And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

LUKE 23:11KJV
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Luke 23:11 (KJV)

What does Luke 23:11 mean?

Luke 23:11 describes how Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt, mocking him and dressing him in an impressive robe before sending him back to Pilate. The verse shows that Herod did not take Jesus’ claims seriously and used the situation to ridicule him.

In this scene, Jesus has been sent to Herod Antipas by Pontius Pilate, since Jesus was a Galilean and under Herod’s jurisdiction. Herod, after questioning Jesus and receiving no answers, decides to make a spectacle of him instead of passing judgment. The act of dressing Jesus in a “gorgeous robe” was meant to mock the idea that Jesus claimed to be a king, turning the situation into a cruel joke before returning him to Pilate for further judgment.

The Greek behind Luke 23:11

  • The word “set him at nought” comes from ἐξουθενέω (exoutheneō), which means to treat as nothing or to utterly despise. This shows the depth of contempt Herod and his soldiers had for Jesus, not just mocking but completely dismissing his importance.
  • The word “mocked” is ἐμπαίζω (empaizō), meaning to ridicule or make fun of. The Greek here carries the sense of open, public humiliation.
  • The phrase “gorgeous robe” uses λαμπρός (lampros) for “gorgeous,” which often means bright, splendid, or shining, and ἐσθής (esthēs) for “robe,” meaning a fine garment. The choice of words suggests the robe was meant to exaggerate and mock the idea of Jesus as a king, not to honor him.

Why Luke 23:11 matters

  • Luke 23:11 clears up that Herod did not find Jesus guilty of any crime but instead chose to ridicule him, highlighting the injustice and mockery Jesus faced before his crucifixion.
  • The verse emphasizes the rejection and humiliation Jesus endured from both Jewish and Roman authorities, connecting to the larger theme of his suffering.
  • By mentioning the “gorgeous robe,” Luke underlines how Jesus’ claim to kingship was twisted into a reason for mockery, which adds depth to the irony of the events leading to the crucifixion.

Where else these words appear

“sent” Greek G375 · used in 4 verses

  • Luke 23:7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
  • Luke 23:15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
  • Philemon 1:12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

“robe” Greek G2066 · used in 6 verses

  • Acts 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
  • Acts 10:30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
  • James 2:2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

“war” Greek G4753 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 22:7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
  • Acts 23:27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.
  • Revelation 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

“gorgeous” Greek G2986 · used in 9 verses

  • Acts 10:30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
  • James 2:3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
  • Revelation 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.