Luke 23:14
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:
Original Language Analysis
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
2 of 29
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,
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 29
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
Προσηνέγκατέ
Ye have brought
G4374
Προσηνέγκατέ
Ye have brought
Strong's:
G4374
Word #:
4 of 29
to bear towards, i.e., lead to, tender (especially to god), treat
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
9 of 29
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἀποστρέφοντα
one that perverteth
G654
ἀποστρέφοντα
one that perverteth
Strong's:
G654
Word #:
10 of 29
to turn away or back (literally or figuratively)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαόν
the people
G2992
λαόν
the people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
12 of 29
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀνακρίνας
having examined
G350
ἀνακρίνας
having examined
Strong's:
G350
Word #:
18 of 29
properly, to scrutinize, i.e., (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine
οὐδὲν
no
G3762
οὐδὲν
no
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
19 of 29
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὧν
G3739
ὧν
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
26 of 29
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
κατηγορεῖτε
ye accuse
G2723
κατηγορεῖτε
ye accuse
Strong's:
G2723
Word #:
27 of 29
to be a plaintiff, i.e., to charge with some offence
Cross References
Daniel 6:4Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.Hebrews 7:26For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Historical Context
Roman legal procedure required the accuser to specify charges (inscriptio) and the magistrate to investigate (cognitio). Pilate's public statement 'before you' (enōpion hymōn) made the Jewish leaders witnesses to his findings. His emphasis on having found 'no fault touching those things whereof ye accuse him' follows proper legal protocol—acquittal must address the specific charges alleged.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Pilate's detailed acquittal of Jesus magnify both Christ's innocence and the injustice of what follows?
- What does Pilate's recognition of innocence yet eventual capitulation teach us about the insufficiency of human justice apart from moral courage?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people—Pilate recounts the formal charge: apostrephonta ton laon (turning the people away, perverting the nation). His phrase I, having examined him before you (ἀνακρίνας ἐνώπιον ὑμῶν, anakrinas enōpion hymōn) emphasizes thorough judicial investigation—anakrinas means 'examined closely,' 'interrogated,' the technical term for legal inquiry. His verdict: I have found no fault in this man (οὐθὲν εὗρον...αἴτιον, outhen heuron...aition)—'nothing,' 'not one basis for accusation.'
Pilate's precision is critical: touching those things whereof ye accuse him—regarding the specific charges brought, Jesus is innocent. This is Pilate's second public declaration (see v. 4), establishing legal precedent for Jesus's acquittal. Yet Pilate's political calculation will override his judicial verdict, demonstrating how human justice fails when divorced from divine truth. The irony is profound: Jesus indeed 'perverts' in the sense of turning people from darkness to light (Acts 26:18), from Satan's power to God—but this is salvation, not sedition.