And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

LUKE 23:22KJV
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Luke 23:22 (KJV)

What does Luke 23:22 mean?

Luke 23:22 shows Pilate, the Roman governor, telling the crowd for the third time that he finds no reason to sentence Jesus to death and instead proposes to punish Jesus and then release him. Pilate is questioning what wrong Jesus has done and insists there is no valid charge deserving execution.

In this scene, Pilate is speaking directly to the people demanding Jesus’ crucifixion. He is trying to reason with them, pointing out that he has found no evil (serious wrongdoing) in Jesus. Pilate offers to "chastise" (meaning to punish or whip) Jesus as a compromise, hoping this will satisfy the crowd and allow him to let Jesus go free.

The Greek behind Luke 23:22

  • κακόν (kakon, G2556) — This word means "evil" or "wrong." Pilate is asking what actual wrongdoing Jesus has committed, highlighting that no real crime has been found.
  • θάνατος (thanatos, G2288) — This means "death." Pilate is saying he has found no cause or reason for a death sentence in Jesus’ actions.
  • παιδεύσω (paideusō, G3811) — This means "to chastise" or "to punish." Pilate is not declaring Jesus innocent but is offering a lesser punishment, hoping to appease the crowd without resorting to execution.

Why Luke 23:22 matters

  • Luke 23:22 clarifies that Pilate did not see Jesus as deserving death, which highlights the injustice of what is about to happen.
  • The verse shows Pilate’s repeated attempts to avoid condemning Jesus, underlining the pressure he faced from the crowd and religious leaders.
  • This moment connects to the larger narrative of Jesus’ trial, showing the tension between Roman authority and the demands of the people, and sets up the events leading to the crucifixion.

Where else these words appear

“cause” Greek G158 · used in 4 verses

  • Luke 23:4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.
  • 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 19:40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

“will” Greek G3811 · used in 13 verses

  • Luke 23:16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him.
  • 2 Corinthians 6:9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
  • Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

“evil” Greek G2556 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 21:41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
  • Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
  • Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

“time” Greek G5154 · used in 49 verses

  • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
  • Luke 20:12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.