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Atomic Bible
Luke 23:1-5·~1 min

Jesus before Pilate

The council leads Jesus to Pilate and accuses him of subverting the nation, opposing tribute to Caesar, and claiming kingship. Pilate asks whether he is King of the Jews, then says he finds no basis for a charge. The leaders answer with more insistence about his teaching and influence from Galilee onward.

T1hen the whole council rose and led Jesus away to Pilate. 2And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.” 3So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 4Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” 5But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people all over Judea with His teaching. He began in Galilee and has come all the way here.”

Section summaryThe council brings Jesus to Pilate and reshapes their accusation in political terms. Pilate questions him, finds no basis for a charge, and hears the leaders insist that Jesus has stirred trouble from Galilee to Judea.
Role in the chapterThis opening scene sets Roman authority beside Jewish accusation and shows the first clear finding of innocence in the chapter.