23:11a
Herod and his soldiers: In this verse there are three actions: ridiculing (23:11a), mocking (23:11b), and dressing Jesus in a robe (23:11c). The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Herod and his soldiers is literally “Herod with his soldiers,” as in the Revised Standard Version. This phrase implies that Herod was the person who began and led these actions. The soldiers joined in the first two actions of mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Herod probably provided the robe and ordered the soldiers to dress Jesus in it. Herod was the person who sent Jesus back to Pilate. Another way to translate these actions are:
Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and made fun of him. They put a colorful robe on him and sent him back to Pilate.
In some languages it may be necessary to be more specific about the roles that Herod and his soldiers had in these actions. For example:
Herod, along with his soldiers, mocked and ridiculed Jesus. Then Herod caused him to be dressed in a beautiful robe and sent him back to Pilate.
his soldiers: The phrase his soldiers refers here to a small group of military men. It was not a large army. These soldiers were probably Herod’s guards, who traveled with Herod to protect him. Use an appropriate term in your language.
ridiculed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ridiculed indicates that Herod and his soldiers thought that Jesus was not worthy to be respected. That is why they treated him with contempt. Some other ways to translate it in this context are:
treated Jesus with contempt (God’s Word)
-or-
laughing-at
23:11b
mocked: The word mocked indicates that they made fun of Jesus. They insulted him with both words and actions. Some other ways to translate it are:
insulted him
-or-
treated him shamefully
-or-
made fun of him (God’s Word)
This word also occurred in 22:63. You can translate it in the same way or a similar way here.
23:11c
Dressing Him in a fine robe: The subject of the verb Dressing is the same as that of the verbs in 23:11a, “Herod and/with his soldiers.” Probably Herod provided the elegant robe and ordered his soldiers to dress Jesus in it. Herod and his soldiers put the robe on Jesus to mock him. They implied that he was not at all fit to be a king. The phrase Dressing Him indicates that they put the robe on Jesus. Other ways to translate this clause are:
They dressed him in a fine robe like that which kings wear
-or-
They dressed him in very good clothing as if he were a king
-or-
Finally, they put a royal robe on him (New Living Translation (2004))
a fine robe: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a fine robe is literally “bright/shining clothing.” In that culture, this type of clothing was worn by rich or important men. It was clothing that a king might wear. (In Mark 15:17 and John 19:2, Pilate’s soldiers dressed Jesus in a purple robe, which was also something that a king might wear.) For translation suggestions, see the examples in the preceding note.
23:11d
they sent Him back to Pilate: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they sent is literally “he sent.” The implied subject is the same as in 23:11a, “Herod and/with his soldiers.” Herod told his soldiers to lead Jesus, as a prisoner, back to Pilate. Translate this action in a natural way in your language.
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