Luk 23:6-12 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 6. Whether he were a Galilean . He asked this because, if he was, he properly belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, who reigned over Galilee.

Luke 23:6-12

Verse 6. Whether he were a Galilean. He asked this because, if he was, he properly belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, who reigned over Galilee. Verse 7. Herod's jurisdiction. Herod Antipas, a son of Herod the Great. This was the same Herod that put John the Baptist to death. Jesus had passed the most of his life in the part of the country where he ruled, and it was therefore considered that he belonged to his jurisdiction--that is, that it belonged to Herod, not to Pilate, to try this cause.

(i) "Herod's jurisdiction" Lk 3:1 Verse 8.

(k) "for he was desirous" Lk 9:9 (l) "because he had heard" Mt 14:1, Mk 6:14 (m) "and he hoped" 2Kgs 5:11 Verse 9.

(n) "but he answered" Ps 38:13,14, 39:1,9, Is 53:7 Verse 10. Vehemently accused him. Violently or unjustly accused him, endeavouring to make it appear that he had been guilty of sedition in Herod's province. Verse 11. Herod with his men of war. With his soldiers, or his bodyguard. It is probable that in travelling he had a guard to attend him constantly.

Set him at nought. Treated him with contempt and ridicule.

A gorgeous robe. A white or shining robe, for this is the meaning of the original. The Roman princes wore purple robes, and Pilate therefore put such a robe on Jesus. The Jewish kings wore a white robe, which was often rendered very shining or gorgeous by much tinsel or silver interwoven. Josephus says that the robe which Agrippa wore was so bright with silver that when the sun shone on it, it so dazzled the eyes that it was difficult to look on it. The Jews and Romans therefore decked him in the manner appropriate to their own country, for purposes of mockery. All this was unlawful and malicious, as there was not the least evidence of his guilt.

Sent him to Pilate. It was by the interchange of these civilities that they were made friends. It would seem that Pilate sent him to Herod as a token of civility and respect, and with a design, perhaps, of putting an end to their quarrel. Herod returned the civility, and it resulted in their reconciliation.

(o) "set him at nought" Is 49:7, 53:3 (p) "gorgeous robe" Jn 19:5 Verse 12. Made friends together, &c. What had been the cause of their quarrel is unknown. It is Commonly supposed that it was Pilate's slaying the Galileans in Jerusalem, as related in Lk 13:1,2. The occasion of their reconciliation seems to have been the civility and respect which Pilate showed to Herod in this case. It was not because they were united in hating Jesus, as is often the case with wicked men, for Pilate was certainly desirous of releasing him, and both considered him merely as an object of ridicule and sport. It is true, however, that wicked men, at variance in other things, are often united in opposing and ridiculing Christ and his followers; and that enmities of long standing are sometimes made up, and the most opposite characters brought together, simply to oppose religion. Comp. Ps 83:5-7.

(q) "friends" Acts 4:27