Luke 23:6
New International Version
On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean.

New Living Translation
“Oh, is he a Galilean?” Pilate asked.

English Standard Version
When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.

Berean Standard Bible
When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean.

Berean Literal Bible
And Pilate having heard, asked whether the man is a Galilean,

King James Bible
When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.

New King James Version
When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean.

New American Standard Bible
Now when Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.

NASB 1995
When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.

NASB 1977
But when Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now when Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.

Amplified Bible
When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.

Christian Standard Bible
When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean.

American Standard Version
But when Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man were a Galilæan.

Contemporary English Version
When Pilate heard this, he asked, "Is this man from Galilee?"

English Revised Version
But when Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Pilate heard that, he asked if the man was from Galilee.

Good News Translation
When Pilate heard this, he asked, "Is this man a Galilean?"

International Standard Version
When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.

Majority Standard Bible
When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the man was a Galilean.

NET Bible
Now when Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.

New Heart English Bible
But when Pilate heard it, he asked if the man was a Galilean.

Webster's Bible Translation
When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.

Weymouth New Testament
On hearing this, Pilate inquired, "Is this man a Galilaean?"

World English Bible
But when Pilate heard Galilee mentioned, he asked if the man was a Galilean.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Pilate having heard of Galilee, questioned if the Man is a Galilean,

Berean Literal Bible
And Pilate having heard, asked whether the man is a Galilean,

Young's Literal Translation
And Pilate having heard of Galilee, questioned if the man is a Galilean,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Pilate having heard of Galilee, asked if the man is a Galilean.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But Pilate hearing Galilee, asked if the man were of Galilee?

Catholic Public Domain Version
But Pilate, upon hearing Galilee, asked if the man were of Galilee.

New American Bible
On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean;

New Revised Standard Version
When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When Pilate heard the name Galilee, he asked if the man was a Galilean.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But when Pilate heard the name of Galilee, he asked if the man were a Galilean.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the man was a Galilean.

Godbey New Testament
And Pilate hearing, asked if He is a Galilean man.

Haweis New Testament
When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilean?

Mace New Testament
when Pilate heard of Galilee, he ask'd whether the man were a Galilean.

Weymouth New Testament
On hearing this, Pilate inquired, "Is this man a Galilaean?"

Worrell New Testament
But Pilate, hearing it, asked if the Man were a Galilaean.

Worsley New Testament
Now when Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked, if the man were a Galilean:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Before Herod
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.” 6When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7And learning that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself was in Jerusalem at that time.…

Cross References
Matthew 27:11-14
Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, who questioned Him: “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. / And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer. / Then Pilate asked Him, “Do You not hear how many charges they are bringing against You?” ...

Mark 15:1-5
Early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin devised a plan. They bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate. / So Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. / And the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things. ...

John 18:28-38
Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover. / So Pilate went out to them and asked, “What accusation are you bringing against this man?” / “If He were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed Him over to you.” ...

Acts 4:27
In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed.

Acts 13:1
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul.

Matthew 2:22
But when he learned that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee,

John 19:9-11
and he went back into the Praetorium. “Where are You from?” he asked. But Jesus gave no answer. / So Pilate said to Him, “Do You refuse to speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You and authority to crucify You?” / Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”

Acts 12:1
About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church.

Acts 23:34
The governor read the letter and asked what province Paul was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia,

1 Peter 2:23
When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

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.

Psalm 2:1-2
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One:

Psalm 22:6-8
But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. / All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads: / “He trusts in the LORD, let the LORD deliver him; let the LORD rescue him, since He delights in him.”

Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

Micah 5:2
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.


Treasury of Scripture

When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.

a Galilean.

Luke 13:1
There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

Acts 5:37
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

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Demanded Galilaean Galilean Galilee Heard Hearing Inquired Mentioned Pilate Questioned Whether Words
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Demanded Galilaean Galilean Galilee Heard Hearing Inquired Mentioned Pilate Questioned Whether Words
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.














On hearing this
This phrase indicates Pilate's reaction to the information presented to him. The Greek word for "hearing" is "ἀκούσας" (akousas), which implies not just the act of hearing but also understanding and processing the information. In the context of Roman governance, Pilate's role required him to be astute and discerning, especially in matters that could affect public order. This moment reflects the tension and gravity of the situation, as Pilate is confronted with the decision regarding Jesus, a figure who has stirred significant public interest and controversy.

Pilate asked
Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, is a central figure in the trial of Jesus. The Greek word "ἐπηρώτησεν" (eperōtēsen) for "asked" suggests a formal inquiry, indicating Pilate's legal responsibility to investigate the charges against Jesus. Historically, Pilate is known for his complex relationship with the Jewish leaders and his often pragmatic, albeit sometimes ruthless, approach to governance. His questioning here is part of the legal proceedings, reflecting the Roman judicial process and Pilate's attempt to navigate the political and social pressures of the time.

if the man was a Galilean
The identification of Jesus as a Galilean is significant both politically and theologically. Galilee was a region known for its distinct cultural and political identity, often seen as less sophisticated compared to Judea. The Greek term "Γαλιλαῖος" (Galilaios) denotes someone from Galilee, which in the context of Roman jurisdiction, could imply a different legal handling. Pilate's inquiry into Jesus' origin is not merely geographical but also strategic, as it opens the possibility of transferring jurisdiction to Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee. This reflects Pilate's attempt to deflect responsibility and avoid making a potentially volatile decision. Theologically, Jesus' Galilean identity fulfills prophetic expectations, as Galilee was a region associated with messianic hope and the light to the Gentiles, as foretold in Isaiah 9:1-2.

(6) When Pilate heard of Galilee.--The incident that follows is peculiar to St. Luke, and may have been obtained by him from Manaen or other persons connected with the Herodian household with whom he appears to have come in contact. (See Introduction.) It is obvious that Pilate catches at the word in the hope of shifting on another the responsibility of con demning One whom he believed to be innocent and had learnt to respect, while yet he had not the courage to acquit Him.

Verses 6, 7. - When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the Man were a Galilaean. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. Now, Pilate dreaded lest these Jews should make his clemency towards the Prisoner a ground of accusation against him at Rome. Pilate had enemies in the capital. His once powerful patron Sejanus had just fallen. His own past, too, he was well aware, would not bear examination; so, moved by his cowardly fears, he refrained from releasing Jesus in accordance with what his heart told him was just and right; and yet he could not bring himself to condemn One to whom he was drawn by an unknown feeling of reverence and respect. But hearing that Jesus was accused among other things of stirring up sedition in Galilee, he thought he would shift the responsibility of acquitting or condemning, on to the shoulders of Herod, in whose jurisdiction Galilee lay. Herod was in Jerusalem just then, because of the Passover Feast. His usual residence was Capernaum.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
When
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.

heard [this],
ἀκούσας (akousas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

he asked
ἐπηρώτησεν (epērōtēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1905: To interrogate, question, demand of. From epi and erotao; to ask for, i.e. Inquire, seek.

if
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

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

was
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

a Galilean.
Γαλιλαῖός (Galilaios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1057: A Galilean, an inhabitant of Galilee. From Galilaia; Galilean or belonging to Galilea.


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NT Gospels: Luke 23:6 But when Pilate heard Galilee mentioned he (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 23:5
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