Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.

LUKE 23:4KJV
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Luke 23:4 (KJV)

What does Luke 23:4 mean?

Luke 23:4 records Pontius Pilate telling the chief priests and the gathered people that he cannot find any fault or wrongdoing in Jesus. Pilate is publicly declaring that, in his judgment, Jesus is not guilty of any crime deserving punishment.

In this scene, Pilate, the Roman governor, is addressing the Jewish religious leaders and the crowd during Jesus’ trial. Pilate’s statement comes after questioning Jesus and reflects his official position as a judge. The verse highlights that, despite the accusations brought by the religious authorities, the Roman authority sees no legal basis for condemning Jesus.

The Greek behind Luke 23:4

  • ἁμαρτία (hamartia, G158) is translated here as "fault" and often means "sin" or "wrongdoing." Pilate is saying he finds no moral or legal charge against Jesus, not just a minor mistake.
  • εὑρίσκω (heuriskō, G2147), translated as "find," means to discover or determine after investigation. This suggests Pilate has actively examined the case and reached a considered conclusion.
  • λαός (laos, G3793), meaning "people," refers to the general crowd, not just the leaders. Pilate’s declaration is made in front of everyone present, not only the authorities.

Why Luke 23:4 matters

  • Luke 23:4 clarifies that the Roman governor, who had the legal authority to judge, found no grounds for the charges against Jesus, which is important for understanding the fairness of the trial.
  • The verse emphasizes the contrast between the accusations of the religious leaders and the judgment of the Roman official, highlighting the innocence of Jesus in the eyes of civil authority.
  • This moment sets the stage for the events that follow, showing that Jesus’ condemnation was not based on proven guilt but on other pressures and motivations.

Where else these words appear

“fault” Greek G158 · used in 4 verses

  • 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:
  • Luke 23:22 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.
  • 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.

“Pilate” Greek G4091 · used in 53 verses

  • Matthew 27:2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
  • Mark 15:44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
  • John 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

“this” Greek G5129 · used in 87 verses

  • Matthew 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
  • John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

“priests” Greek G749 · used in 120 verses

  • Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
  • Mark 14:66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
  • John 19:21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.