Luke 23:4
New International Version
Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

New Living Translation
Pilate turned to the leading priests and to the crowd and said, “I find nothing wrong with this man!”

English Standard Version
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

Berean Literal Bible
And Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no guilt in this man."

King James Bible
Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.

New King James Version
So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.”

New American Standard Bible
But Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no grounds for charges in the case of this man.”

NASB 1995
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.”

NASB 1977
And Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no guilt in this man.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.”

Amplified Bible
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this Man.”

Christian Standard Bible
Pilate then told the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no grounds for charging this man.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Pilate then told the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no grounds for charging this man.”

American Standard Version
And Pilate said unto the chief priests and the multitudes, I find no fault in this man.

Contemporary English Version
Pilate told the chief priests and the crowd, "I don't find him guilty of anything."

English Revised Version
And Pilate said unto the chief priests and the multitudes, I find no fault in this man.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, "I can't find this man guilty of any crime."

Good News Translation
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no reason to condemn this man."

International Standard Version
Then Pilate told the high priests and crowds, "I do not find anything chargeable in this man."

Majority Standard Bible
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, ?I find no basis for a charge against this man.?

NET Bible
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no basis for an accusation against this man."

New Heart English Bible
Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no basis for a charge against this man."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said Pilate to the chief priests, and to the people, I find no fault in this man.

Weymouth New Testament
Pilate said to the High Priests and to the crowd, "I can find no crime in this man."

World English Bible
Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitude, “I find no fault in this Man”;

Berean Literal Bible
And Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no guilt in this man."

Young's Literal Translation
And Pilate said unto the chief priests, and the multitude, 'I find no fault in this man;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, I find nothing blameworthy in this man.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Pilate said to the chief priests and to the multitudes: I find no cause in this man.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Pilate said to the leaders of the priests and to the crowds, “I find no case against this man.”

New American Bible
Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, “I find this man not guilty.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Pilate said to the high priests and the people, I cannot find any fault against this man.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And Pilate said to the Chief Priests and to the crowd, “I find no fault concerning this man.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Pilate said to the chief priests and to the multitudes: I find no fault in this man.

Godbey New Testament
And Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, I find nothing criminal in this man.

Haweis New Testament
Then said Pilate unto the chief priests and the multitudes, I find nothing culpable in this man.

Mace New Testament
at last Pilate said to the chief priests, and to the people, I don't find any crime in this man.

Weymouth New Testament
Pilate said to the High Priests and to the crowd, "I can find no crime in this man."

Worrell New Testament
And Pilate said to the high priests and to the multitudes, "I find no fault in This Man."

Worsley New Testament
But Pilate said to the chief priests, and to the people, I find nothing criminal in this man.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Before Pilate
3So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 4Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” 5But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people all over Judea with His teaching. He began in Galilee and has come all the way here.”…

Cross References
John 18:38
“What is truth?” Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him.

Matthew 27:24
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”

Mark 15:14
“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”

Acts 13:28
And though they found no ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed.

John 19:4-6
Once again Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” / When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” / As soon as the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” “You take Him and crucify Him,” Pilate replied, “for I find no basis for a charge against Him.”

Isaiah 53:9
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.

1 Peter 2:22
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.

1 John 3:5
But you know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin.

Psalm 69:4
Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me—my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.

Psalm 94:21
They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.

Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

Jeremiah 26:16
Then the officials and all the people told the priests and prophets, “This man is not worthy of death, for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God!”

Daniel 6:4
Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.


Treasury of Scripture

Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.

I find.

Luke 23:14,15
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: …

Matthew 27:19,24
When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him…

Mark 15:14
Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.

Jump to Previous
Announced Basis Charge Chief Crime Crowd Crowds Fault Find Guilt High Multitude Multitudes Opinion Pilate Priests Wrong
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Announced Basis Charge Chief Crime Crowd Crowds Fault Find Guilt High Multitude Multitudes Opinion Pilate Priests Wrong
Luke 23
1. Jesus is accused before Pilate, and sent to Herod.
8. Herod mocks him.
12. Herod and Pilate become friends.
13. Barabbas is desired of the people,
24. and is released by Pilate, and Jesus is given to be crucified.
26. He tells the women, that lament him, the destruction of Jerusalem;
34. prays for his enemies.
39. Two criminals are crucified with him.
46. His death.
50. His burial.














Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds
Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea, a position he held from AD 26 to 36. His role was to maintain order and enforce Roman law. The chief priests were the leading religious authorities in Jerusalem, primarily from the Sadducee sect, who held significant power in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. The crowds likely consisted of various Jewish people gathered in Jerusalem for Passover, a major Jewish festival. Pilate addressing both the religious leaders and the general populace highlights the tension between Roman authority and Jewish leadership, as well as the public nature of Jesus' trial.

“I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
Pilate's declaration of Jesus' innocence is significant, as it underscores the lack of legal grounds for the accusations brought against Him. This statement fulfills the prophecy of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53:9, which speaks of the Messiah being without deceit or violence. Pilate's repeated attempts to release Jesus (as seen in other Gospel accounts) reflect the Roman legal principle of justice, yet his eventual capitulation to the crowd's demands illustrates the political pressures he faced. This moment also typifies Jesus as the innocent Lamb of God, echoing the Passover lamb's symbolism, which was to be without blemish (Exodus 12:5).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Pontius Pilate
The Roman governor of Judea who presided over the trial of Jesus. Known for his role in the crucifixion, Pilate is depicted as a reluctant judge who finds no fault in Jesus.

2. Chief Priests
Jewish religious leaders who were instrumental in bringing Jesus to trial. They were seeking a legal basis to have Jesus executed.

3. The Crowds
The assembly of people present during Jesus' trial. They were influenced by the chief priests and played a role in demanding Jesus' crucifixion.

4. Jesus
The central figure of the New Testament, whose trial and crucifixion are pivotal events in Christian theology. In this verse, He is declared innocent by Pilate.

5. Jerusalem
The city where these events took place, significant in Jewish and Christian history as the site of the Temple and Jesus' crucifixion.
Teaching Points
The Innocence of Christ
Pilate's declaration underscores the sinlessness of Jesus, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah.

The Role of Human Authority
Pilate's struggle with the decision highlights the limitations and moral challenges faced by human authorities.

The Influence of the Crowd
The crowd's role in Jesus' trial serves as a caution against the dangers of mob mentality and the importance of standing for truth.

Prophecy Fulfilled
Jesus' trial and Pilate's declaration fulfill prophecies about the Messiah's innocence and unjust suffering.

Personal Reflection on Justice
Consider how we respond to injustice in our own lives and the lives of others, following Jesus' example of grace under pressure.(4) I find no fault in this man.--The Greek term for "fault" is somewhat more technical than the. English, and is almost equivalent to what we call the "count" of an indictment. It may be noted that, as far as the New Testament is concerned, it is peculiar to St. Luke, in this chapter and in Luke 20:40.

Verse 4. - Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this Man. The Roman was interested in the poor Prisoner; perhaps he grudgingly admired him. He was so different to the members of that hated nation he had been brought into such familar contact with; utterly unselfish, noble with a strange nobility, which was quite unknown to officials and politicians of the school of Pilate; but as regards Rome and its views quite harm. less. The Roman evidently was strongly opposed to harsh measures being dealt out to this dreamy, unpractical, generous Enthusiast, as he deemed him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

Pilate
Πιλᾶτος (Pilatos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4091: Pilate. Of Latin origin; close-pressed, i.e. Firm; Pilatus, a Roman.

said
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

chief priests
ἀρχιερεῖς (archiereis)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 749: High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

crowds,
ὄχλους (ochlous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3793: From a derivative of echo; a throng; by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot.

“I find
εὑρίσκω (heuriskō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.

no
Οὐδὲν (Ouden)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3762: No one, none, nothing.

basis for a charge
αἴτιον (aition)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 159: The cause, author; the culprit, the accused; the crime. From the same as aiteo; causative, i.e. a causer.

against
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

this
τούτῳ (toutō)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

man.”
ἀνθρώπῳ (anthrōpō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.


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