Herod and Pilate

Luke tells us that "Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other" (Luke 23:12). At first glance this seems like a small detail, but it says a lot about what was happening when Jesus was on trial.

Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea. Herod Antipas ruled over Galilee and Perea. Their territories touched, and their responsibilities often overlapped. Pilate had a reputation for clashing with Jewish leaders, while Herod claimed to be more sensitive to Jewish traditions. The two men had reasons to dislike each other, and they were not on good terms.

That changed when Pilate sent Jesus to Herod. Since Jesus was from Galilee, Pilate recognized Herod's authority by letting him judge the case. This was more than passing the buck–it was a sign of respect. Herod, after mocking Jesus, decided not to condemn Him. That response supported Pilate's own conclusion that Jesus was no real threat. Each man gave the other a measure of credit, and from that day their political rivalry turned into cooperation.

But Luke wants us to see more than politics here. He shows us the great irony: two enemies become friends by joining together in rejecting Christ. Psalm 2 says that "the kings of the earth take their stand…against the Lord and against His Anointed." That prophecy comes alive in this scene. Herod, Pilate, the chief priests, and the crowd–all different groups–are united against Jesus.

The sad truth is that unbelief has the power to unite even enemies. Herod and Pilate could not agree on many things, but they could agree to reject Jesus. Luke reminds us that, then and now, the choice about Christ is what really divides people or brings them together.