Luke 23ASV
Books
All books

Luke23

American Standard Version · Public Domain

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

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.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Luke 23.

Full AI study →

Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Christ before Pilate. (1–5). Christ before Herod. (6–12). Barabbas preferred to Christ. (13–25). Christ speaks of the destruction of Jerusalem. (26–31). The crucifixion, The repentant malefactor. (32–43). The death of Christ. (44–49). The burial of Christ. (50–56).

vv1-5

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.

vv6-12

Herod had heard many things of Jesus in Galilee, and out of curiosity longed to see him. The poorest beggar that asked a miracle for the relief of his necessity, was never denied; but this proud prince, who asked for a miracle only to gratify his curiosity, is refused. He might have seen Christ and his wondrous works in Galilee, and would not, therefore it is justly said, Now he would see them, and shall not. Herod sent Christ again to Pilate: the friendships of wicked men are often formed by union in wickedness. They agree in little, except in enmity to God, and contempt of Christ.

vv13-25

The fear of man brings many into this snare, that they will do an unjust thing, against their consciences, rather than get into trouble. Pilate declares Jesus innocent, and has a mind to release him; yet, to please the people, he would punish him as an evil-doer. If no fault be found in him, why chastise him? Pilate yielded at length; he had not courage to go against so strong a stream. He delivered Jesus to their will, to be crucified.

Cross References

Luke 23
v30Hosea 10:8quotation

Direct prophecy of the despairing cry to the mountains: 'Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us'.

Supported by JFB

v46Psalms 31:5quotation

Jesus directly quotes these words: 'into thy hands I commend my spirit'.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v8Luke 13:32thematic

Herod's curiosity to see Jesus is contrasted with his earlier murderous/crafty designs.

Supported by JFB

v33Isaiah 53:12fulfillment

Fulfillment of being numbered/crucified with the transgressors (the two malefactors).

Supported by Matthew Henry

v9Isaiah 53:7fulfillment

Jesus stood before Herod and vehemently accused, but answered him nothing, like a silent lamb.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v12Acts 4:27fulfillment

Explicit apostolic commentary on the conspiratorial alliance of Herod and Pontius Pilate.

Supported by JFB

v30Revelation 6:16allusion

Eschatological echo of the desperate cry for rocks and mountains to hide from judgment.

Supported by JFB

v31Ezekiel 20:47allusion

Underlying proverb of fire devouring the green tree, showing the severity of God's judgment.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v35Psalms 22:7allusion

The rulers and people derided, laughed Him to scorn, and shook their heads as prophesied.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v36Psalms 69:21fulfillment

Fulfillment of the soldiers offering Him vinegar in mock pity during His thirst.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v44Matthew 27:45thematic

Harmonizes the supernatural darkness from the sixth to the ninth hour across the synoptic accounts.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v18Acts 3:14thematic

Peter's indictment of the crowd for denying the Holy One and desiring a murderer.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v411 Peter 2:22thematic

The thief testifies that Christ did 'nothing amiss'; Peter affirms He did no sin.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v43Revelation 2:7thematic

Connects the Lord's promise of 'paradise' to the repentant thief with the Tree of Life.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v53Isaiah 53:9fulfillment

Fulfillment of making His grave with the rich in His death via Joseph of Arimathea.

Supported by Matthew Henry