Jesus Before Pilate and Herod

The Changed Charges

Last week we started chapter with chapter 23. Jesus stood before Pilate, we read (vv.1-7) and gleaned from the passage, but did not break down the passage. I think best I read the passage again just to refresh us.

Luke 23:1–2 “Then the whole body of them got up and brought Him before Pilate. And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.””

Luke 23:3–4 “So Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He answered him and said, “It is as you say.” Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.””

Luke 23:5–7 “But they kept on insisting, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as this place.” When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem at that time.”

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From a Jewish trial to a Roman trial there is a shift of charges for the original charges will mean nothing in a Roman setting.

The whole body of them, the whole council, the elders, the chief priests, and scribes (22:66) were all in unison together. It was calculated and coordinated.

The accusation is politically tailored

Religious charge was blasphemy; claiming to be the Son of God (Lk22)

Political charge: Sedition and tax rebellion; Misleading the nation, forbidding the paying of taxes and claiming to be a King like Caesar. Though in Jesus ministry he told the people to give to Caesar what is Caesars and to God what is Gods’. They are taking the truth and bend it just enough to make it dangerous.

They put forth Jesus as a political threat

Christ a King- designed to alert Rome

The world often reshapes truth to fits its agenda.

Biblical conviction is labeled intolerance

Moral clarity is called hatred

Faithfulness is framed as extremism

Faithfulness to Christ can be misrepresented and we need to stand up, stand strong and be people of integrity and not depend on public approval but on the truth of God’s word.

The Composure of Christ

You are standing trial accused of something you did not do, but you know this is what you were put here to do, what do you do? Let’s see what Jesus compose is, and what He does.

Pilate asks Jesus a direct question: “Are You the King of the Jews?”

Jesus’ restrained answer: “It is as you say.” No argument, no explanation, no counter-attack, no outrage, Why? Because

Jesus is not defending His reputation — He is fulfilling His mission.

Think back to Luke 22:37 “37 “For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, ‘And He was numbered with transgressors’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.”” - - - He knew this moment was not out of control, it was on schedule

When your identity is secure in Christ, you do not have to win every argument. Silence can demonstrate strength. We trust God to vindicate truth.

An application: When your identity is secure in Christ, you do not panic under pressure. Jesus knew who He was, He knew His purpose and He knew what the Father was doing. Sometimes the most powerful testimony is restrained confidence. Not every accusation requires a response; not every argument must be won; for God is fully capable of vindicating truth.

The Declaration of Innocence

This is not Jesus declaration, this is Pilates declaration of Jesus innocence.

A Roman governor finds no guilt

Pilate represents the most powerful empire in the world —publically declares Jesus innocent.

This fulfills the prophesy of Isaiah 53:9

“9 His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.”

Political authority recognizes innocence

Yet justice will still fail.

Being innocent does not guarantee immediate justice, vindication. Earthly systems are imperfect for we are imperfect people. Our ultimate vindication is from God.

Earthly systems fail, political systems fail, religious systems fail. But, divine justice does not fait. Our vindication is not ultimately from culture— it is from Christ and Christ alone. Consider Romans 8:33–34 “33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.” - - - - That is ultimate security!

Escalation and Jurisdiction

Most of us know the story, we know how it goes, but at this point Pilate has found no guilt and wants to set him free, but the accusers do not.

The accusers intensify pressure

“They kept on insisting.” When their lies did not work they grow louder.

Volume increases when evidence is weak. This a human nature.

Galilee becomes strategic

Pilate sees an opportunity to shift responsibility to Herod since he is over Jurisdiction of Galilee and he is in Jerusalem at this time. From a human perspective this is ideal shift the responsibility to someone else, wash your hands of this situation, avoid the conflict.

God’s sovereign orchestration

What appears political maneuvering is divine fulfillment

Even when leaders act from self-interest, God is working. God’s redemptive plan cannot be stopped by human schemes. We rest in His sovereignty when circumstances seem unfair.

Lets make this persona.

You may never stand before a governor. But you may be misrepresented at work; misunderstood in your family; mischaracterized in your community, or even criticized for biblical convictions.

Just remember Jesus was Innocent, Truthful, Sinless and yet condemned. So when we suffer unjustly, we are not walking a foreign path we are walking the footsteps of Jesus.

Peter said 1Pt2:23

1 Peter 2:23 NASB95

23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;

That is the model He set. Not passivity but trust.

He stood innocent yet condemned—so that we, though guilty, could stand forgiven.

Because Jesus remained faithful under false charges, we can remain faithful under cultural pressure.

Because He entrusted Himself to the Father, we can entrust ourselves to God.

Discussion questions to consider

What does Jesus’ calm under these false accusations teach us about responding to mistreatment?

Why do you think the leaders changed their accusation from blasphemy to political rebellion? What does this revel abut their motives?

How should Christians respond when they are falsely accused or misrepresented in today’s culture?

Conclusion/Take-away

In this passage (Lk23:1-7) we have see the beginning of the trial of Jesus before the Roman authorities, where the false accusations are brought against Him. This is false accusations meet with divine innocence, setting the stage for Jesus perfect sacrificial death on the cross.

Take-aways

When misrepresented, guard your composure—your identity is secure in Christ.

When Justice sees delayed, remember divine vindication is certain.

When truth is distorted, remain faithful —God’s sovereign purposes are never thwarted.

For your entertainment “Jesus”

Years ago there was a mockery done of the trial, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus called Jesus Christ Superstar A Rock Opera it was a play, then it was a movie and in the part where Jesus comes to meet Herod, Herod invites the people to come in to the show that never ends, like Jesus is an entertainer.

Have you ever been excited to meet someone famous or important —only to realize they weren’t there for the right reasons? Maybe they wanted entertainment, not truth. Maybe they wanted a performance, not a relationship.

