Luke 23:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Do you recognize that the witness of two individuals, one a leader and the other a monarch, is completely valid? He states, "Neither I nor King Herod discovered any wrongdoing in Him." What do the Jews claim about this? The very judges declare that this man is blameless; you, the accusers, have presented no evidence: whom should we trust? It’s astounding how truth prevails! Jesus remains silent, yet his adversaries affirm his righteousness. The Jews shout, but no one supports their claims.

Innocent was sent to Herod and then directed to Pilate. While neither ruler delivers a verdict, they succumb to strange cruelty's demands. Even though Pilate has washed his hands (Matthew 27:24), he cannot cleanse himself of his actions. A judge must not succumb to jealousy or fear, for doing so would lead to a betrayal of the innocent’s blood. Pilate's wife urged him (Matthew 27:19), and divine grace shone through the darkness, revealing the presence of the Divine. Nevertheless, he did not reverse the unjust verdict.

Let us revisit the treatment of our Defender, who was sent back from Herod to Pilate, and consider the sentiments of Pilate and the people of Israel, who awaited His arrival—the very ones He came to redeem, as He stated, ‘I am sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel’ (Matthew 15:24). What is their verdict regarding Him? What belief is held on either side? Here, we hear conflicting opinions about Him. Pilate, a non-Israelite who lacks knowledge of the True God and His law and prophets, recognizes and affirms His innocence: ‘I have not found this man guilty of any of the things of which ye accuse Him; neither Herod also, for I sent Him to him; and nothing was found in Him worthy of death’ (Luke 23:14-15).

The Sanhedrin approached Pilate subsequent to their encounter with Herod. Pilate realized that his cleverness had not aided him; rather, it had placed him in the same predicament as before. He found himself at a loss regarding the haughty Sanhedrin and the issue of Jesus’ blamelessness. He informed the Sanhedrin that, based on his investigation undertaken in their presence, Jesus Christ was innocent, and Herod's judgment also deemed Him undeserving of death. Therefore, Pilate concluded, it was unnecessary for him to punish Jesus and he could instead release Him. The Sanhedrin remained silent, indicating that this was not the response they had anticipated (Luke 23:13-16). Thus, Pilate's inner turmoil between weakness and moral integrity remained unresolved.

Pilate, recognizing the insistence of the chief priests, proposed that Jesus could be released, as it was customary to free a prisoner during Passover. This would allow the verdict from the Sanhedrin to stand while keeping the accused alive. However, to appease their animosity toward Jesus, Pilate ordered Him to be whipped. Yet the crowd, influenced by the chief priests, shouted for Barabbas to be set free instead of Jesus. Conflicted about what decision to make, Pilate received a message from his wife, who had experienced a troubling dream concerning the Righteous One, cautioning him against condemning Him (Matt. 27:19). This further inclined Pilate to consider releasing Jesus. The notion of sentencing an innocent figure to death troubled even him as a Gentile.

When Pilate discovered that Herod had not condemned Jesus but had merely ridiculed Him, he went out to the Gabbatha and addressed the chief priests, the leaders of the people, and the crowd, saying, "You have presented this man to me as one who misleads the nation; and behold, I have examined Him in your presence and found no basis for any of the charges you bring against Him; nor did Herod, for I sent Him to him, and nothing deserving of death was found in Him. Therefore, I will release Him. Yet, if you can show Him guilty of anything deserving punishment, I will chastise Him and then release Him." What kind of judge is that? To declare the accused innocent of the charges brought against him only to appease his malicious accusers by punishing Him?! He attempted, as they say, to satisfy both parties but misjudged the situation: the chief priests, perceiving his uncertainty, intensified their demands; no compromises would quell their thirst for blood, only the crucifixion of Jesus could fulfill their desire.

From the palace of Herod through the streets of the northern section of the Upper City, the Lord Jesus Christ makes His way back to Pilate's Praetorium, and the crowd surrounding Him continues to swell during these two movements. The Gospel narrative makes it clear that the procurator's court was a distinct structure, likely elevated, with a stone platform at its entrance, which the Evangelist refers to as "a place called Lyphostroton, and in Hebrew Gabbatha." This signifies a stone platform and a high place. Out of concern for ritual purity, the Jews refrain from entering the Praetorium itself, instead remaining at the entrance, likely in a large area in front of the Praetorium situated below Gabbatha.