Pilate's Second Attempt To Clear Jesus And His Final Abject Surrender (23:13-25).
Having received the prisoner back with the confirmation from Herod that he found no fault in Jesus (Herod was not about to admit that the prisoner had refused to speak to him) Pilate made a further attempt to argue his way out of his position. He should, of course, have simply declared Jesus innocent and let Him go, and his very prevarication would thus have encourage Jesus' accusers. They knew now that if they continued in what they were doing they would get their way, for Pilate had revealed that he was not willing to simply put their accusations to one side. Thus they pressed on to achieve the verdict that they required.
Analysis.
a Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said unto them, “You brought to me this man, as one who perverts the people, and behold, I, having examined Him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things of which you accuse Him, no, nor yet Herod. For he sent Him back to us, and behold, nothing worthy of death has been done by Him. I will therefore severely beat Him, and release Him” (Luke 23:13-17).
b But they cried out all together, saying, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas (one who for a certain insurrection made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison) (Luke 23:18-19). Luke 23:20
c And Pilate spoke to them again, desiring to release Jesus (Luke 23:20).
d But they shouted, saying, “Crucify, crucify Him” (Luke 23:21).
e And he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has this man done? I have found no cause of death in Him. I will therefore flog Him and release Him” (Luke 23:22).
d But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that He might be crucified. And their voices prevailed (Luke 23:23).
c And Pilate gave sentence that what they asked for should be done (Luke 23:24).
b And he released him who for insurrection and murder had been cast into prison, whom they asked for (Luke 23:25 a).
a But Jesus he delivered up to their will (Luke 23:25 b).
Note that in ‘a' Pilate declares Jesus doubly cleared, and yet in the parallel he hands Him over to His accusers. In ‘b' they call for one guilty of insurrection and murder to be released, and in the parallel the one guilty of insurrection and murder is released. In ‘c' Pilate desires to release Jesus (because he is innocent) and in the parallel he gives sentence that what the Jewish leaders asked for should be done. (Note how, as in ‘a', the blame is laid squarely on the Jewish leaders). In ‘d' the call comes for Him to be crucified, and in the parallel the call is repeated. And centrally in ‘e' Pilate declares Jesus innocent. This can be compared with the central point in the previous analysis.