Herod's moral nature had become almost extinguished by a long course of immorality and cruelty. While the Baptist lived, he had "done many things" and heard John gladly; but when the beheading of this faithful witness on his own orders had taken place, the royal sinner went headlong to ruin. He treated this incident with flippant levity. The gorgeous raiment, being an imitation of the royal apparel of the Jewish kings, may have suggested the inscription affixed to the cross.
By giving the people the alternative of Christ or Barabbas, Pilate expected that they would certainly choose the former. To his dismay, this second effort to salve his conscience without endangering his reputation failed. So he drifted and sold his soul for power. Each of us has to choose between Christ and Barabbas, between the self-surrender of the Cross and brutal selfishness. Barabbas must have stolen to the Cross in the afternoon and said, as he stood there: "He hangs where I should have been. I am saved by His death." [source]
Chapter Summary: Luke 23
1Jesus is accused before Pilate, and sent to Herod 8Herod mocks him 12Herod and Pilate become friends 13Barabbas is desired of the people, 24and is released by Pilate, and Jesus is given to be crucified 26He tells the women, that lament him, the destruction of Jerusalem; 34prays for his enemies 39Two criminals are crucified with him 46His death 50His burial
Greek Commentary for Luke 23:21
But they shouted [οι δε επεπωνουν] Imperfect active of επιπωνεω epiphōneō to call to. Old verb and a verb pertinent here. They kept on yelling. [source]
Crucify, crucify [σταυρου σταυρου] Present active imperative. Go on with the crucifixion. Mark 15:13 has staurōson (first aorist active imperative), do it now and be done with it. No doubt some shouted one form, some another. [source]
Mark 15:13Crucify him [Σταυρωσον αυτον] Luke 23:21 repeats the verb. Matthew 27:22 has it, “Let him be crucified.” There was a chorus and a hubbub of confused voices all demanding crucifixion for Christ. Some of the voices beyond a doubt had joined in the hallelujahs to the Son of David in the triumphal entry. See notes on Matthew 27:23 for discussion of Mark 15:14. [source]
Greek Commentary for Luke 23:21
Imperfect active of επιπωνεω epiphōneō to call to. Old verb and a verb pertinent here. They kept on yelling. [source]
Present active imperative. Go on with the crucifixion. Mark 15:13 has staurōson (first aorist active imperative), do it now and be done with it. No doubt some shouted one form, some another. [source]
Imperfect. Kept shouting. Used by Luke only. Compare Acts 12:22; Acts 22:24. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 23:21
Luke 23:21 repeats the verb. Matthew 27:22 has it, “Let him be crucified.” There was a chorus and a hubbub of confused voices all demanding crucifixion for Christ. Some of the voices beyond a doubt had joined in the hallelujahs to the Son of David in the triumphal entry. See notes on Matthew 27:23 for discussion of Mark 15:14. [source]