Charles Ellicott Commentary Luke 23:6

"But when Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean." — Luke 23:6 (ASV)

When Pilate heard of Galilee.—The incident that follows is peculiar to St. Luke, and may have been obtained by him from Manaen or other persons connected with the Herodian household with whom he appears to have come in contact. (See Introduction.) It is obvious that Pilate seizes upon the word in the hope of shifting onto another the responsibility of condemning One whom he believed to be innocent and had learned to respect, yet he did not have the courage to acquit Him.