What does Luke 23:11 mean?

Pilate knows the charges against Jesus are false (Matthew 27:18). Yet he can't dismiss the case without damaging his good relationship with the high priest. However, he may be able to shift the responsibility to someone else: someone with whom he is not on good terms (Luke 23:1–6, 12).

Pilate discovers that Jesus is from Galilee, the territory ruled by Herod Antipas. He knows Antipas is in Jerusalem. So, he sends Jesus to Antipas. The religious leaders who are charging Jesus follow. Antipas welcomes the intrusion (Luke 23:7–10). He has wanted to speak with Jesus—and maybe witness Jesus' supernatural power—ever since Jesus' ministry became popular (Luke 9:7–9). Antipas even thought Jesus might be John the Baptist brought back to life, which would be startling since Antipas had beheaded John (Mark 6:14–29).

But Jesus refuses to speak. The chief priests and scribes are there, loudly declaring Jesus' guilt. They don't seem to notice that throughout the many trials before the crucifixion, Jesus never defends Himself against their charges (Mark 14:60–61; Mark 15:3–5). In addition, Antipas is irrelevant to Jesus. Antipas's authority comes from Rome, but he has no authority over Jerusalem, and it is in Jerusalem that Jesus must die (Luke 13:33).

The Jewish religious leaders have condemned Jesus. Pilate, not Antipas, is the representative of Rome who will sentence Him to crucifixion. That doesn't mean Antipas is harmless. Before he sends Jesus back to Pilate, Antipas does his best to humiliate Jesus. The King James Version says Antipas "set him at nought" or acts as if Jesus is nothing. The royal robes are a mockery Jesus will carry until His march to the cross. But the entire experience has an unexpected result: Pilate and Antipas, who until this point had been enemies, find themselves on better terms (Luke 23:12).