King James Version

What Does Luke 23:14 Mean?

Luke 23:14 in the King James Version says “Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him... — study this verse from Luke chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:

Luke 23:14 · KJV


Context

12

And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together : for before they were at enmity between themselves.

13

And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

14

Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:

15

No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.

16

I will therefore chastise him, and release him.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people—Pilate recounts the formal charge: apostrephonta ton laon (turning the people away, perverting the nation). His phrase I, having examined him before you (ἀνακρίνας ἐνώπιον ὑμῶν, anakrinas enōpion hymōn) emphasizes thorough judicial investigation—anakrinas means 'examined closely,' 'interrogated,' the technical term for legal inquiry. His verdict: I have found no fault in this man (οὐθὲν εὗρον...αἴτιον, outhen heuron...aition)—'nothing,' 'not one basis for accusation.'

Pilate's precision is critical: touching those things whereof ye accuse him—regarding the specific charges brought, Jesus is innocent. This is Pilate's second public declaration (see v. 4), establishing legal precedent for Jesus's acquittal. Yet Pilate's political calculation will override his judicial verdict, demonstrating how human justice fails when divorced from divine truth. The irony is profound: Jesus indeed 'perverts' in the sense of turning people from darkness to light (Acts 26:18), from Satan's power to God—but this is salvation, not sedition.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Roman legal procedure required the accuser to specify charges (inscriptio) and the magistrate to investigate (cognitio). Pilate's public statement 'before you' (enōpion hymōn) made the Jewish leaders witnesses to his findings. His emphasis on having found 'no fault touching those things whereof ye accuse him' follows proper legal protocol—acquittal must address the specific charges alleged.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Pilate's detailed acquittal of Jesus magnify both Christ's innocence and the injustice of what follows?
  2. What does Pilate's recognition of innocence yet eventual capitulation teach us about the insufficiency of human justice apart from moral courage?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
εἶπεν1 of 29

Said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

πρὸς2 of 29

unto

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

αὐτοῦ3 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Προσηνέγκατέ4 of 29

Ye have brought

G4374

to bear towards, i.e., lead to, tender (especially to god), treat

μοι5 of 29

unto me

G3427

to me

τὸν6 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνθρώπῳ7 of 29

man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

τοῦτον8 of 29

this

G5126

this (person, as objective of verb or preposition)

ὡς9 of 29

as

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

ἀποστρέφοντα10 of 29

one that perverteth

G654

to turn away or back (literally or figuratively)

τὸν11 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαόν12 of 29

the people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

καὶ13 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἰδού,14 of 29

behold

G2400

used as imperative lo!

ἐγὼ15 of 29

I

G1473

i, me

ἐνώπιον16 of 29

him before

G1799

in the face of (literally or figuratively)

ὑμῶν17 of 29

you

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ἀνακρίνας18 of 29

having examined

G350

properly, to scrutinize, i.e., (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine

οὐδὲν19 of 29

no

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

εὗρον20 of 29

have found

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)

ἐν21 of 29

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ22 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνθρώπῳ23 of 29

man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

τούτῳ24 of 29

this

G5129

to (in, with or by) this (person or thing)

αἴτιον25 of 29

fault

G158

a reason or crime (like g0156)

ὧν26 of 29
G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

κατηγορεῖτε27 of 29

ye accuse

G2723

to be a plaintiff, i.e., to charge with some offence

κατ'28 of 29

touching those things whereof

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

αὐτοῦ29 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 23:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 23:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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