Luke 23:15
No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλ'
No
G235
ἀλλ'
No
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
7 of 16
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,
αὐτῷ·
him
G846
αὐτῷ·
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 16
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὐδὲν
nothing
G3762
οὐδὲν
nothing
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
11 of 16
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ἄξιον
worthy
G514
ἄξιον
worthy
Strong's:
G514
Word #:
12 of 16
deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise)
θανάτου
of death
G2288
θανάτου
of death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
13 of 16
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
Historical Context
Herod Antipas's concurrence with Pilate's verdict carried political weight. Though subordinate to Rome, Herod governed Galilee with significant autonomy and knew Jesus's ministry firsthand. His sending Jesus back to Pilate without sentencing effectively constituted acquittal—he found no basis for execution. This collaboration would soon cement their friendship (v. 12), united in their treatment of Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the double testimony of Pilate and Herod to Jesus's innocence intensify the guilt of those who demanded his death?
- What does it mean that Jesus was found worthy of death by false religious accusers but innocent by pagan political authorities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him—Pilate invokes Herod's examination as corroborating evidence of innocence. The phrase nothing worthy of death is done unto him (οὐδὲν ἄξιον θανάτου ἐστὶν πεπραγμένον αὐτῷ, ouden axion thanatou estin pepragmenon autō) employs the perfect passive participle pepragmenon—'has been done' with ongoing results. Pilate declares no capital crime exists in Jesus's record—neither Herod nor himself found anything deserving execution.
This dual testimony (Pilate and Herod) fulfills the Deuteronomic requirement: 'at the mouth of two witnesses...shall the matter be established' (Deuteronomy 19:15). Ironically, two hostile witnesses establish Jesus's innocence, while the Sanhedrin's false witnesses failed to establish guilt (Mark 14:56-59). The phrase axios thanatou (worthy of death) echoes Roman legal language and appears in Paul's defense (Acts 25:11, 25, 26:31)—Luke consistently demonstrates Christianity's innocence before Roman law.