King James Version

What Does Luke 23:22 Mean?

Luke 23:22 in the King James Version says “And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefo...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.”

Luke 23:22 · KJV

Context

20

Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.

21

But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

22

And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

23

And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.

24

And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. gave: or, assented

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said unto them the third time—Pilate's threefold appeal mirrors Peter's threefold denial (22:61) and anticipates Jesus's threefold question to Peter after resurrection (John 21:15-17). His question, Why, what evil hath he done? (τί γὰρ κακὸν ἐποίησεν οὗτος; ti gar kakon epoiēsen houtos), demands specific wrongdoing—'What evil did this one do?' The Greek kakon means 'evil,' 'wicked,' 'harmful.' Pilate's third declaration, I have found no cause of death in him (οὐδὲν αἴτιον θανάτου εὗρον ἐν αὐτῷ, ouden aition thanatou heuron en autō), is his final legal verdict: no capital offense exists.

Yet despite this triple testimony to innocence, Pilate capitulates: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. His logic remains perverse—punishing the innocent to appease the guilty. This threefold declaration establishes beyond doubt that Jesus died, not for his crimes, but for ours. The innocent bore what the guilty deserved. Pilate's question 'What evil hath he done?' echoes through history with one answer: none—'he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth' (Isaiah 53:9).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Pilate's threefold appeal represents extraordinary effort for a Roman governor dealing with a subject people. Typically, Roman authority was swift and absolute. His repeated attempts suggest genuine unease—whether from his wife's dream (Matthew 27:19), superstitious fear of Jesus's claims, or concern about condemning an obviously innocent man. Yet political expediency would ultimately override judicial integrity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Pilate's threefold declaration of innocence magnify the substitutionary nature of Christ's death?
  2. What does Pilate's question 'What evil hath he done?' reveal about the basis of Jesus's qualification to be our sin-bearer?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
ὁ1 of 21
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 21

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

τρίτον3 of 21

“the third time”

G5154

third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly

εἶπεν4 of 21

“he said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

πρὸς5 of 21

“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,

αὐτὸν6 of 21

“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

Τί7 of 21

“what”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

γὰρ8 of 21

“Why”

G1063

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

κακὸν9 of 21

“evil”

G2556

worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas g4190 properly refers to effects), i.e., (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious

ἐποίησεν10 of 21

“done”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

οὗτος11 of 21

“he”

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

οὐδὲν12 of 21

“no”

G3762

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

αἴτιον13 of 21

“cause”

G158

a reason or crime (like g0156)

θανάτου14 of 21

“of death”

G2288

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

εὗρον15 of 21

“I have found”

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)

ἐν16 of 21

“in”

G1722

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

αὐτὸν17 of 21

“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

παιδεύσας18 of 21

“I will”

G3811

to train up a child, i.e., educate, or (by implication), discipline (by punishment)

οὖν19 of 21

“therefore”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

αὐτὸν20 of 21

“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

ἀπολύσω21 of 21

“and let him go”

G630

to free fully, i.e., (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce

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 23:22 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 23:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 23:14Luke 23:161 Peter 3:181 Peter 1:19Luke 23:20

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