23:2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this [fellow] {a} perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
(a) Corrupting the people, and leading them into errors.
23:2 Forbidding to give tribute to Caesar. This was utterly false (Mt 22:21).
That he himself is Christ a king. This was true, but not in the sense they made the charge. He did not claim to be an earthly king.
23:1-5 Pilate well understood the difference between armed forces and our Lord's followers. But instead of being softened by Pilate's declaration of his innocence, and considering whether they were not bringing the guilt of innocent blood upon themselves, the Jews were the more angry. The Lord brings his designs to a glorious end, even by means of those who follow the devices of their own hearts. Thus all parties joined, so as to prove the innocence of Jesus, who was the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
