Luke 23 · Verse 12

Luke 23:12

And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

Luke 23:12, King James Version

Luke 23:12 in other translations

BSB	That day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this time they had been enemies.
WEB	Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before that they were enemies with each other.
ASV	And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
YLT	and both Pilate and Herod became friends on that day with one another, for they were before at enmity between themselves.
DARBY	And Pilate and Herod became friends with one another the same day, for they had been at enmity before between themselves.
BBE	And that day Herod and Pilate became friends with one another, for before they had been against one another.
Webster	And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together; for before they were at enmity between themselves.

What does Luke 23:12 mean?

Barnes' Notes

Verse 12. Made friends together, &c. What had been the cause of their quarrel is unknown. It is Commonly supposed that it was Pilate's slaying the Galileans in Jerusalem, as related in Lk 13:1,2. The occasion of their reconciliation seems to have been the civility and respect which Pilate showed to Herod in this case. It was not because they were united in hating Jesus, as is often the case with wicked men, for Pilate was certainly desirous of releasing him, and both considered him merely as an object of ridicule and sport. It is true, however, that wicked men, at variance in other things, are often united in opposing and ridiculing Christ and his followers; and that enmities of long standing are sometimes made up, and the most opposite characters brought together, simply to oppose religion. Comp. Ps 83:5-7.

(q) "friends" Acts 4:27

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 12 Pilate and Herod were made friends - I do not find any account of the cause of the enmity which subsisted between Herod and Pilate given by ancient authors; and the conjectures of the moderns on the subject should be considered as mere guesses. It is generally supposed that this enmity arose from what is related Luke 13, of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate hath mingled with that of their sacrifices. These were Herod's subjects, and Pilate seems to have fallen on them at the time they were offering sacrifices to God at the temple. Wicked men cannot love one another: this belongs to the disciples of Christ. But when Christ, his truth, or his followers are to be persecuted, for this purpose the wicked unite their counsels and their influence. The Moabites and Ammonites, who were enemies among themselves, united against poor Israel, and, as Rabbi Tanchum says, may be likened to two contending dogs, who, when the wolf comes, join together to destroy him; each knowing that, if he do not, the wolf will kill both in succession: whereas, by their union, they may now kill or baffle him. There is a proverb among the rabbins, that, when the cat and weasel marry together, misery becomes increased.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 23:6-12

Herod had heard many things of Jesus in Galilee, and out of curiosity longed to see him. The poorest beggar that asked a miracle for the relief of his necessity, was never denied; but this proud prince, who asked for a miracle only to gratify his curiosity, is refused. He might have seen Christ and his wondrous works in Galilee, and would not, therefore it is justly said, Now he would see them, and shall not. Herod…

Read the full comment on Luke 23:6-12 →

Luke 23:12 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἐγένοντοegenontoBecameG1096

δὲdethenG1161

φίλοιphiloifriendsG5384

ὅho<the>G3588

τεtebothG5037

ἩρῴδηςHērōdēsHerodG2264

καὶkaiandG2532

ὁho<the>G3588

ΠιλᾶτοςPilatosPilateG4091

ἐνenonG1722

αὐτῇautēathatG846

τῇtēa<the>G3588

ἡμέρᾳhēmeradayG2250

μετ᾽met᾽withG3326

ἀλλήλων·allēlōnone another;G240

προϋπῆρχονproupērchonthey were formerlyG4391

γὰρgarforG1063

ἐνenatG1722

ἔχθρᾳechthraenmityG2189

ὄντεςontesthey wereG1510

πρὸςprosbetweenG4314

αὐτούς.¶autousthem.G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Luke 23:12

Acts 4:27
For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
Revelation 17:13-14
These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Matthew 16:1
The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
Psalms 83:4-6
They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ps 83:4-6; Ac 4:27; Mt 16:1; Re 17:13,14

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Luke 23:11
And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
Luke 23:12
And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
Luke 23:13
And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

Read all of Luke 23

Luke 23:12 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y fueron hechos amigos entre sí Pilato y Herodes en el mismo día; porque antes eran enemigos entre sí.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et Pilate et Hérode devinrent amis entre eux ce même jour; car auparavant ils étaient en inimitié l’un avec l’autre.
German Elberfelder 1871	Pilatus und Herodes aber wurden an selbigem Tage Freunde miteinander, denn vorher waren sie gegeneinander in Feindschaft.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Et facti sunt amici Herodes et Pilatus in ipsa die: nam antea inimici erant ad invicem.