Luke 23:22

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].'

Luke 23:22 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 23:22

And he said unto them the third time
After Christ had been sent back to him from Herod; for he had declared before he had sent him to him, that he found no fault in him, ( John 18:38 ) .

Why, what evil hath he done?
what capital crime has he committed? is he guilty of murder? or sedition? or blasphemy? or robbery, and theft? or any other enormous a crime?

I have found no cause of death in him;
why he should be put to death at all; and much less to this shameful and painful death of the cross, which was the punishment of slaves, and of the vilest of men, which they were desirous of:

I will therefore chastise him, and let him go;
this he said, not as if he was determined to do it, whether they liked it, or not; but as signifying what he willed, or chose, and hoped they would be contented with, that he should be scourged, or beaten, and dismissed, as he at first proposed.

Luke 23:22 In-Context

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,