruler and his guard. The Herod is Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee, and therefore Jesus sovereign; he may have been in Jerusalem for the Passover. Jesus is silent when questioned, as Mk. (Mar 15:3-5) says He was before Pilate. When He is brought back to the procurator the latter repeats his conviction of Jesus innocence, and says that Herod is of the same opinion. Scourging should meet the case; it would at least teach the accused to be more discreet.
Fuente: Peake’s Commentary on the Bible
23:6 {2} When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.
(2) Christ is a laughing stock to princes, but to their great pain.