What does Luke 23:25 mean?

Like the crowd before him, Pilate is persuaded by local religious leaders that Jesus should be crucified (Matthew 27:20). Unlike the crowd, Pilate understands that Jesus is innocent (Luke 23:4, 14–15, 22). At the same time, he knows that to not crucify Jesus will cause an insurrection. Pilate is willing to kill Jesus, not because Jesus will announce He is King and lead His followers in rebellion (Luke 23:2, 5), but because if He lives the mob controlled by the leaders will riot (Matthew 27:24).

Pilate "delivers" Jesus. This word is poignant. It is a form of the same Greek root word translated "betray" in the passage that describes how Judas conspires with the chief priests and officers (Luke 22:4–6). Jesus uses the word when He warns His disciples that family members will hand over His followers to the authorities (Luke 21:16). Yet it's also used to describe how Luke received Jesus' story (Luke 1:2).

It is Barabbas, the terrorist, who should be delivered to the cross. But the religious leaders have convinced a crowd to shout Pilate down and insist that Jesus be delivered, instead (Matthew 27:20, 24; Luke 23:18–19). Pilate washes his hands to ceremonially absolve himself of Jesus' murder. The crowd shouts, "His blood be on us and on our children!" (Matthew 27:24–25).

The "will" to which Pilate submits Jesus is especially heinous. Twice, Pilate has offered to "punish" Jesus—probably meaning to beat Him (Luke 23:16, 22). Instead, Jesus is scourged until the flesh is ripped from His body. Usually, crucifixion victims are tied to their crossbeam; Jesus is nailed (John 20:25, 27).

Luke is circumspect about the details. He does not mention the scourging or give details about the crucifixion. His point isn't about what Jesus endures but about who is responsible: the corrupt religious leaders, the mob, and the civil authorities.