The answer is: Herod

Luke 23:7

In the dramatic saga of Jesus' trial, Pilate becomes a pivotal character, juggling authority and political tension. When Jesus was sent to Herod after Pilate’s interrogation, it wasn't just a casual handoff. It symbolized a clash of both power and belief systems. Herod Antipas, a puppet king ruling over Galilee, had been hoping to see a miracle from Jesus, someone who he likely viewed more as a spectacle than a serious messianic figure. Interestingly, this Herod wasn’t the same Herod who was king during Jesus’ birth; He was a later ruler known for executing John the Baptist.

This episode becomes even more fascinating when you consider the cultural backdrop. Pilate and Herod were not exactly best friends—like two political rivals, each maneuvering to maintain their own power while deflecting responsibility for Jesus’ fate. Despite their disparate positions, they briefly found common ground. By throwing Jesus into Herod's court, Pilate shrewdly shuttles the weighty matter away from his jurisdiction.

It’s also noteworthy that during the days leading up to the crucifixion, both Pilate and Herod questioned Jesus yet came up empty-handed, concluding that their judgments could not stand. This leaves us with the ultimate irony: the one person who posed no threat to Rome was caught in the devastating political quagmire of the day. Jesus would eventually return to Pilate, setting the stage for the pivotal moment that reshaped history.