Luke 23:2
New International Version
And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.”

New Living Translation
They began to state their case: “This man has been leading our people astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming he is the Messiah, a king.”

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”

Berean Literal Bible
And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this man misleading our nation, and forbidding tribute to be given to Caesar, and declaring Himself to be Christ, a king."

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”

New American Standard Bible
And they began to bring charges against Him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”

NASB 1995
And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”

NASB 1977
And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”

Amplified Bible
They began to accuse Jesus, asserting, “We found this Man misleading and perverting our nation and forbidding us to pay taxes to Caesar, and claiming that He Himself is Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), a King.”

Christian Standard Bible
They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation, opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is the Messiah, a King.”

American Standard Version
And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to C�sar, and saying that he himself is Christ a king.

Contemporary English Version
They started accusing him and said, "We caught this man trying to get our people to riot and to stop paying taxes to the Emperor. He also claims that he is the Messiah, our king."

English Revised Version
And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ a king.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They began to accuse Jesus by saying, "We found that he stirs up trouble among our people: He keeps them from paying taxes to the emperor, and he says that he is Christ, a king."

Good News Translation
where they began to accuse him: "We caught this man misleading our people, telling them not to pay taxes to the Emperor and claiming that he himself is the Messiah, a king."

International Standard Version
They began to accuse him, "We found this man corrupting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that he is the Messiah, a king."

Majority Standard Bible
And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting the nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”

NET Bible
They began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding us to pay the tribute tax to Caesar and claiming that he himself is Christ, a king."

New Heart English Bible
They began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is the Christ, a king."

Webster's Bible Translation
And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this man perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cesar, saying, that he himself is Christ a king.

Weymouth New Testament
"We have found this man," they said, "an agitator among our nation, forbidding the payment of tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be himself an anointed king."

World English Bible
They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting the nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this One perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying Himself to be Christ, a king.”

Berean Literal Bible
And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this man misleading our nation, and forbidding tribute to be given to Caesar, and declaring Himself to be Christ, a king."

Young's Literal Translation
and began to accuse him, saying, 'This one we found perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying himself to be Christ a king.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying himself to be Christ a King.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they began to accuse him, saying: We have found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he is Christ the king.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this one subverting our nation, and prohibiting giving tribute to Caesar, and saying that he is Christ the king.”

New American Bible
They brought charges against him, saying, “We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Messiah, a king.”

New Revised Standard Version
They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And began to accuse him, saying, We found this man misleading our people, and forbidding to pay the head-tax to Caesar; and he says concerning himself that he is a King, even the Christ.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And they began slandering him and they were saying, “We found this one seducing our people and he forbids giving head tax to Caesar, and he has said about himself that he is The King Messiah.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And they began to accuse him, saying: We found this man turning the people away, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ, a king.

Godbey New Testament
And they began to accuse Him, saying, We found Him perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that He is Christ, a King.

Haweis New Testament
and began to accuse him, saying, We have found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay tribute to C�sar; pretending that he himself is the King Messiah.

Mace New Testament
and thus they began their charge, we found this man subverting our nation, opposing the giving tribute to Cesar, asserting that he himself is Christ the king.

Weymouth New Testament
"We have found this man," they said, "an agitator among our nation, forbidding the payment of tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be himself an anointed king."

Worrell New Testament
And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We found This Man perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ a King!"

Worsley New Testament
And they began to accuse Him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbiding to give tribute to Cesar; saying, that He himself is Christ the king.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Before Pilate
1Then the whole council rose and led Jesus away to Pilate. 2And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.” 3So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.…

Cross References
Matthew 27:11-14
Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, who questioned Him: “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. / And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer. / Then Pilate asked Him, “Do You not hear how many charges they are bringing against You?” ...

Mark 15:1-5
Early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin devised a plan. They bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate. / So Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. / And the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things. ...

