Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Luke 23:7

ἀνέπεμψεν. The word used is technical—the Lat. remisit—and means the remission of a question to a higher court (Acts 25:21; comp. Philemon 1:11; Jos. B. J. II. 20, § 5). St Luke alone preserves this interesting incident. He seems to have had special information about Herod’s court. Pilate’s object may have been (1) to get rid of the responsibility—or at least to divide it—by ascertaining Herod’s opinion; (2) to do a cheap act of courtesy which might soothe the irritation which Herod, as well as the Jews, felt against him. Vespasian paid a similar compliment to Agrippa. Jos. B. J. III. 10, § 10.

ὄντα καὶ αὐτόν. ‘Also,’ i.e. as well as Pilate. Herod lived at Tiberias, and Pilate at Caesarea. During the immense assemblages of the Jewish feasts the two rulers had come to Jerusalem, Pilate to maintain order, Herod to gain popularity among his subjects by a decent semblance of conformity to the national religion. At Jerusalem Herod occupied the old palace of the Asmonaean princes (Jos. B. J. II. 16; Antt. XX. 8, § 11).

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Luke 23:7

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