And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

LUKE 23:2KJV
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Luke 23:2 (KJV)

What does Luke 23:2 mean?

Luke 23:2 describes how the religious leaders accused Jesus before the Roman governor, claiming He was misleading the nation, telling people not to pay taxes to Caesar, and declaring Himself to be Christ, a king. These charges were meant to present Jesus as a political threat to Roman authority.

In this verse, the Jewish leaders are speaking to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, trying to convince him that Jesus is dangerous to Rome. They accuse Jesus of stirring up trouble among the people, opposing Roman taxes, and claiming royal authority by calling Himself the Christ (the Messiah), which in their context meant a king. These accusations are carefully chosen to make Jesus appear as someone who could cause unrest or rebellion against Roman rule.

The Greek behind Luke 23:2

  • διαστρέφοντα (diastrephonta, "perverting"): This word is often understood as "distorting" or "turning away," suggesting that Jesus was being accused of leading the nation astray or corrupting the people’s loyalty.
  • ἀπογορεύοντα (apogoreuonta, "forbidding"): The Greek here carries the sense of actively prohibiting or commanding people not to do something, in this case, paying taxes to Caesar, which would be a direct challenge to Roman authority.
  • Χριστὸν βασιλέα (Christon basilea, "Christ a King"): The phrase links the title "Christ" (meaning "Anointed One" or "Messiah") with the political title "King," emphasizing the claim that Jesus was setting Himself up as a rival to Caesar.

Why Luke 23:2 matters

  • This verse shows how the charges against Jesus were framed to appeal to Roman concerns about rebellion, rather than strictly religious issues.
  • It clarifies that the leaders were not just accusing Jesus of blasphemy (a religious charge), but of sedition—something that would force Pilate to take the accusation seriously.
  • Understanding these accusations helps explain why Pilate, a Roman official, becomes involved in the trial of Jesus, and sets the stage for the political tension in the rest of the chapter.

Where else these words appear

“tribute” Greek G5411 · used in 4 verses

  • Luke 20:22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?
  • Romans 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
  • Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

“perverting” Greek G1294 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
  • Acts 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer(for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
  • Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

“accuse” Greek G2723 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
  • Luke 23:14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
  • Acts 24:19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.

“forbidding” Greek G2967 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
  • Acts 27:43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: