Luke 23:6

Jesus before Herod

6 Hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean.

Luke 23:6 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 23:6

When Pilate heard of Galilee
"The name of Galilee", as the Syriac and Persic versions read when that was mentioned, he asked;
the Ethiopic version says, the "Galilaeans"; some of which might be present, being come to the feast of the passover, and were very proper persons to inquire of: whether the man were a Galilean;
so Jesus was reputed to be: for though he was born at Bethlehem of Judah, he was brought up at Nazareth in Galilee, where he spent the greater part of his private life, and his public ministry was chiefly exercised in those parts; hence the Jews thought, that he came out of Galilee, and was a Galilean, ( John 7:41 John 7:52 ) and so he used to be called by Julian the apostate; and it seems, that the answer returned to Pilate was, that he was a Galilean; and so the Persic version adds, and they said, yes; for it follows,

Luke 23:6 In-Context

4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no legal basis for action against this man.

5 But they objected strenuously, saying, "He agitates the people with his teaching throughout Judea—starting from Galilee all the way here."

6 Hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean.

7 When he learned that Jesus was from Herod's district, Pilate sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

8 Herod was very glad to see Jesus, for he had heard about Jesus and had wanted to see him for quite some time. He was hoping to see Jesus perform some sign.