Luke 23

1 With that, the whole Sanhedrin got up and brought Yeshua before Pilate,

2 where they started accusing him. "We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the Emperor and claiming that he himself is the Messiah -- a king!"

3 Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" And he answered him, "The words are yours." P

4 ilate said to the head cohanim and the crowds, "I find no ground for a charge against this man.

5 But they persisted. "He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Y'hudah -- he started in the Galil, and now he's here!"

6 On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was from the Galil;

7 and when he learned that he was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who at that time happened to be in Yerushalayim too.

8 Herod was delighted to see Yeshua, because he had heard about him and for a long time had been wanting to meet him; indeed, he hoped to see him perform some miracle.

9 He questioned him at great length,

10 but Yeshua made no reply. However, the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers stood there, vehemently pressing their case against him.

11 Herod and his soldiers treated Yeshua with contempt and made fun of him. Then, dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate.

12 That day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; previously they had been enemies.

13 Pilate summoned the head cohanim, the leaders and the people,

14 and said to them, "You brought this man before me on a charge of subverting the people. I examined him in your presence and did not find the man guilty of the crime you are accusing him of

15 And neither did Herod, because he sent him back to us. Clearly, he has not done anything that merits the death penalty.

16 Therefore, what I will do is have him flogged and release him."

17 Some manuscripts have verse 17: For he was required to release one man to them at the festival.

18 But with one voice they shouted, "Away with this man! Give us Bar-Abba!"

19 (He was a man who had been thrown in prison for causing a riot in the city and for murder.) Pilat

20 appealed to them again, because he wanted to release Yeshua.

21 But they yelled, "Put him to death on the stake! Put him to death on the stake!

22 A third time he asked them, "But what has this man done wrong? I haven't found any reason to put him to death. So I'm going to have him flogged and set free."

23 But they went on yelling insistently, demanding that he be executed on the stake; and their shouting prevailed.

24 Pilate decided to grant their demand;

25 he released the man who had been thrown in prison for insurrection and murder, the one they had asked for; and Yeshua he surrendered to their will.

26 As the Roman soldiers led Yeshua away, they grabbed hold of a man from Cyrene named Shim`on, who was on his way in from the country. They put the execution-stake on his back and made him carry it behind Yeshua.

27 Large numbers of people followed, including women crying and wailing over him.

28 Yeshua turned to them and said, "Daughters of Yerushalayim, don't cry for me; cry for yourselves and your children!

29 For the time is coming when people will say, `The childless women are the lucky ones -- those whose wombs have never borne a child, whose breasts have never nursed a baby!

30 Then They will begin to say to the mountains, `Fall on us!' and to the hills, `Cover us!'

31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what is going to happen when it's dry?"

32 Two other men, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him.

33 When they came to the place called The Skull, they nailed him to a stake; and they nailed the criminals to stakes, one on the right and one on the left.

34 Yeshua said, "Father, forgive them; they don't understand what they are doing." They divided up his clothes by throwing dice.

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at him.m "He saved others," they said, "so if he really is the Messiah, the one chosen by God, let him save himself!"

36 The soldiers too ridiculed him; they came up, offered him vinegar

37 and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!"

38 And there was a notice over him which read, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEW

39 One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him. "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"

40 But the other one spoke up and rebuked the first, saying, "Have you no fear of God? You're getting the same punishment as he is.

41 Ours is only fair; we're getting what we deserve for what we did. But this man did nothing wrong."

42 Then he said, "Yeshua, remember me when you come as King."

43 Yeshua said to him, "Yes! I promise that you will be with me today in Gan-`Eden."

44 It was now about noon, and darkness covered the whole Land until three o'clock in the afternoon;

45 the sun did not shine. Also the parokhet in the Temple was split down the middle.

46 Crying out with a loud voice, Yeshua said, "Father! Into your hands I commit my spirit." With these words he gave up his spirit.

47 When the Roman officer saw what had happened, he began to praise God and said, "Surely this man was innocent!"

48 And when all the crowds that had gathered to watch the spectacle saw the things that had occurred, they returned home beating their breasts.

49 All his friends, including the women who had accompanied him from the Galil, had been standing at a distance; they saw it all.

