Luke 23:4-9 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Then said Pilate After having heard his defence. See on Matthew 27:11-14; and Mark 15:2-5. I find no fault in this man I do not find that he either attempts or asserts any thing injurious to Cesar. And they were the more fierce The priests were not disconcerted or abashed by the public declaration, which the governor, in obedience to conscience and truth, made of the prisoner's innocence; for they persisted in their accusations with more vehemence than before, affirming that he had attempted to raise a sedition in Galilee. They probably mentioned Galilee, either to alarm Pilate, the Galileans being notorious for sedition and rebellion; or to influence him, knowing that he was prejudiced against the people of that country. Pilate, hearing of Galilee, asked whether the prisoner came out of that country? and, being informed that he did, he ordered him to be carried away immediately to Herod, who was then in Jerusalem. Perhaps he supposed that the prince, in whose dominions the sedition was said to have been raised, could be a better judge of the affair than he. Moreover, as Herod was a Jew, expert in the religion and customs of his country, the governor imagined, that he might have had influence with the priests to desist. Or, if at their solicitation he should condemn Jesus, Pilate thought to escape the guilt and infamy of putting an innocent person to death. He might also propose to regain Herod's friendship, formerly lost, perhaps by encroaching on his privileges. But whatever was his motive, the king, who had of a long time desired to see Jesus, rejoiced at this opportunity; for he hoped he should have the pleasure of seeing him work some miracle or other. Nevertheless, because Herod had disregarded the admonitions of John the Baptist, and had been guilty of the heinous crime of putting him to death, Jesus, liberal as he was of his miracles to the poor and afflicted, would not work them to gratify the curiosity of a tyrant, nor so much as answered one of his questions, though, Luke 23:9, he proposed many to him, probably concerning the miracles which were reported to have been wrought by him. “In this our Lord followed the rule observed by God in the administration of his moral government. He bestows on men means, opportunities, and assistances, such as, if they improve them properly, will lead them to knowledge, holiness, and happiness. But, these being slighted by men, God, after waiting the determined time, for wise reasons, shuts up from them all the springs of grace, and leaves them hopeless of that salvation, which they have so long despised.” Macknight.