Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 23:11

"And Herod with his soldiers set him at nought, and mocked him, and arraying him in gorgeous apparel sent him back to Pilate." — Luke 23:11 (ASV)

Only Luke records Jesus’ appearance before Herod; he had more interest in politics than Matthew or Mark (cf. 3:1; 9:7–9; 13:31). Herod had a more intimate experience with Jewish politics and religion than Pilate had. For a long time he had desired to learn more about Jesus (cf. 9:7–9). Like Pilate, Herod was probably in Jerusalem because of the Passover. (For Jesus’ attitude toward him, see 13:31–33.) Herod’s territory, as a local king under the authority of Rome, was Galilee and Perea. Verse 11 probably reflects a certain frustration on his part. He apparently had no legal accusation to make; so he vented his anger by echoing the hostility of the priests and teachers and by putting someone’s fine clothes on him.