Luke 23:2

23:2 They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding us to pay the tribute tax to Caesar and claiming that he himself is Christ, a king.”

Luke 23:5

23:5 But they persisted in saying, “He incites the people by teaching throughout all Judea. It started in Galilee and ended up here!” 10 

Luke 23:19

23:19 (This 11  was a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection 12  started in the city, and for murder.) 13 

Luke 23:25

23:25 He released the man they asked for, who had been thrown in prison for insurrection and murder. But he handed Jesus over 14  to their will. 15 


tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

sn They began to accuse him. There were three charges: (1) disturbing Jewish peace; (2) fomenting rebellion through advocating not paying taxes (a lie – 20:20-26); and (3) claiming to be a political threat to Rome, by claiming to be a king, an allusion to Jesus’ messianic claims. The second and third charges were a direct challenge to Roman authority. Pilate would be forced to do something about them.

tn On the use of the term διαστρέφω (diastrefw) here, see L&N 31.71 and 88.264.

tn Grk “and forbidding.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated to suggest to the English reader that this and the following charge are specifics, while the previous charge was a summary one. See the note on the word “misleading” earlier in this verse.

tn This was a “poll tax.” L&N 57.182 states this was “a payment made by the people of one nation to another, with the implication that this is a symbol of submission and dependence – ‘tribute tax.’”

tn Or “to the emperor” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor).

tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”

tn Or “were adamant.” For “persisted in saying,” see L&N 68.71.

sn He incites the people. The Jewish leadership claimed that Jesus was a political threat and had to be stopped. By reiterating this charge of stirring up rebellion, they pressured Pilate to act, or be accused of overlooking political threats to Rome.

10 tn Grk “beginning from Galilee until here.”

11 tn Grk “who” (a continuation of the previous sentence).

12 sn Ironically, what Jesus was alleged to have done, started an insurrection, this man really did.

13 sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

14 tn Or “delivered up.”

15 sn He handed Jesus over to their will. Here is where Luke places the major blame for Jesus’ death. It lies with the Jewish nation, especially the leadership, though in Acts 4:24-27 he will bring in the opposition of Herod, Pilate, and all people.