John 18:29-38
So Pilate went out to them and asked, “What accusation are you bringing against this man?” / “If He were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed Him over to you.” / “You take Him and judge Him by your own law,” Pilate told them. “We are not permitted to execute anyone,” the Jews replied. ...

Acts 24:5-9
We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, / and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. / but Lysias the commander came with great force and took him out of our hands, ...

John 19:12-16
From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.” / When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat on the judgment seat at a place called the Stone Pavement, which in Hebrew is Gabbatha. / It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” ...

Matthew 26:59-61
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. / But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward / and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

Mark 14:55-59
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any. / For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent. / Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him: ...

John 19:19-22
Pilate also had a notice posted on the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. / Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. / So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but only that He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’” ...

Acts 17:6-7
But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!”

Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

Psalm 2:1-2
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One:

Daniel 6:4-5
Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. / Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”

Zechariah 11:12-13
Then I told them, “If it seems right to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” So they weighed out my wages, thirty pieces of silver. / And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—this magnificent price at which they valued me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.

Psalm 35:11
Hostile witnesses come forward; they make charges I know nothing about.

Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

they.

Zechariah 11:8
Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.

Mark 15:3-5
And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing…

John 18:30
They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.

perverting.

Luke 23:5
And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

1 Kings 18:17
And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?

Jeremiah 38:4
Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.

forbidding.

Luke 20:20-25
And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor…

1 Kings 21:10-13
And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die…

Psalm 35:11
False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.

that.

Luke 22:69,70
Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God…

Mark 14:61,62
But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? …

John 18:36
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

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Accuse Agitator Anointed Caesar Cesar Christ Claiming Claims Fellow Forbidding Found Misleading Nation Opposes Pay Paying Payment Perverting Statements Subverting Taxes Teaching Tribute Wrong
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Accuse Agitator Anointed Caesar Cesar Christ Claiming Claims Fellow Forbidding Found Misleading Nation Opposes Pay Paying Payment Perverting Statements Subverting Taxes Teaching Tribute Wrong
Luke 23
1. Jesus is accused before Pilate, and sent to Herod.
8. Herod mocks him.
12. Herod and Pilate become friends.
13. Barabbas is desired of the people,
24. and is released by Pilate, and Jesus is given to be crucified.
26. He tells the women, that lament him, the destruction of Jerusalem;
34. prays for his enemies.
39. Two criminals are crucified with him.
46. His death.
50. His burial.














And they began to accuse Him
The phrase "began to accuse" indicates the initiation of formal charges against Jesus. The Greek word for "accuse" is "κατηγορέω" (katēgoreō), which implies a public declaration of wrongdoing. This moment marks the transition from religious to political charges, as the Jewish leaders present their case to the Roman authorities. Historically, this reflects the tension between Jewish leaders and Roman governance, as they sought to frame Jesus in a way that would resonate with Roman concerns about order and authority.

saying, 'We found this man
The phrase "We found this man" suggests a discovery or uncovering of supposed wrongdoing. The accusers present themselves as having conducted an investigation, though their motives are driven by a desire to eliminate Jesus as a threat. This reflects the broader scriptural theme of false testimony and the manipulation of truth for personal or political gain, as seen throughout the Bible.

subverting our nation
The term "subverting" comes from the Greek "διαστρέφω" (diastrephō), meaning to pervert or turn away. The accusation implies that Jesus is leading the people astray from their national and religious identity. This charge is significant in the historical context of Roman-occupied Judea, where any form of insurrection or challenge to the status quo was met with severe consequences. Theologically, this accusation contrasts with Jesus' true mission of spiritual renewal and redemption.

opposing payment of taxes to Caesar
This accusation directly targets Roman interests, as taxes were a critical component of Roman control and economic stability. The Greek word for "opposing" is "κωλύω" (kōlyō), meaning to hinder or prevent. This charge is a distortion of Jesus' teaching, as seen in Luke 20:25, where He instructs to "give back to Caesar what is Caesar's." The accusers twist His words to portray Him as a political revolutionary, highlighting the theme of misunderstanding and misrepresentation of Jesus' message.

