King James Version

What Does Luke 23:15 Mean?

Luke 23:15 in the King James Version says “No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. — study this verse from Luke chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Luke 23:15 · KJV


Context

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.

17

(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him—Pilate invokes Herod's examination as corroborating evidence of innocence. The phrase nothing worthy of death is done unto him (οὐδὲν ἄξιον θανάτου ἐστὶν πεπραγμένον αὐτῷ, ouden axion thanatou estin pepragmenon autō) employs the perfect passive participle pepragmenon—'has been done' with ongoing results. Pilate declares no capital crime exists in Jesus's record—neither Herod nor himself found anything deserving execution.

This dual testimony (Pilate and Herod) fulfills the Deuteronomic requirement: 'at the mouth of two witnesses...shall the matter be established' (Deuteronomy 19:15). Ironically, two hostile witnesses establish Jesus's innocence, while the Sanhedrin's false witnesses failed to establish guilt (Mark 14:56-59). The phrase axios thanatou (worthy of death) echoes Roman legal language and appears in Paul's defense (Acts 25:11, 25, 26:31)—Luke consistently demonstrates Christianity's innocence before Roman law.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Herod Antipas's concurrence with Pilate's verdict carried political weight. Though subordinate to Rome, Herod governed Galilee with significant autonomy and knew Jesus's ministry firsthand. His sending Jesus back to Pilate without sentencing effectively constituted acquittal—he found no basis for execution. This collaboration would soon cement their friendship (v. 12), united in their treatment of Christ.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the double testimony of Pilate and Herod to Jesus's innocence intensify the guilt of those who demanded his death?
  2. What does it mean that Jesus was found worthy of death by false religious accusers but innocent by pagan political authorities?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
ἀλλ'1 of 16

No

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

οὐδὲ2 of 16

nor yet

G3761

not however, i.e., neither, nor, not even

Ἡρῴδης3 of 16

Herod

G2264

heroic; herod, the name of four jewish kings

ἀνέπεμψα4 of 16

I sent

G375

to send up or back

γὰρ5 of 16

for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ὑμᾶς6 of 16

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

πρὸς7 of 16

to

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,

αὐτῷ·8 of 16

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

καὶ9 of 16

and

G2532

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

ἰδού,10 of 16

lo

G2400

used as imperative lo!

οὐδὲν11 of 16

nothing

G3762

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

ἄξιον12 of 16

worthy

G514

deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise)

θανάτου13 of 16

of death

G2288

(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)

ἐστὶν14 of 16

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

πεπραγμένον15 of 16

done

G4238

to "practise", i.e., perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from g4160, which properly refers to a single act); by implication, to execute,

αὐτῷ·16 of 16

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 23:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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