Luke 23
Jesus before Pilate and Herod
And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cæsar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it. Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilæan. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. 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.
And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
The council brings Jesus to Pilate, accusing him of misleading the nation, forbidding taxes to Caesar and claiming to be the Messiah, a king. Pilate finds no basis for a charge, and on learning that Jesus is a Galilean sends him to Herod Antipas, who is in Jerusalem. Herod, hoping to see a miracle, questions him at length but gets no answer; he and his soldiers mock Jesus, dress him in splendid clothing and send him back. Herod and Pilate become friends that day.
What does this mean?
"Perverting the nation" (KJV) means leading the people astray and stirring unrest. The "gorgeous robe" (KJV) was splendid clothing, mocking royal dress.
Historical context
Pontius Pilate was the Roman prefect of Judea from 26 to 36 CE, a title confirmed by an inscription found at Caesarea. Governors normally lived in Caesarea on the coast and came to Jerusalem with troops at festivals. The earlier enmity between Pilate and Herod is mentioned only here.
Why does it matter?
The hearing before Herod appears only in Luke. Pilate's first declaration of innocence begins a pattern of three (23:4, 14, 22). The tax charge contradicts Jesus' actual answer (20:25).
Editorial notes, not scripture.