231 The whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting the nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
He answered him, “So you say.” 4 Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” 5 But they insisted, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place.”
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 23:1-5
Commentary on Luke 23:1-5
(Read Luke 23:1-5)
Pilate well understood the difference between armed forces and our Lord's followers. But instead of being softened by Pilate's declaration of his innocence, and considering whether they were not bringing the guilt of innocent blood upon themselves, the Jews were the more angry. The Lord brings his designs to a glorious end, even by means of those who follow the devices of their own hearts. Thus all parties joined, so as to prove the innocence of Jesus, who was the atoning sacrifice for our sins.