They
shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!”
Luke 23 [22.] He said to them the third time, “Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.”
Luke 23:21-22
Luke 23 [17.] Now he had to release one prisoner to them at the feast. But they all cried out together, saying, “Away with this man! Release to us Barabbas!”— one who was thrown into prison for a certain revolt in the city, and for murder.
Luke 23 [20.] Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus, but they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!”
Luke 23 [22.] He said to them the third time, “Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.” But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. Their voices and the voices of the chief priests prevailed. Pilate decreed that what they asked for should be done. He released him who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus up to their will.
Meaning:
This passage occurs during the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, where the crowd is demanding His crucifixion despite Pilate’s repeated assertions that Jesus has done nothing deserving death. Pilate, although recognizing Jesus' innocence, is under immense pressure from the religious leaders and the crowd. He attempts to reason with them, but the mob’s cries to “Crucify Him!” grow louder and more insistent, ultimately leading to Jesus' crucifixion.
- The Pressure on Pilate
The trial before Pilate reveals much about human nature and the dynamics of power. Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, holds the authority to either release Jesus or sentence Him to death. However, Pilate finds himself in a difficult position. He knows that Jesus is innocent—he has stated this three times (Luke 23:4, 14, 22)—but he also fears the consequences of going against the will of the crowd and the Jewish leaders.
The religious leaders had stirred up the crowd to demand Jesus’ crucifixion, using their influence to turn public opinion against Him. Pilate, knowing that Jesus had committed no crime, suggests that he would chastise Him (whip or flog Him) and then release Him. Yet, this compromise doesn’t satisfy the crowd, and they continue to demand His death. The intensity of their voices ultimately prevails over Pilate’s judgment.
- Pilate's Dilemma
Pilate’s repeated question, "Why? What evil has this man done?" shows his internal conflict. He recognizes that Jesus has committed no crime worthy of death, and he seems genuinely perplexed by the crowd’s insistence on such a severe punishment. Pilate’s reluctance to condemn Jesus is notable; he tries multiple times to release Him, offering alternatives such as chastisement, but each attempt is met with more forceful cries for crucifixion.
This raises a significant issue for Pilate: does he stand by his judgment and release an innocent man, or does he give in to the demands of the crowd to maintain peace and order? Ultimately, Pilate succumbs to the crowd’s will, despite knowing that it is unjust. This decision highlights the danger of yielding to pressure rather than standing up for what is right. Pilate’s moral failure here demonstrates how fear of public opinion and political consequences can lead people to make tragic decisions.
- The Power of the Crowd
The crowd’s role in this passage cannot be overlooked. Their cries for Jesus' crucifixion become louder and more insistent with each passing moment. They had been manipulated by the religious leaders, who sought Jesus’ death out of envy and fear of losing their authority (Matthew 27:18). The crowd, easily swayed by these leaders, abandons justice in favor of violence.
This scene demonstrates how collective pressure can override truth and justice. The crowd was not concerned with the facts of Jesus’ innocence. Their demand for crucifixion was rooted in emotion, manipulation, and mob mentality. This mob dynamic is often a reflection of human behavior—how easily we can be swept along by the opinions of others, especially when under pressure.
The tragic irony here is that the same crowds who had hailed Jesus as King only days earlier during His triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19:37-38) were now demanding His execution. This sudden shift in public opinion reveals the fickleness of human hearts and how quickly people can turn against what is good and righteous when led astray by others.
- The Injustice of It All
One of the most striking aspects of this passage is the glaring injustice of it all. Jesus was innocent—Pilate, who had no personal interest in Jesus, could see that clearly. Yet, the very people Jesus came to save are the ones calling for His death. The crowd’s rejection of Jesus is a reflection of humanity’s broader rejection of God’s truth. As Isaiah 53:3 prophesies, "He was despised and rejected by men."
Jesus’ trial and crucifixion are the ultimate examples of injustice. He, who was without sin, was condemned as a sinner. This injustice, however, was part of God’s redemptive plan. Through Jesus’ death, the innocent One bore the penalty of sin for all humanity, fulfilling what was written in Isaiah 53:5: "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."
- The Cross and God's Plan
Despite the injustice of the moment, we know that Jesus’ crucifixion was not simply a tragic mistake—it was part of God’s sovereign plan for the salvation of the world. Acts 2:23 explains that Jesus was "delivered up by the definite plan and foreknowledge of God," even though lawless men carried out the act. What seemed like a victory for the forces of evil was, in fact, the greatest act of love and grace ever displayed.
Jesus’ willingness to endure this injustice and go to the cross is a powerful demonstration of His love for humanity. He could have defended Himself. He could have called down legions of angels to rescue Him (Matthew 26:53). But He chose to remain silent and submit to the Father’s will, knowing that His death would bring about the redemption of all who believe in Him.
Application for Us
The Temptation to Please the Crowd: Pilate’s failure to stand up for what is right challenges us to examine how we respond to pressure. Are we willing to stand for truth and justice even when it’s unpopular or inconvenient? Or do we, like Pilate, go along with the crowd to maintain our own comfort or status? Galatians 1:10 reminds us: "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."
The Power of Influence: The crowd in this passage was manipulated by the religious leaders, which serves as a warning about the power of influence. It’s crucial that we be discerning about who we allow to shape our opinions and actions. Are we following the crowd, or are we following Christ? Romans 12:2 tells us not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds.
The Injustice of the Cross: Jesus’ crucifixion reminds us that sometimes, the righteous suffer while the wicked seem to prevail. But even in the midst of injustice, God’s plans are being fulfilled. Jesus’ death was the ultimate injustice, yet it was also the means by which God provided salvation for the world. This gives us hope that even in our own lives, when we face injustice or suffering, God can work through those circumstances for His greater purposes (Romans 8:28).
Conclusion: Luke 23:21-23 presents a dramatic and sobering moment in the trial of Jesus. Despite Pilate’s repeated assertions of Jesus’ innocence, the crowd’s urgent and loud voices calling for crucifixion ultimately prevail. This passage illustrates the destructive power of mob mentality and the dangers of yielding to pressure rather than standing up for truth and justice.
At the same time, it points us to the profound mystery of the cross—where an innocent man was condemned to die, not because He had done anything wrong, but because He chose to bear the sins of the world. Jesus’ death was not a failure of justice; it was the fulfillment of God’s plan to redeem humanity through His Son. In this moment of intense injustice, we see the greatest act of love and grace unfold for all who would believe in Him.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible