Luke — Chapter 23
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1And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.
2And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
3And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.
4Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.
5And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.
6When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.
7And 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.
8And 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.
9Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
10And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
11And 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.
12And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
13And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
14Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
15No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
16I will therefore chastise him, and release him.
17(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)
18And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:
19(Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
20Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.
21But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.
22And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.
23And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
24And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.
25And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
26And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
27And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
28But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
29For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
30Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
31For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
32And there were also two others, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
33And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
34Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
35And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
36And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
37And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
38And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
44And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
45And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
46And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
47Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
48And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
49And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
50And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:
51(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.
52This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.
53And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
54And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
55And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
56And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
1And the whole company of them rose up, and brought him before Pilate.
2And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ a king.
3And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest.
4And Pilate said unto the chief priests and the multitudes, I find no fault in this man.
5But they were the more urgent, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judaea, and beginning from Galilee even unto this place.
6But when Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.
7And when he knew that he was of Herod`s jurisdiction, he sent him unto Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem in these days.
8Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was of a long time desirous to see him, because he had heard concerning him; and he hoped to see some miracle done by him.
9And he questioned him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
10And the chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him.
11And Herod with his soldiers set him at nought, and mocked him, and arraying him in gorgeous apparel sent him back to Pilate.
12And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
13And Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
14and said unto them, Ye brought unto me this man, as one that perverteth the people: and behold, I having examined him before you, found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
15no, nor yet Herod: for he sent him back unto us; and behold, nothing worthy of death hath been done by him.
16I will therefore chastise him, and release him.
17[Now he must needs release unto them at the feast one prisoner.]
18But they cried out all together, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: --
19one who for a certain insurrection made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.
20And Pilate spake unto them again, desiring to release Jesus;
21but they shouted, saying, Crucify, crucify him.
22And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath this man done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him and release him.
23But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. And their voices prevailed.
24And Pilate gave sentence that what they asked for should be done.
25And he released him that for insurrection and murder had been cast into prison, whom they asked for; but Jesus he delivered up to their will.
26And when they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to bear it after Jesus.
27And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him.
28But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
29For behold, the days are coming, in which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the breasts that never gave suck.
30Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
31For if they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
32And there were also two others, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
33And when they came unto the place which is called The skull, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand and the other on the left.
34And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots.
35And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also scoffed at him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen.
36And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, offering him vinegar,
37and saying, If thou art the King of the Jews, save thyself.
38And there was also a superscription over him, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39And one of the malefactors that were hanged railed on him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? save thyself and us.
40But the other answered, and rebuking him said, Dost thou not even fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom.
43And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.
44And it was now about the sixth hour, and a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour,
45the sun`s light failing: and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
46And Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said this, he gave up the ghost.
47And when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
48And all the multitudes that came together to this sight, when they beheld the things that were done, returned smiting their breasts.
49And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed with him from Galilee, stood afar off, seeing these things.
50And behold, a man named Joseph, who was a councillor, a good and righteous man
51(he had not consented to their counsel and deed), [a man] of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was looking for the kingdom of God:
52this man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.
53And he took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was hewn in stone, where never man had yet lain.
54And it was the day of the Preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
55And the women, who had come with him out of Galilee, followed after, and beheld the tomb, and how his body was laid.
56And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. And on the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
1Then the whole group of them rose up and brought Jesus before Pilate.
2They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding us to pay the tribute tax to Caesar and claiming that he himself is Christ, a king.”
3So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He replied, “You say so.”
4Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.”
5But they persisted in saying, “He incites the people by teaching throughout all Judea. It started in Galilee and ended up here!”
6Now when Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.
7When he learned that he was from Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who also happened to be in Jerusalem at that time.
8When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some miraculous sign.
9So Herod questioned him at considerable length; Jesus gave him no answer.
10The chief priests and the experts in the law were there, vehemently accusing him.
11Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, dressing him in elegant clothes, Herod sent him back to Pilate.
