Luke 23NKJV
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Luke23

New King James Version

1Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate.

2And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”

3Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered him and said, “It is as you say.”

4So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.”

5But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.”

6When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean.

7And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

8Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him.

9Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing.

10And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him.

11Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.

12That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.

13Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,

14said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him;

15no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him.

16I will therefore chastise Him and release Him”

17(for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast).

18And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”—

19who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder.

20Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them.

21But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”

22Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.”

23But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed.

24So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested.

25And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

26Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.

27And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him.

28But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.

29For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’

30Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’

31For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?”

32There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.

33And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.

34Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.

35And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”

36The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine,

37and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”

38And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

40But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?

41And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”

42Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

43And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

44Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

45Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.

46And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.

47So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!”

48And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.

49But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

50Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.

51He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.

52This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

53Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.

54That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.

55And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.

56Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath 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