Luke 23:7
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπιγνοὺς
as soon as he knew
G1921
ἐπιγνοὺς
as soon as he knew
Strong's:
G1921
Word #:
2 of 21
to know upon some mark, i.e., recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
3 of 21
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐκ
unto
G1537
ἐκ
unto
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
4 of 21
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐξουσίας
jurisdiction
G1849
ἐξουσίας
jurisdiction
Strong's:
G1849
Word #:
6 of 21
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
ἐστὶν
he belonged
G2076
ἐστὶν
he belonged
Strong's:
G2076
Word #:
8 of 21
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 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
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
11 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,
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 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
Ἱεροσολύμοις
Jerusalem
G2414
Ἱεροσολύμοις
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2414
Word #:
17 of 21
hierosolyma (i.e., jerushalaim), the capitol of palestine
ταύταις
G3778
ταύταις
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
19 of 21
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
Cross References
Luke 3:1Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,Luke 13:31The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.
Historical Context
Herod Antipas (son of Herod the Great) ruled Galilee and Perea from 4 BC to AD 39. His presence in Jerusalem during Passover was customary—the tetrarch would attend major Jewish festivals both for religious observance and political vigilance during periods of potential unrest. His palace in Jerusalem served as his residence during these visits, making him readily accessible to Pilate.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the collaboration of Pilate and Herod fulfill Psalm 2's prophecy about earthly powers conspiring against God's Anointed?
- What does Jesus's silence before earthly 'authorities' teach us about the true nature of power and submission?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He sent him to Herod—Pilate's transfer of Jesus to Herod Antipas is unique to Luke's Gospel, demonstrating Luke's careful historical research (1:3). The phrase belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction (ἐκ τῆς ἐξουσίας Ἡρῴδου, ek tēs exousias Hērōdou) uses exousia, meaning 'authority' or 'domain'—the same word Jesus used for his own authority to lay down his life (John 10:18). The irony is stark: earthly powers debate jurisdiction over the One who possesses all authority (Matthew 28:18).
Herod's presence in Jerusalem at that time was providential—both rulers would unite in examining Christ, fulfilling Psalm 2:1-2: 'The kings of the earth set themselves...against the LORD, and against his anointed.' What Pilate intended as political expedience became divine orchestration, gathering all earthly powers to witness their Creator's voluntary submission to death. Luke alone records this detail, emphasizing how Gentile and Jewish authorities together condemned the innocent Christ.