13 And Pilate having called together the chief priests, and the rulers, and the people, 14 said unto them, 'Ye brought to me this man as perverting the people, and lo, I before you having examined, found in this man no fault in those things ye bring forward against him; 15 no, nor yet Herod, for I sent you back unto him, and lo, nothing worthy of death is having been done by him; 16 having chastised, therefore, I will release him,' 17 for it was necessary for him to release to them one at every feast, 18 and they cried out—the whole multitude—saying, 'Away with this one, and release to us Barabbas,' 19 who had been, because of a certain sedition made in the city, and murder, cast into prison. 20 Pilate again then—wishing to release Jesus—called to them, 21 but they were calling out, saying, 'Crucify, crucify him.' 22 And he a third time said unto them, 'Why, what evil did he? no cause of death did I find in him; having chastised him, then, I will release 'him'.' 23 And they were pressing with loud voices asking him to be crucified, and their voices, and those of the chief priests, were prevailing, 24 and Pilate gave judgment for their request being done, 25 and he released him who because of sedition and murder hath been cast into the prison, whom they were asking, and Jesus he gave up to their will.
26 And as they led him away, having taken hold on Simon, a certain Cyrenian, coming from the field, they put on him the cross, to bear 'it' behind Jesus.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 23:13-26
Commentary on Luke 23:13-25
(Read Luke 23:13-25)
The fear of man brings many into this snare, that they will do an unjust thing, against their consciences, rather than get into trouble. Pilate declares Jesus innocent, and has a mind to release him; yet, to please the people, he would punish him as an evil-doer. If no fault be found in him, why chastise him? Pilate yielded at length; he had not courage to go against so strong a stream. He delivered Jesus to their will, to be crucified.
Commentary on Luke 23:26-31
(Read Luke 23:26-31)
We have here the blessed Jesus, the Lamb of God, led as a lamb to the slaughter, to the sacrifice. Though many reproached and reviled him, yet some pitied him. But the death of Christ was his victory and triumph over his enemies: it was our deliverance, the purchase of eternal life for us. Therefore weep not for him, but let us weep for our own sins, and the sins of our children, which caused his death; and weep for fear of the miseries we shall bring upon ourselves, if we slight his love, and reject his grace. If God delivered him up to such sufferings as these, because he was made a sacrifice for sin, what will he do with sinners themselves, who make themselves a dry tree, a corrupt and wicked generation, and good for nothing! The bitter sufferings of our Lord Jesus should make us stand in awe of the justice of God. The best saints, compared with Christ, are dry trees; if he suffer, why may not they expect to suffer? And what then shall the damnation of sinners be! Even the sufferings of Christ preach terror to obstinate transgressors.