Luke 23:20

20 Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus.

Luke 23:20 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 23:20

Pilate therefore willing to release Jesus
Being more and more convinced of his innocence; and still seeing more clearly into the wickedness, malice, and envy of his accusers; and having received a message from his wife:

spake again to them;
putting it again to them, which he should release; asking them what he should do with Jesus; plainly signifying his mind, that he thought him innocent, and that it would be right to let him go. The Ethiopic version represents him, saying, "will ye that I save for you, or release to you the Lord Jesus?"

Luke 23:20 In-Context

18 Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!”

19 (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.)

20 Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus.

21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22 For the third time he demanded, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”