Knowing The Word in Luke 23:6-16

Jesus Before Herod

23:6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.”

Comments

This story of Jesus’ encounter with Herod in Jerusalem is peculiar to Luke. Pilate was looking for a way out of having to sentence Jesus and find him guilty of something. He found one. The Roman legal system allowed for an accused person to be transferred to the jurisdiction to which the accused belonged, which in Jesus’ case was Galilee and Herod.

Sensing a greater opportunity with Herod than Pilate, the chief priests followed and made sure Herod did not release him, hoping Herod would condemn him to death. Herod, who had been looking for Jesus, wanted to see him perform a miracle. With the Son of God before him, Herod only offered contempt. Jesus remained silent. Herod was the only person Jesus never gave an answer to, which must tell us how depraved Jesus understood Herod to be.

Having no interest in the case, Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate, who had been his enemy until that day. We do not know the issue that separated them. But their mutual deference restored their strained relationship. Herod and Pilate pronounced Jesus innocent four times. Yet Pilate said he would be punished. Some commentators believe the punishment to be a scourging that was so intense it caused some men to die. This is the approach taken by Mel Gibson in The Passion of the Christ. Others take this to be a light beating and a warning to those accused who are found innocent that they should take very seriously the accusations made against them.

Application

It is striking that Jesus chose not to speak to Herod, who was, after all, the one who beheaded Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist. Were Herod and Pilate (and the chief priests for that matter) beyond salvation? Neither Pilate nor Herod found Jesus guilty of any charges brought against him, and yet they treated him with such contempt. When treated with contempt by Paul the Apostle, Jesus did not remain silent but confronted him on the road to Emmaus. Consider the difference between these three men—Paul, Pilate, and Herod—and why Jesus chose to speak to one and leave the other two alone.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, you soften my heart and grow your fruit in me. You are the seal that I belong to Jesus, and you convict me when I sin that I may repent and return to the Lord. Thank you for all that you do in my life.