12That very day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other, for prior to this they had been enemies.
13Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people,
14and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. When I examined him before you, I did not find this man guilty of anything you accused him of doing.
15Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, he has done nothing deserving death.
16I will therefore have him flogged and release him.”
17[This verse is not included in the NET; see KJV/ASV for the traditional rendering.]
18But they all shouted out together, “Take this man away! Release Barabbas for us!”
19(This was a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city, and for murder.)
20Pilate addressed them once again because he wanted to release Jesus.
21But they kept on shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!”
22A third time he said to them, “Why? What wrong has he done? I have found him guilty of no crime deserving death. I will therefore flog him and release him.”
23But they were insistent, demanding with loud shouts that he be crucified. And their shouts prevailed.
24So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted.
25He released the man they asked for, who had been thrown in prison for insurrection and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.
26As they led him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country. They placed the cross on his back and made him carry it behind Jesus.
27A great number of the people followed him, among them women who were mourning and wailing for him.
28But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
29For this is certain: The days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore children, and the breasts that never nursed!’
30Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’
31For if such things are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32Two other criminals were also led away to be executed with him.
33So when they came to the place that is called “The Skull,” they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.
34[But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”] Then they threw dice to divide his clothes.
35The people also stood there watching, but the leaders ridiculed him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, his chosen one!”
36The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine,
37and saying, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!”
38There was also an inscription over him, “This is the king of the Jews.”
39One of the criminals who was hanging there railed at him, saying, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
40But the other rebuked him, saying, “Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
41And we rightly so, for we are getting what we deserve for what we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.”
42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.”
43And Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
44It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon,
45because the sun’s light failed. The temple curtain was torn in two.
46Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And after he said this he breathed his last.
47Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent!”
48And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.
49And all those who knew Jesus stood at a distance, and the women who had followed him from Galilee saw these things.
50Now there was a man named Joseph who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man.
51(He had not consented to their plan and action.) He was from the Judean town of Arimathea, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God.
52He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
53Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut out of the rock, where no one had yet been buried.
54It was the day of preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.
55The women who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it.
56Then they returned and prepared aromatic spices and perfumes. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
1The whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate.
2They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting the nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”
3Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “So you say.”
4Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
5But they insisted, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place.”
6But when Pilate heard Galilee mentioned, he asked if the man was a Galilean.
7When he found out that he was in Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.
8Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard many things about him. He hoped to see some miracle done by him.
9He questioned him with many words, but he gave no answers.
10The chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him.
11Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him. Dressing him in luxurious clothing, they sent him back to Pilate.
12Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before that they were enemies with each other.
13Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,
14and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one that perverts the people, and behold, having examined him before you, I found no basis for a charge against this man concerning those things of which you accuse him.
15Neither has Herod, for I sent you to him, and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by him.
16I will therefore chastise him and release him.”
17Now he had to release one prisoner to them at the feast.
18But they all cried out together, saying, “Away with this man! Release to us Barabbas!”—
19one who was thrown into prison for a certain revolt in the city, and for murder.
20Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus,
21but they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!”
22He said to them the third time, “Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.”
23But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. Their voices and the voices of the chief priests prevailed.
24Pilate decreed that what they asked for should be done.
25He released him who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus up to their will.
26When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it after Jesus.
27A great multitude of the people followed him, including women who also mourned and lamented him.
28But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
29For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’
30Then they will begin to tell the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and tell the hills, ‘Cover us.’
31For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?”
32There were also others, two criminals, led with him to be put to death.
33When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.
34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots.
35The people stood watching. The rulers with them also scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen one!”
36The soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar,
37and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”
38An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
39One of the criminals who was hanged insulted him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!”
40But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Don’t you even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?
41And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”
42He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
43Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
44It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
45The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.
46Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Having said this, he breathed his last.
47When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous man.”
48All the multitudes that came together to see this, when they saw the things that were done, returned home beating their breasts.
