Jesus on Trial: A King Misunderstood (Luke 23:1–12)
In Luke 23:1–12, we see Jesus standing before powerful men who hold His fate in their hands—or so they think. This part of the story takes place after Jesus has been arrested. The religious leaders want Him gone, but they need the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, to make it official.
A Trial Full of Accusations
The religious leaders bring Jesus to Pilate and accuse Him of things like stirring up trouble, refusing to pay taxes, and claiming to be a king. They know these charges will catch Pilate’s attention, especially the part about Jesus being a king. In Roman times, that could sound like a threat to Caesar’s authority.
But when Pilate questions Jesus, he’s not convinced. Jesus isn’t acting like a rebellious leader or someone trying to start a revolution. Pilate says, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” In other words, Jesus is innocent.
Passing the Problem Along
Then Pilate hears that Jesus is from Galilee. That’s not his territory—it belongs to Herod Antipas, another ruler under Roman authority. Pilate quickly sends Jesus to Herod, happy to pass the problem along.
Herod is curious. He’s heard about Jesus and hopes to see a miracle. But Jesus doesn’t perform or even answer his questions. The religious leaders are there too, still accusing Jesus loudly. In the end, Herod mocks Jesus by dressing Him in a fancy robe, like a pretend king, and sends Him back to Pilate.
What This Tells Us
This passage shows how Jesus was misunderstood and mistreated. Both Pilate and Herod saw no reason to punish Him, but neither stood up for what was right. Instead, they passed the responsibility back and forth like a political game. Jesus, though innocent, was caught in the middle.
It’s a reminder that truth can be ignored when people care more about power and popularity than doing what’s right. And it shows the calm strength of Jesus. Even when He was falsely accused and mocked, He didn’t fight back. He chose silence and peace, knowing the bigger plan of God was unfolding.
Final Thought
Jesus wasn’t the kind of king people expected. He didn’t come with armies or crowns but with love, truth, and a willingness to suffer for others. Luke 23:1–12 invites us to think about what kind of king we follow—and whether we have the courage to stand for what’s right, even when it’s hard.
Luke 23:1-12 (WEB)
23:1 The whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting the nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”3 Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”He answered him, “So you say.”4 Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”5 But they insisted, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place.”6 But when Pilate heard Galilee mentioned, he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 When he found out that he was in Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard many things about him. He hoped to see some miracle done by him. 9 He questioned him with many words, but he gave no answers. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him. 11 Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him. Dressing him in luxurious clothing, they sent him back to Pilate. 12 Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before that they were enemies with each other.