Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
Parallel translations
- WEB Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
- KJV Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.
- NKJV So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.”
- NASB But Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no grounds for charges in the case of this Man.”
- NLT Pilate turned to the leading priests and to the crowd and said, “I find nothing wrong with this man!”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Pilate tells the chief priests and crowd he finds no basis for a charge against Jesus. He declares Jesus innocent.
Overview
After questioning, Pilate publicly pronounces that he finds no guilt in Jesus. This first declaration of innocence underscores that Jesus is condemned unjustly. His sinlessness, affirmed even by a pagan judge, fits Him to be the spotless sacrifice for sin.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- John 18:38“What is truth?” Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him.
- Luke 23:14–15and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him.
- 1 Pet 1:19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.
- Heb 7:26Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
- Luke 23:22A third time he said to them, “What evil has this man done? I have found in Him no offense worthy of death. So after I punish Him, I will release Him.”
- 1 Pet 2:22“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”
- Mark 15:14“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”
- John 19:4–6Once again Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.”
- 1 Pet 3:18For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,
- Matt 27:23–24“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”
- Matt 27:19While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.”
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Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 23:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.