Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 23:23
And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
23. the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed ] St Luke here omits the flagellation (Mat 27:26 ); the derision and mock homage of the soldiery the scarlet sagum and crown of thorns; the awful scene of the Ecce Homo; the fresh terror of Pilate on hearing that He called Himself “the Son of God,” and the deepening of that terror by the final questioning in the Praetorium; the “Behold your King !”; the introduction of the name of Caesar into the shouts of the multitude; Pilate’s washing his hands; the last awful shout “His blood be on us and on our children;” and the clothing of Jesus again in His own garments. (See Matthew , 27; Mark 15; Joh 18:19) To suppose that there was a second scourging after the sentence is a mistake. Mat 27:26 is retrospective.
And they were instant with loud voices,…. They were urgent, and insisted upon his crucifixion, and pressed hard for it, and exerted their voices, and more loudly called:
requiring him, that he might be crucified: desiring it in the most importunate manner; signifying, that it must be, that nothing else would content them:
and the voices of them, and the chief priests, prevailed; upon Pilate to grant their request, contrary to the dictates of his own conscience, the conduct of Herod, and the message of his wife; the people being set on by the chief priests, and the chief priests joining with them, their numbers were so great, and their requests were pressed with so much force, and violence, and importunity, that Pilate could not withstand them.
But they were instant ( ). Imperfect middle of , an old verb for the rush and swirl of a tempest. With loud voices ( ). Instrumental case. Poor Pilate was overwhelmed by this tornado. Prevailed (). Imperfect active of (see Matt 16:18; Luke 21:36). The tempest Pilate had invited (23:13). They were instant [] . Instant, in the sense of urgent, pressing. See on ch. Luk 7:4. Compare Rom 12:12; 2Ti 4:2; Luk 7:4; Act 26:7. The verb means to lie upon, and answers to our vulgarism, to lay one’s self down to work. Compare Aristophanes, “Knights,” 253 : kajpikeimenov boa, roar with all your might. Lit., roar, lying down to it. Their voices. Omit of the chief priests. Prevailed [] . Had power [] to bear down [] the remonstrances of Pilate. Only here and Mt 16:18.
1) “And they were instant with loud voices,” (ho de epekeinto phonais megalais) “Then they insisted (protested) with great (megaphone) voices,” that Jesus should not be released; They made a tumult, near insurrection against Pilate, Mat 27:24.
2) “Requiring that he might be crucified.” (aitoumenoi auton staurothenai) “Asking that he might be crucified, “in effect urging or demanding it of Pilate, pressuring him, Mar 15:13; Psa 22:12.
3) “And the voice of them and of the chief priests prevailed.” (kai katischuon hai phonai auton) “And their voices prevailed,” voices of hate, malice, and falsehood, the voices of the administrative priests and the mob that they had incited, prevailed in influencing Pilate to agree, give sanction orders, that the Roman soldiers should take Jesus away to crucify Him, Mar 15:14.
(23) They were instant.Literally, they pressed upon Him. As the adjective is almost passing into the list of obsolescent words, it may be well to remind the reader that it has the force of urgent. So we have instant in prayer (Rom. 12:12), be instant in season, out of season (2Ti. 4:2).
And of the chief priests.The words are omitted in many of the best MSS.
‘But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. And their voices prevailed.’
But the crowds had now been worked up to fever pitch, and they cried with strong voices that Jesus be crucified. So on both sides of the declarations of innocence (in Luk 23:22) comes the baying of the crowds for crucifixion (here and in Luk 23:21) There could be no doubt in the minds of Luke’s readers who really were to blame for what was about to happen. It was now apparent that the Jews would not take no for an answer, and Pilate’s weakness was again revealed. His momentary lapse into comparative decency was put behind him. ‘Their voices prevailed’.
23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
Ver. 23. And they were instant with loud voices ] It is said of Nestorius the heretic, that he was homo superbus, et indoctus, sed audax, et magnae loquentiae; qua unica fretus, nihil non audebat; et quidem saepenumero faeliciter, quod volebat, obtinebat; a proud dunce, but bold and loud spoken, whereby he had what he would many times. (Zanchius.)
23. ] got the upper hand, prevailed: see reff.
Luk 23:23 . , “they were instant,” A.V [197] The verb is used absolutely. , were overpowering; “ecce gentis ingenium!” Pricaeus.
[197] Authorised Version.
were instant = were urgent. Greek. epikeimai, to press upon. Compare Luk 7:4. Jdg 16:16. Act 26:7. Rom 12:12. 2Ti 4:2.
requiring. App-134. = had power to bear down (Pilate’s remonstrance).
23.] -got the upper hand, prevailed: see reff.
Luk 23:23. , and of the chief priests) Forgetful even of common propriety, they joined with the rabble in their clamour.
Luk 23:5, Psa 22:12, Psa 22:13, Psa 57:4, Zec 11:8
Reciprocal: Exo 23:2 – follow Psa 22:16 – assembly Pro 24:11 – General Isa 49:7 – to him whom man despiseth Dan 6:6 – assembled together Mar 15:14 – And Luk 23:21 – General Joh 19:1 – Pilate Act 25:15 – when
3
The two classes in the audience (priests and people), united in the demand for the crucifixion of Jesus. The inspired writer says their voices prevailed. There was no addi tional evidence produced; just the pressure of public sentiment.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary