And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

LUKE 23:5KJV
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Luke 23:5 (KJV)

What does Luke 23:5 mean?

Luke 23:5 describes how the religious leaders became even more insistent, accusing Jesus before Pilate of stirring up the people all over Judea by his teaching, starting in Galilee and continuing up to Jerusalem. The verse shows their determination to portray Jesus as a dangerous influence who causes unrest.

In this scene, the Jewish leaders are speaking to the Roman governor Pilate, trying to convince him that Jesus is a threat to public order. They emphasize that Jesus’ influence is widespread, mentioning both Galilee (where Jesus began his ministry) and the current location, Jerusalem. Their claim is meant to pressure Pilate into taking action against Jesus.

The Greek behind Luke 23:5

  • The word translated "fierce" is ἐπίσχυον (epischyon), which often means "to become more urgent or insistent." This highlights how the leaders are not just repeating their accusation but are escalating their efforts to persuade Pilate.
  • The phrase "stirreth up" comes from ἀνασείει (anaseiei), which means "to incite" or "to agitate." The leaders are accusing Jesus of causing unrest among the people, not just teaching new ideas.
  • "Jewry" is Ἰουδαίαν (Ioudaian), meaning "Judea," but here it refers more broadly to the Jewish regions, showing the leaders want Pilate to see Jesus as a widespread problem, not a local one.
  • "Beginning" is ἀρξάμενος (arxamenos), meaning "having begun." By saying Jesus started in Galilee and continued to "this place" (Jerusalem), the leaders stress the reach and continuity of Jesus’ activity.

Why Luke 23:5 matters

  • Luke 23:5 helps clarify that the charges against Jesus were not just religious but also political, as the leaders try to frame him as a public agitator to a Roman authority.
  • The mention of Galilee is significant because it connects Jesus’ ministry to a region known for political unrest, possibly hoping Pilate would see Jesus as especially dangerous.
  • This verse shows the growing intensity of the opposition to Jesus, setting the stage for Pilate’s further questioning and the events that follow in the trial narrative.

Where else these words appear

“up” Greek G383 · used in 2 verses

  • Mark 15:11 But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.

“Jewry” Greek G2449 · used in 44 verses

  • Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
  • Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;(because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
  • Acts 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

“place” Greek G5602 · used in 56 verses

  • Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
  • Mark 9:1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.
  • Luke 22:38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

“Galilee” Greek G1056 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
  • Mark 1:39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
  • Luke 23:55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.