231 Then the entire council took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. 2 They began to state their case: "This man has been leading our people astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming he is the Messiah, a king." 3 So Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus replied, "You have said it." 4 Pilate turned to the leading priests and to the crowd and said, "I find nothing wrong with this man!" 5 Then they became insistent. "But he is causing riots by his teaching wherever he goes-all over Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem!"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 23:1-5
Commentary on Luke 23:1-5
(Read Luke 23:1-5)
Pilate well understood the difference between armed forces and our Lord's followers. But instead of being softened by Pilate's declaration of his innocence, and considering whether they were not bringing the guilt of innocent blood upon themselves, the Jews were the more angry. The Lord brings his designs to a glorious end, even by means of those who follow the devices of their own hearts. Thus all parties joined, so as to prove the innocence of Jesus, who was the atoning sacrifice for our sins.