Luke 23:48

48 and all the multitudes who were come together to this sight, beholding the things that came to pass, smiting their breasts did turn back;

Luke 23:48 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 23:48

And all the people that came together to that sight
To see the execution of Jesus; and some of them might be his inveterate enemies, and came to insult him, and did insult him; many of these, though not every individual of them:

beholding the things which were done;
the eclipse, earthquake

smote their breasts;
as conscious of guilt, and as fearing some dreadful judgment would fall upon them, and their nation, for this sin of crucifying Christ. The Persic version reads, "they went back, and kneeled down, and prostrated themselves to the ground"; as being in the utmost astonishment, confusion, fear, and dread:

and returned;
to the city, and to their own houses, where they might more seriously, and with the greater composure of mind, reflect on these things.

Luke 23:48 In-Context

46 and having cried with a loud voice, Jesus said, `Father, to Thy hands I commit my spirit;' and these things having said, he breathed forth the spirit.

47 And the centurion having seen what was done, did glorify God, saying, `Really this man was righteous;'

48 and all the multitudes who were come together to this sight, beholding the things that came to pass, smiting their breasts did turn back;

49 and all his acquaintances stood afar off, and women who did follow him from Galilee, beholding these things.

50 And lo, a man, by name Joseph, being a counsellor, a man good and righteous,