Luke 23:22
And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τρίτον
the third time
G5154
τρίτον
the third time
Strong's:
G5154
Word #:
3 of 21
third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
5 of 21
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,
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 21
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
Τί
what
G5101
Τί
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
7 of 21
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
γὰρ
Why
G1063
γὰρ
Why
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
κακὸν
evil
G2556
κακὸν
evil
Strong's:
G2556
Word #:
9 of 21
worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas g4190 properly refers to effects), i.e., (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious
ἐποίησεν
done
G4160
ἐποίησεν
done
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
10 of 21
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
οὗτος
he
G3778
οὗτος
he
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
11 of 21
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
οὐδὲν
no
G3762
οὐδὲν
no
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
12 of 21
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
θανάτου
of death
G2288
θανάτου
of death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
14 of 21
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 21
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
παιδεύσας
I will
G3811
παιδεύσας
I will
Strong's:
G3811
Word #:
18 of 21
to train up a child, i.e., educate, or (by implication), discipline (by punishment)
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
19 of 21
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
Historical Context
Pilate's threefold appeal represents extraordinary effort for a Roman governor dealing with a subject people. Typically, Roman authority was swift and absolute. His repeated attempts suggest genuine unease—whether from his wife's dream (Matthew 27:19), superstitious fear of Jesus's claims, or concern about condemning an obviously innocent man. Yet political expediency would ultimately override judicial integrity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Pilate's threefold declaration of innocence magnify the substitutionary nature of Christ's death?
- What does Pilate's question 'What evil hath he done?' reveal about the basis of Jesus's qualification to be our sin-bearer?
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Analysis & Commentary
And he said unto them the third time—Pilate's threefold appeal mirrors Peter's threefold denial (22:61) and anticipates Jesus's threefold question to Peter after resurrection (John 21:15-17). His question, Why, what evil hath he done? (τί γὰρ κακὸν ἐποίησεν οὗτος; ti gar kakon epoiēsen houtos), demands specific wrongdoing—'What evil did this one do?' The Greek kakon means 'evil,' 'wicked,' 'harmful.' Pilate's third declaration, I have found no cause of death in him (οὐδὲν αἴτιον θανάτου εὗρον ἐν αὐτῷ, ouden aition thanatou heuron en autō), is his final legal verdict: no capital offense exists.
Yet despite this triple testimony to innocence, Pilate capitulates: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. His logic remains perverse—punishing the innocent to appease the guilty. This threefold declaration establishes beyond doubt that Jesus died, not for his crimes, but for ours. The innocent bore what the guilty deserved. Pilate's question 'What evil hath he done?' echoes through history with one answer: none—'he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth' (Isaiah 53:9).