And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The accusers frame Jesus as a political threat by twisting His claims of kingship into treason against Rome. They cleverly blend His identity as Messiah with the forbidden act of refusing Caesar's taxes, a charge even Pilate found baseless but politically charged.
And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Having been handed over to Pilate after their religious trial, Jesus' accusers now shift their strategy, presenting political charges before the Roman governor. They claim Jesus incites rebellion by misleading the people, forbidding tribute to Caesar, and proclaiming himself a king. This accusation is designed to provoke Pilate, appealing to his concern for Roman authority and order.
How did Jesus' accusers twist His words to sound like a threat to Rome? It wasn't just a misunderstanding; it was a calculated strategy.
The religious leaders knew Jesus hadn't directly told people to stop paying taxes. John's Gospel tells us they had prepared their case, likely knowing Jesus' prior teachings on the matter.
Instead of quoting Him directly, they inferred a dangerous message from His claim to be King. They presented it as a logical consequence: if He's a King, then allegiance to Caesar must be wrong. This was a masterful bit of political manipulation:
This wasn't about theological truth; it was about weaponizing accusations to achieve a political end – Jesus' execution.
Jesus stood accused of treason, sedition, and blasphemy. Why did He remain largely silent? His silence wasn't weakness, but a profound statement.
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It's striking that when faced with these serious accusations, Jesus' initial response was often silence. This wasn't because He had no defense, but because the accusers' motives were so corrupt.
While Jesus did answer specific questions, especially about His kingship (as John records), His overall quietness before the barrage of accusations spoke volumes. It showed a deep trust in God's sovereign plan, even amidst unjust condemnation.
Understand the original words
katēgorein · Greek Verb
To bring a formal legal charge or accusation against someone. In a biblical context, it often refers to bringing an indictment before God or a human magistrate.
diastrephonta · Greek Verb (Participle)
To cause to stray, lead into error, or pervert. In the New Testament, it often refers to leading people away from the truth of God or into religious apostasy.
phoron · Greek Noun
Taxes or compulsory payments given by a subject people to a ruling power. In the New Testament context, it refers to the taxes paid to the Roman Empire.
Christon · Greek Noun
Greek for 'Anointed One.' It refers to the promised Davidic deliverer and king of Israel who fulfills the messianic prophecies of the Old Testament.
basilea · Greek Noun
A title denoting supreme authority and sovereign rule over a people or kingdom. In the Bible, it is applied to human monarchs and ultimately to God and Jesus Christ as the true King of kings.
The accusations leveled against Jesus before Pilate were politically charged, deliberately twisting his claims of kingship into a charge of treason against Rome. This highlights how religious and political power often colluded to silence threats to the established order.
c. AD 26-36
Pontius Pilate Governs Judea
Pontius Pilate served as the Roman prefect (governor) of Judea during Jesus' ministry. His tenure was marked by insensitivity to Jewish customs and a willingness to use force, creating underlying tension.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Growing Opposition
Jesus' teachings and miracles drew large crowds, but also attracted the suspicion and hostility of the Jewish religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees and Sadducees.
c. AD 30-33
The Plot to Arrest Jesus
Following Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and cleansing of the Temple, the chief priests and scribes intensified their efforts to find a way to arrest and execute him, fearing his influence over the people.
Passover Week, AD 30-33
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
Before being brought to Pilate, Jesus was first tried by the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court. They sought charges that would be acceptable to the Roman authorities, focusing on political sedition.
Passover Week, AD 30-33— this verse
Accusations Before Pilate
The Jewish leaders brought Jesus to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, presenting charges of sedition: misleading the nation, forbidding tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be King.
Passover Week, AD 30-33
Jesus Sent to Herod Antipas
Upon learning Jesus was a Galilean, Pilate sent him to Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, who was also in Jerusalem. Herod questioned Jesus but received no response, then sent him back to Pilate.
Passover Week, AD 30-33
Pilate and Herod Reconciled
The shared, dismissive treatment of Jesus by both Pilate and Herod led to a reconciliation between the two rulers, who had previously been at odds.
This passage shows Pilate directly questioning Jesus about kingship, echoing the accusation brought by the Jewish leaders in Luke 23:2 and highlighting the political implications they sought to exploit.
Matthew 22:21This verse records Jesus' famous answer about giving 'to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's,' which directly counters the accusation that Jesus forbade paying tribute.
Acts 17:6-7This passage from Acts shows a similar accusation being made against early Christians: that they were 'turning the world upside down' and acting contrary to Caesar's decrees, revealing a pattern of political slander against followers of Christ.
Romans 13:1-7Paul's teaching on submitting to governing authorities provides a theological framework for understanding Jesus' stance on paying taxes and the Christian's role within the state, which the accusers in Luke deliberately twisted.
pooleLuke 23:2: "And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King."
See Poole on "Luke 23:1"
vincentLuke 23:2: "And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King."
We foundIn a judicial sense: as the result of their examination before the council.
The accusers frame Jesus as a political threat by twisting His claims of kingship into treason against Rome. They cleverly blend His identity as Messiah with the forbidden act of refusing Caesar's taxes, a charge even Pilate found baseless but politically charged.
Having been handed over to Pilate after their religious trial, Jesus' accusers now shift their strategy, presenting political charges before the Roman governor. They claim Jesus incites rebellion by misleading the people, forbidding tribute to Caesar, and proclaiming himself a king. This accusation is designed to provoke Pilate, appealing to his concern for Roman authority and order.
Having been handed over to Pilate after their religious trial, Jesus' accusers now shift their strategy, presenting political charges before the Roman governor. They claim Jesus incites rebellion by misleading the people, forbidding tribute to Caesar, and proclaiming himself a king. This accusation is designed to provoke Pilate, appealing to his concern for Roman authority and order.
"And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”" — The accusers frame Jesus as a political threat by twisting His claims of kingship into treason against Rome. They cleverly blend His identity as Messiah with the forbidden act of refusing Caesar's ta…
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Last reviewed October 2026