and claiming to be Christ, a king
The title "Christ" is derived from the Greek "Χριστός" (Christos), meaning "Anointed One," equivalent to the Hebrew "Messiah." The claim of kingship is a direct challenge to Roman authority, as any assertion of kingship outside of Roman sanction was considered treasonous. This accusation is central to the trial, as it frames Jesus as a political threat. However, from a theological perspective, Jesus' kingship is not of this world, as He embodies a spiritual kingdom that transcends earthly power structures. This highlights the tension between earthly and divine authority, a recurring theme in the Gospels.

(2) Perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute . . .--St. Luke's report of the accusation is more definite than that in the other Gospels. The question asked in Luke 20:20-26, was obviously intended to lead up to this; and though then baffled by our Lord's answer, the priests now brought, backed by false witnesses, the charge for which they had hoped to find evidence in His own words. It seems probable that these facts came to the writer's knowledge in the same way as those that immediately follow. (See Note on Luke 23:6.) It may be noted that the charge in the Greek is slightly enlarged. The question had referred, as reported by St. Matthew and St. Mark, to one form of tribute--the census, or poll-tax. The charge speaks of "taxes" in the plural, and uses the most general words. In Luke 20:22 the same word is used as in this verse, but in the singular. St. Paul, in a passage which may well have been based upon St. Luke's report of our Lord's words, uses the same term as St. Luke (Romans 13:6-7), first generically in the plural, and then in the singular as contrasted with customs duties.

Verse 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 Christ a King. To understand this scene perfectly we must read St. John's account in his eighteenth chapter (ver. 28 and following). From the place of meeting of the Sanhedrin, Jesus was led to the palace of Pilate, the Prsetorium. The Roman governor was evidently prepared for the case; for application must have been made to him the evening before for the guard which arrested Jesus in Gethsemane. St. John tells us that the delegates of the Sanhedrin entered not into the hall of judgment, "lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the Passover." Pilate, who knew well from his past experience how fiercely these fanatics resented any slight offered to their religious feelings, wishing for his own purposes to conciliate them, went outside. These Jews, prior to eating the Passover, would not enter any dwelling from which all leaven had not been carefully removed; of course, this had not been the case in the palace of Pilate. The governor asks them, in St. John's account, what was their accusation against the Man. They replied that they had three charges:

(1) he had perverted the nation;

(2) he had forbidden that tribute should be given to Caesar;

(3) he had asserted that he was Christ a King.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

they began
ἤρξαντο (ērxanto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 756: To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence.

to accuse
κατηγορεῖν (katēgorein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 2723: To accuse, charge, prosecute. From kategoros; to be a plaintiff, i.e. To charge with some offence.

Him,
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

saying,
λέγοντες (legontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“We found
εὕραμεν (heuramen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.

this [man]
Τοῦτον (Touton)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

subverting
διαστρέφοντα (diastrephonta)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1294: To pervert, corrupt, oppose, distort. From dia and strepho; to distort, i.e. misinterpret, or corrupt.

our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

nation,
ἔθνος (ethnos)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.

forbidding
κωλύοντα (kōlyonta)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2967: To prevent, debar, hinder; with infin: from doing so and so. From the base of kolazo; to estop, i.e. Prevent.

payment of taxes
φόρους (phorous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5411: A tax, tribute, especially on persons. From phero; a load, i.e. a tax.

to Caesar,
Καίσαρι (Kaisari)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2541: Of Latin origin; Caesar, a title of the Roman emperor.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

proclaiming
λέγοντα (legonta)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

Himself
ἑαυτὸν (heauton)
Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

to be
εἶναι (einai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

Christ,
Χριστὸν (Christon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

a king.”
βασιλέα (basilea)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 935: A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign.


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NT Gospels: Luke 23:2 They began to accuse him saying We (Luke Lu Lk)
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