Luke 23:1-5

Luke 23:1-5
NL313

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Then the assemblyA roseB as a bodyC

Notes on verse 1a

A “assembly” = plethos. From pletho (to fill, accomplish, supply; to fill to maximum capacity). This is fullness, multitude, great number.
B “rose” = anistemi. From ana (upwards, up, again, back, anew) + histemi (to make to stand, place, set up, establish, appoint, stand by, stand still, stand ready, stand firm, be steadfast). This is to raise up, rise, appear. It is to stand up literally or figuratively. Can also mean to resurrect.
C “body” = hapas. From hama (at once, together with) + pas (all, every, every kind of) OR from a (with) + pas (see above). This is all; every part working together as a unit.

and broughtD Jesus before Pilate.E They beganF to accuseG him,

Notes on verses 1b-2a

D “brought” = ago. This is lead, bring, carry, guide, drive, go.
E “Pilate” = Pilatos. From Latin Pilatus (may mean one who has skill with a javelin); perhaps from pilum (javelin) OR perhaps from pileus (a soft cap made of felt that was brimless and was associated with people who were free people). This is Pilate, which may mean “free person” or “equipped with spears.” See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontius_Pilate & https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Pilate.html
F “began” = archo. This is to rule, begin, have first rank or have political power.
G “accuse” = kategoreo. From kategoros (prosecutor or accuser; used in legal context, but also of Satan); {from kata (down, against, throughout, among) + agoreuo (speaking in the assembly)} OR {from kata (see above) + agora (assembly, forum, marketplace, town square); {from ageiro (to gather)}}. This is to accuse, charge, or prosecute. This is where the word “category” comes from, but it is in the sense of applying logic and offering proof.

saying,H “We foundI this man incitingJ our nation,K

Notes on verse 2b

H “saying” = lego. This is to speak, say, name, call, command. It is generally to convey verbally.
I “found” = heurisko. This is to find, learn, or obtain. It is to discover something, which generally implies a period of searching for it. This is to find in a literal or figurative sense. This is where the word “heuristic” comes from.
J “inciting” = diastrepho. 7x in NT. From dia (through, because of, across, thoroughly) + strepho (to turn, change, turn back, be converted; to turn around completely to take the opposite path or a completely different one); {from trope (turning, shifting, a revolution; figuratively, a variation); from trepo (to turn)}. This is to distort, pervert, to twist something into a different shape than it is meant to be. So, figuratively, it can refer to moral corruption.
K “nation” = ethnos. Probably from etho (a custom or culture). This is people who are united by having similar customs or culture. Generally, it is used to refer to Gentiles. This is a tribe, race, nation, or Gentiles in general. This is where the term “ethnicity” comes from.

forbiddingL us to payM taxesN to CaesarO

Notes on verse 2c

L “forbidding” = koluo. Perhaps from the same as kolazo (to punish, particularly to punish slaves so that they are restricted or chastised); from kolos (docked, dwarf). This is to hinder or prevent, restrain, refuse. It can be prevent, whether through words or actions.
M “pay” = didomi. To give, offer, place, bestow, deliver. This is give in a literal or figurative sense.
N “taxes” = phoros. 5x in NT. From phero (to bear, bring, lead, make known publicly; to carry in a literal or figurative sense).  This is a tax or tribute on an individual or their property rather than telos.
O “Caesar” = Kaisar. From Latin (Caesar); perhaps from Punic caesai (elephant) OR from Latin a cesiis oculis (because of the blue eyes) OR from Latin a caesarie (because of the hair) OR from Latin a caeso matris utero (born by Caesarean section) OR from Latin caedo (to cut). This is Caesar, at first a last name, then taken as a title by Roman emperors. See https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Caesar#Latin

and saying that he himself isP the Messiah,Q a king.”R 

Notes on verse 2d

P “is” = eimi. This is to be, exist.
Q “Messiah” = Christos. From chrio (consecrate by anointing with oil; often done for prophets, priests, or kings). Literally, the anointed one, Christ. The Greek word for Messiah.
R “king” = basileus. Probably from basis (step, hence foot; a pace); from baino (to walk, to go). This is king, emperor, or sovereign.

