What does Luke 23:15 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Pilate also announced that Herod"s verdict agreed with his own. Herod was a recognized authority on Jewish affairs that Pilate"s hearers probably respected more than they did Pilate since Herod was Semitic. Both men agreed that Jesus had done nothing worthy of death. [source][source]

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Context Summary

Herod's moral nature had become almost extinguished by a long course of immorality and cruelty. While the Baptist lived, he had "done many things" and heard John gladly; but when the beheading of this faithful witness on his own orders had taken place, the royal sinner went headlong to ruin. He treated this incident with flippant levity. The gorgeous raiment, being an imitation of the royal apparel of the Jewish kings, may have suggested the inscription affixed to the cross.

By giving the people the alternative of Christ or Barabbas, Pilate expected that they would certainly choose the former. To his dismay, this second effort to salve his conscience without endangering his reputation failed. So he drifted and sold his soul for power. Each of us has to choose between Christ and Barabbas, between the self-surrender of the Cross and brutal selfishness. Barabbas must have stolen to the Cross in the afternoon and said, as he stood there: "He hangs where I should have been. I am saved by His death." [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 23

¹  Jesus is accused before Pilate, and sent to Herod
⁸  Herod mocks him
¹²  Herod and Pilate become friends
¹³  Barabbas is desired of the people,
²⁴  and is released by Pilate, and Jesus is given to be crucified
²⁶  He tells the women, that lament him, the destruction of Jerusalem;
³⁴  prays for his enemies
³⁹  Two criminals are crucified with him
⁴⁶  His death
⁵⁰  His burial