Paragraph 23:4–5

23:4a

Then: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then can be translated in several ways, including “then,” “and,” or “but.” The context implies that some time passed between 23:3 and 23:4. During this time, Pilate probably asked Jesus more questions. In some languages it may be necessary to indicate that some time passed. For example:

After that
-or-
When ⌊Pilate finished asking Jesus questions⌋

Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds: This clause introduces what Pilate decided after he questioned Jesus. Pilate told this decision publicly to all the people who were gathered there.

Another way to introduce his words are:

Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd (New International Version)

the chief priests and the crowds: The chief priests and the crowds are mentioned here for the first time in this chapter. The chief priests were important members of the Jewish council. The phrase the crowds probably implies that many people had gathered there to see what was happening. Introduce them here in a natural way in your language. Some ways to do that in English are:

the chief priests and all the many other people ⌊who had gathered there⌋
-or-
the leading priests ⌊and other Jewish council members⌋ and to the many other people who had come. He said

Introduce the statement in a natural way in your language.

chief priests: The term chief priests occurred in 22:66. You should translate it in the same way here. For more information and translation advice, see the note at 19:47b–d.

23:4b

I find no basis for a charge against this man: In Greek this clause is more literally, “I find no cause/basis in this man.” It indicates that Pilate did not discover any reason to condemn Jesus. Pilate had questioned Jesus and decided that Jesus was not guilty.

Some other ways to translate the clause are:

I find no reason to condemn this man. (Good News Translation)
-or-
I find no basis for an accusation against this man. (NET Bible)

The word no is emphasized in the clause. It indicates that there was no basis at all for a charge against Jesus. Another way to emphasize it in English is:

There is no cause that I have heard/seen to charge this man.

Emphasize Pilate’s conclusion in a natural way in your language.

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