Think about this have you ever seen someone treat something sacred like it was a show?

A wedding treated like a photo-op

Worship treated like a performance or concert

Truth treated like a debate to win

Lk23:8-12, we see a man who was very excited to see Jesus . But his excitement had nothing to do with repentance or faith. It was curiosity. It was spectacle. It was entertainment. As for Jesus, He says nothing.

Big Idea: When Jesus is treated as a spectacle rather than Savior, He remains silent —and that silence reveals the hardness of the heart.

Our Passage

Luke 23:8–9 NASB95

Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. And he questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing.

Luke 23:10–11 NASB95

And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, accusing Him vehemently. And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate.

Luke 23:12 NASB95

Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other.

What do you see, notice, what sticks out to you in this passage?

Why was Herod “very glad” to see Jesus (v.8)?

He had wanted to see Him for long time and hoped to see a sign performed by Him

What does Herod do in (v.9)? And how does Jesus respond?

Questions Jesus at some length, and Jesus answered him nothing

What do the chief priests and scribes do (v.10)?

They stood accusing Him vehemently

Then, how do Herod and his soldiers treat Jesus (v.11) ?

They treated Him with contempt and they mocked Him, and then sent Him back to Pilate

What outcome do you notice mentioned in (v.12)?

Herod and Pilate became friends that day, though previously they had been enemies.

Curiosity without Commitment

Luke 23:8 “8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by him.”

Maybe you are wondering which Herod this is. This is not Herod the Great who tried to have baby Jesus killed. Nor is it Herod Agrippa I that dealt with Paul, this is Herod Antipas, the same ruler that imprisoned and executed John the Baptist.

HEROD’S LONG-STANDING CURIOSITY

He had been wanting to see Him for a long time.

He had heard reports (ref: Lk9:7-9)

Luke 9:7–9 “7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some that John has been raised from the dead, 8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and others that some prophet of ancient times had risen. 9 And Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he was wanting to see him.”

Herod was very glad to see Jesus, not because he seeks truth, but because he wants entertainment.

He hopes for a miracle on demand. Herod treats Jesus like a performer, not a King.

Application: It’s possible to be excited about Jesus for the wrong reasons—what He can do for us rather than who He is.

Think about do we approach Jesus for transformation or just fascinations? Do we come to worship expecting to be changed, or entertained? - - - - there is a spiritual danger: Curiosity can masquerade as interest in Christ while resisting surrender to Christ.

Today we live in a culture of spectators —sports spectators, streaming spectators, social media spectators. The danger is that Christianity can become something we watch rather than something we live.

Is it possible to be around Jesus without actually following Him?

Silence in the Face of a Hardened Heart

Luke 23:9 “9 So he questioned him at considerable length, but he answered nothing to him.”

HEROD QUESTIONED HIM AT LENGTH

Not with sincerity. Likely probing, testing, perhaps even mocking.

JESUS ANSWERED HIM NOTHING

Contrast with earlier His responses to Pilate. Silence is not weakness — it is judgment. Herod has already rejected God’s word through John the Baptist.

Also Jesus’ silence is not random. It fulfills prophesy. Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.” - - - - Even in this moment of mockery, Jesus is fulfilling God’s redemptive plan.

Application: Persistent rejection of God’s truth can lead to a hardened heart where God’s voice grows silent.

There is a danger in hearing truth repeatedly without responding.

A sobering thought: There comes a point when God stops answering the insincere.

Contempt, Hostility, Mockery of the King

Luke 23:10–11 “10 And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers also treated him with contempt, and after mocking him and dressing him in glistening clothing, he sent him back to Pilate.”

RELIGIOUS LEADERS ACCUSE VEHEMENTLY

Religious hostility and political manipulation

HEROD AND SOLDIERS MOCK JESUS

Treated Him with contempt

“Dressed Him in a gorgeous robe” —likely mocking His kingship

The Irony: They mock Him as King while standing before the true King.

Application

The world often mocks what it does not understand

Faithfulness to christ may invite ridicule.

Christ endured contempt without retaliation.

Think about this, what does this teach us about responding to mockery? How did Jesus respond? HE DID NOT AT ALL

Political Unity around Rejection

Luke 23:12 “Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other.”

HEROD AND PILATE RECONCILED

United not around truth, but around rejecting Jesus

JESUS BECOMES THE POINT OF THEIR ALLIANCE

Even unbelievers can unite in opposition to Christ

This is a sobering reality: Jesus unites hearts— but he also exposes them.

Application: The world may united against Christ. We must decide where we stand when cultural alliances shift.

Discussion/reflection questions

Where do we see “Herod-like curiosity” in our culture, or even in the church?

Why do you think Jesus remained silent before Herod but answered Pilate?

What are modern ways people treat Jesus as entertainment rather than Lord?

Conclusion

Illustration: A museum visitor can stand inches away from a priceless masterpiece and walk away unchanged. The problem is not the painting — it’s the viewer. In the same way, Herod stood in the presence of the Son of God and still saw only a show.”

Herod was excited to see Jesus

But he did not want repentance. He did not want truth. He did not want surrender. He wanted a show.

Jesus gave him silence.

In this passage we have seen three heart conditions.

Curious but uncommitted

Hardened and unresponsive

Mocking and dismissive.

The tragedy is not that Herod never saw a miracle. The tragedy is that he stood face to face with the Son of God —and walked away unchanged.

Major Take-away

“Jesus is not a spectacle to observe but a Savior to obey.”

Curiosity is not discipleship

Interest is not surrender

Exposure to truth is not the same as obedience to truth.

The question for us this morning:

When we encounter Jesus —- do we seek a sign? Or do we submit to the King of Kings the Lord of Lords?