Luke 23:13

Luke 23:13, in plain English

Pilate calls everyone together — the religious leaders, the rulers, and the people — for what he hopes will be his final word on the matter.

Why it's here

Pilate is still trying to find a way to release Jesus without angering the powerful religious leaders. He's about to make one more attempt.

Who's speaking

Luke describes Pilate assembling his audience, showing a governor who wants to do the right thing but lacks the courage to simply do it.

Where it sits in the story

Pilate gathers the whole crowd, perhaps hoping the common people will back him up in releasing Jesus. He's still looking for an easy way to do the right thing — not realizing that sometimes doing right requires standing alone.

The scholarly reading

Pilate synkalesamenos (calls together) the chief priests, archontas (rulers), and laon (people) — reassembling all parties for his verdict. The inclusion of 'the people' suggests Pilate hopes popular support will help him release Jesus.

Language and setting

Pilate's summoning of the people alongside the leaders may have been strategic — the people had been favorable to Jesus, and Pilate might have expected them to support release.

Voice

Luke narrates Pilate's reassembly of all stakeholders for what he intends to be a definitive pronouncement of acquittal.

Significance

Pilate tries once more, this time gathering everyone — leaders and common people alike. His strategy may have been to leverage Jesus' popularity with the crowds to overcome the leaders' hostility. But the crowd dynamics are about to shift disastrously.

11And even Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in a fine robe, they sent Him back to Pilate.

12That day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this time they had been enemies.

13Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,

14and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him.

15Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death.

Read all of Luke 23 — Pilate finds no fault. Herod finds entertainment. The crowd demands blood. And on a cross between two criminals, Jesus forgives.