Then Pilate askedS him,T “Are you the king of the Jews?”U

He answered,V, W “You say so.” 

Notes on verse 3

S “asked” = erotao. From eromai (to ask) OR from ereo (to say, tell, call, speak of). This is asking a question or making an earnest request. It is used between someone with whom the asker is close in some sense. So, they anticipate special consideration for their request.
T {untranslated} = lego. Same as “saying” in v2. See note H above.
U “Jews” = Ioudaios. From Ioudas (Judah, Judas); from Hebrew Yehudah (Judah, son of Jacob, his tribal descendants, a name for the southern kingdom. Literally, it means praised); probably from yadah (to throw one’s hands into the air in a gesture of praise); from yad (hand). This is Jewish, a Jew, or Judea.
V “answered” = apokrinomai. From apo (from, away from) + krino (to judge, decide, think good, condemn, determine, pass judgment, stand trial, sue; judging whether in court or in a private setting; properly, mentally separating or distinguishing an issue – to come to a choice or decision, to judge positively or negatively in seeking what is right or wrong, who is innocent or guilty; can imply trying, condemning, punishing, or avenging). This is to reply or respond, to draw one’s own conclusions, to speak when one is expected to.
W {untranslated} = phemi. From phao (to shine). This is to declare, say, or use contrasts in speaking to shed light on one point of view.

Then Pilate saidX to the chief priestsY and the crowds,Z “I find no basis for an accusationAA against this man.”BB 

Notes on verse 4

X “said” = eiron. This is to speak say, answer, command.
Y “chief priests” = archiereus. Related to “began” in v2. From archo (see note F above) + hiereus (a priest literal or figurative – of any faith); {from hieros (sacred, something sacred, temple, holy, set apart; something consecrated to God or a god)} This is a high or chief priest.
Z “crowds” = ochlos. Perhaps from echo (to have, hold, possess). This is a crowd, the common people, a rabble. Figuratively, it can refer to a riot.
AA “basis for an accusation” = aitios. 5x in NT. From the same as aiteo (to ask, demand, beg, desire). This is the cause of something. So it could refer to someone who begins or originates something – as the source or author. It could also be the accused or culprit as one who caused a crime to happen.
BB “man” = anthropos. Probably from aner (man, male, husband) + ops (eye, face); {from optanomai (to appear, be seen); perhaps from horao (become, seem, appear)}. This is human, humankind. Used for all genders.

But they were insistentCC and said,DD “He stirs upEE the peopleFF

Notes on verse 5a

CC “were insistent” = epischuo. 1x in NT. From epi (on, upon, against, what is fitting) + ischuo (to be strong, healthy and vigorous, able, have power, prevail; strength that engages a resisting force); from ischus (strength, might, power, force, ability; power that engages immediate resistance); {perhaps from is (force) + echo (to have, hold, possess)}. This is to grow stronger, be persistent, insist.
DD “said” = lego. Same as “saying” in v2. See note H above.
EE “stirs up” = anaseio. 2x in NT. From ana (up, again, back, among, anew) + seio (to shake, vibrate; figuratively to agitate or show fear). This is to shake up, move back and forth, or excite.
FF “people” = laos. This is the people or crowd – often used for the chosen people. This is where the word “laity” comes from.

by teachingGG throughout allHH Judea,II from GalileeJJ where he began even to this place.”

Notes on verse 5b

GG “teaching” = didasko. From dao (learn). This is to teach, direct, instruct, or impart knowledge. In the New Testament, this is almost always used for teaching scripture.
HH “all” = holos. This is whole, complete, or entire. It is a state where every member is present and functioning in concert. This is the root of the word “whole.”
II “Judea” = Ioudaia. Related to “Jews” in v3. From Hebrew Yehudah (see note U above). This is Judea, which was a Roman province.
JJ “Galilee” = Galilaia. From Hebrew galil (cylinder, circuit, district); from galal (to roll in a literal or figurative sense, roll away, roll down, wallow, remove, trust). This is Galilee, meaning perhaps region or cylinder.


Image credit: “Jesus Before Pilate and Herod Antipas” by LUMO Project.

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