New Testament
Luke 23:11
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, we see a moment during Jesus' trial where Herod, the ruler of Galilee, and his soldiers treat Jesus with contempt.
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Herod and his soldiers disregarded Jesus, mocked him, dressed him in a splendid robe, and sent him back to Pilate.
And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, we see a moment during Jesus' trial where Herod, the ruler of Galilee, and his soldiers treat Jesus with contempt. They do not take him seriously, mocking him instead of recognizing his authority. They dress him in a fine robe, which is a way to ridicule him further, as if to say he is a king in jest. After this mockery, they send him back to Pilate, the Roman governor, who is also involved in the trial. This scene highlights the rejection and humiliation Jesus faced from those in power, emphasizing the theme of suffering and injustice. It shows how Jesus was treated as a mere object of entertainment rather than the Messiah he claimed to be. This moment is significant as it sets the stage for the events leading to his crucifixion, illustrating the deep misunderstanding and scorn he encountered from both political and religious leaders.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Luke 23:11 to your life
This verse reminds us of the importance of treating others with respect and dignity, especially those who are marginalized or misunderstood. It challenges us to reflect on our own attitudes towards authority and how we respond to those who are different from us. We should strive to show compassion rather than contempt.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 23:11 mean?
Luke 23:11 describes how Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with mockery and contempt during his trial. They dressed him in a fine robe to ridicule him, highlighting the rejection and humiliation he faced from those in power.
What is the significance of the robe in Luke 23:11?
The robe in Luke 23:11 symbolizes the mockery of Jesus' kingship. By dressing him in a splendid robe, Herod and his soldiers were belittling Jesus' claim to authority and treating him as an object of entertainment rather than recognizing his true identity.
How does Luke 23:11 relate to the theme of injustice?
Luke 23:11 highlights injustice by showing how Jesus was ridiculed and disrespected by those in power. This moment reflects the broader theme of how authority figures often fail to recognize and honor true righteousness.
What can we learn from Luke 23:11?
From Luke 23:11, we learn the importance of treating others with respect and dignity, especially those who are marginalized. It encourages us to reflect on our attitudes towards authority and to show compassion rather than contempt.

The Book of Luke
Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold
In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.
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