Luke23
World English Bible · Public Domain
1 The whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate.
2 They 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.”
3 Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “So you say.”
4 Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
5 But they insisted, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place.”
6 But when Pilate heard Galilee mentioned, he asked if the man was a Galilean.
7 When he found out that he was in Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.
8 Now 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.
9 He questioned him with many words, but he gave no answers.
10 The chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him.
11 Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him. Dressing him in luxurious clothing, they sent him back to Pilate.
12 Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before that they were enemies with each other.
13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,
14 and 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.
15 Neither has Herod, for I sent you to him, and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by him.
16 I will therefore chastise him and release him.”
17 Now he had to release one prisoner to them at the feast.
18 But they all cried out together, saying, “Away with this man! Release to us Barabbas!”—
19 one who was thrown into prison for a certain revolt in the city, and for murder.
20 Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus,
21 but they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!”
22 He 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.”
23 But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. Their voices and the voices of the chief priests prevailed.
24 Pilate decreed that what they asked for should be done.
25 He released him who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus up to their will.
26 When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry it after Jesus.
27 A great multitude of the people followed him, including women who also mourned and lamented him.
28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
29 For 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.’
30 Then they will begin to tell the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and tell the hills, ‘Cover us.’
31 For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?”
32 There were also others, two criminals, led with him to be put to death.
33 When 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.
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots.
35 The 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!”
36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar,
37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”
38 An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
39 One of the criminals who was hanged insulted him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!”
40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Don’t you even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
43 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
44 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
45 The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.
46 Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Having said this, he breathed his last.
47 When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous man.”
48 All the multitudes that came together to see this, when they saw the things that were done, returned home beating their chests.
49 All his acquaintances and the women who followed with him from Galilee stood at a distance, watching these things.
50 Behold, 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 counsel and deed), from Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was also waiting for God’s Kingdom.
52 This man went to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body.
53 He 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.
54 It was the day of the Preparation, and the Sabbath was drawing near.
55 The women who had come with him out of Galilee followed after, and saw the tomb and how his body was laid.
56 They returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
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Luke 23Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Luke 23. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
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.
Key Words
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἅπας (hápas): absolutely all or (singular) every one
πλῆθος (plēthos): a fulness, i.e. a large number, throng, populace
αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀνίστημι (anístēmi): to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
ἄγω (ágō): properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce
ἐπί (epí): properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.
Πιλᾶτος (Pilâtos): close-pressed, i.e. firm; Pilatus, a Roman
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
ἄρχομαι (árchomai): to commence (in order of time)
Cross References
Luke 23Direct prophecy of the despairing cry to the mountains: 'Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us'.
Supported by JFB
Jesus directly quotes these words: 'into thy hands I commend my spirit'.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Herod's curiosity to see Jesus is contrasted with his earlier murderous/crafty designs.
Supported by JFB
Fulfillment of being numbered/crucified with the transgressors (the two malefactors).
Supported by Matthew Henry
Jesus stood before Herod and vehemently accused, but answered him nothing, like a silent lamb.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Explicit apostolic commentary on the conspiratorial alliance of Herod and Pontius Pilate.
Supported by JFB
Eschatological echo of the desperate cry for rocks and mountains to hide from judgment.
Supported by JFB
Underlying proverb of fire devouring the green tree, showing the severity of God's judgment.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The rulers and people derided, laughed Him to scorn, and shook their heads as prophesied.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Fulfillment of the soldiers offering Him vinegar in mock pity during His thirst.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Harmonizes the supernatural darkness from the sixth to the ninth hour across the synoptic accounts.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Peter's indictment of the crowd for denying the Holy One and desiring a murderer.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The thief testifies that Christ did 'nothing amiss'; Peter affirms He did no sin.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Connects the Lord's promise of 'paradise' to the repentant thief with the Tree of Life.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Fulfillment of making His grave with the rich in His death via Joseph of Arimathea.
Supported by Matthew Henry