49All his acquaintances, and the women who followed with him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
50Behold, a man named Joseph, who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man
51(he had not consented to their counsel and deed), from Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was also waiting for God’s Kingdom:
52this man went to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body.
53He took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was cut in stone, where no one had ever been laid.
54It was the day of the Preparation, and the Sabbath was drawing near.
55The women, who had come with him out of Galilee, followed after, and saw the tomb, and how his body was laid.
56They returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
Summary
Jesus is tried before Pilate and Herod, the crowd demands Barabbas, He speaks to the weeping women on the road to Calvary, is crucified between two thieves (one repents and receives paradise), and is buried in Joseph's tomb.
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- Pilate's judgment hall (v.1): The Roman governor's headquarters in Jerusalem (the Praetorium).
- Herod's palace (v.7): Jesus was sent to Herod Antipas, who was also in Jerusalem for Passover. Herod's palace was in the upper city.
- Golgotha / Calvary (v.33): "The place which is called Calvary" — the execution site outside Jerusalem's walls.
- Cyrene (v.26): Simon was from Cyrene in North Africa. He carried Jesus' cross.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines the trial before Herod, Pilate's weakness, the weeping women, the repentant thief, Jesus' seven last words, and the burial.
- Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "The Dying Thief" on vv.42-43 (MTP Vol. 10, No. 583) "Remember me — that is all he asked. No elaborate theology, no lifetime of service, no ritual, no preparation — just 'remember me.' And Jesus said 'Today — not someday, not after purgatory, not after you prove yourself — TODAY you will be with Me in paradise.' That is grace. Pure, unearned, undeserved, last-minute grace." Sermon: "Father, Forgive Them" on v.34 (MTP Vol. 22, No. 1317) "Father, forgive them — His first words from the cross were not a cry of pain but a prayer of intercession. While they drove the nails, He prayed for them. While they mocked, He forgave. That is the heart of God — even at the cross, even toward His murderers."
Reflection
- 1. "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (v.34). While being crucified, Jesus prayed for His executioners. Is there anyone you are refusing to forgive? If Jesus could forgive those who nailed Him to a cross, what excuse do you have for holding onto bitterness?
- 2. The repentant thief had nothing to offer — no works, no time, no resources. He simply asked to be remembered. And Jesus gave him paradise (v.43). This is the Gospel: salvation is not earned; it is received by faith. Are you resting in grace or still trying to earn your way?
- 3. "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" (v.46). Jesus' final act was trust — placing Himself in the Father's hands. Can you pray that prayer today — committing your life, your future, your fears into God's hands?
- 4. The centurion said "Certainly this was a righteous man" (v.47). Even a pagan soldier could see what the religious leaders refused to acknowledge. Sometimes outsiders see the truth more clearly than insiders. Are you open to truth from unexpected sources?
- 5. Herod wanted Jesus to perform a miracle for his entertainment (v.8). Jesus refused to speak to him. God is not a performer. He doesn't respond to curiosity or entertainment-seeking. Are you approaching God with genuine faith or with curiosity? What's the difference?
- 6. Pilate declared Jesus innocent three times (vv.4,14,22) and still condemned Him. He knew the truth but chose political safety. Where in your life are you choosing safety over truth?
- 7. The two thieves represent all of humanity — both guilty, both dying, both in the presence of Christ. One mocked; one believed. The difference was not their crime but their response to Jesus. What is your response?
- 8. Jesus told the weeping women "weep not for me, but weep for yourselves" (v.28). He was more concerned about their spiritual condition than His own physical suffering. How does this challenge your tendency to focus on your own problems rather than the spiritual needs of others?
- 9. Joseph of Arimathea "had not consented to the counsel and deed of them" (v.51). He was a dissenting voice in the Sanhedrin — a man who stood against the majority. When have you stood against the crowd for what was right? What did it cost you?