50 There was a man named Yosef, a member of the Sanhedrin. He was a good man, a tzaddik;

51 and he had not been in agreement with either the Sanhedrin's motivation or their action. He came from the town of Ramatayim, a town of the Judeans; and he looked forward to the Kingdom of God.

52 This man approached Pilate and asked for Yeshua's body.

53 He took it down, wrapped it in a linen sheet, and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, that had never been used.

54 It was Preparation Day, and a Shabbat was about to begin.

55 The women who had come with Yeshua from the Galil followed; they saw the tomb and how his body was placed in it.

56 Then they went back home to prepare spices and ointments. On Shabbat the women rested, in obedience to the commandment;

Luke 23 Commentary

Chapter 23

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)

Verses 1-5 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.

Verses 6-12 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.

Verses 13-25 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.

Verses 26-31 We have here the blessed Jesus, the Lamb of God, led as a lamb to the slaughter, to the sacrifice. Though many reproached and reviled him, yet some pitied him. But the death of Christ was his victory and triumph over his enemies: it was our deliverance, the purchase of eternal life for us. Therefore weep not for him, but let us weep for our own sins, and the sins of our children, which caused his death; and weep for fear of the miseries we shall bring upon ourselves, if we slight his love, and reject his grace. If God delivered him up to such sufferings as these, because he was made a sacrifice for sin, what will he do with sinners themselves, who make themselves a dry tree, a corrupt and wicked generation, and good for nothing! The bitter sufferings of our Lord Jesus should make us stand in awe of the justice of God. The best saints, compared with Christ, are dry trees; if he suffer, why may not they expect to suffer? And what then shall the damnation of sinners be! Even the sufferings of Christ preach terror to obstinate transgressors.

Verses 32-43 As soon as Christ was fastened to the cross, he prayed for those who crucified him. The great thing he died to purchase and procure for us, is the forgiveness of sin. This he prays for. Jesus was crucified between two thieves; in them were shown the different effects the cross of Christ would have upon the children of men in the preaching the gospel. One malefactor was hardened to the last. No troubles of themselves will change a wicked heart. The other was softened at the last: he was snatched as a brand out of the burning, and made a monument of Divine mercy. This gives no encouragement to any to put off repentance to their death-beds, or to hope that they shall then find mercy. It is certain that true repentance is never too late; but it is as certain that late repentance is seldom true. None can be sure they shall have time to repent at death, but every man may be sure he cannot have the advantages this penitent thief had. We shall see the case to be singular, if we observe the uncommon effects of God's grace upon this man. He reproved the other for railing on Christ. He owned that he deserved what was done to him. He believed Jesus to have suffered wrongfully. Observe his faith in this prayer. Christ was in the depth of disgrace, suffering as a deceiver, and not delivered by his Father. He made this profession before the wonders were displayed which put honour on Christ's sufferings, and startled the centurion. He believed in a life to come, and desired to be happy in that life; not like the other thief, to be only saved from the cross. Observe his humility in this prayer. All his request is, Lord, remember me; quite referring it to Jesus in what way to remember him. Thus he was humbled in true repentance, and he brought forth all the fruits for repentance his circumstances would admit. Christ upon the cross, is gracious like Christ upon the throne. Though he was in the greatest struggle and agony, yet he had pity for a poor penitent. By this act of grace we are to understand that Jesus Christ died to open the kingdom of heaven to all penitent, obedient believers. It is a single instance in Scripture; it should teach us to despair of none, and that none should despair of themselves; but lest it should be abused, it is contrasted with the awful state of the other thief, who died hardened in unbelief, though a crucified Saviour was so near him. Be sure that in general men die as they live.

Verses 44-49 We have here the death of Christ magnified by the wonders that attended it, and his death explained by the words with which he breathed out his soul. He was willing to offer himself. Let us seek to glorify God by true repentance and conversion; by protesting against those who crucify the Saviour; by a sober, righteous, and godly life; and by employing our talents in the service of Him who died for us and rose again.

Verses 50-56 Many, though they do not make any show in outward profession, yet, like Joseph of Arimathea, will be far more ready to do real service, when there is occasion, than others who make a greater noise. Christ was buried in haste, because the sabbath drew on. Weeping must not hinder sowing. Though they were in tears for the death of their Lord, yet they must prepare to keep holy the sabbath. When the sabbath draws on, there must be preparation. Our worldly affairs must be so ordered, that they may not hinder us from our sabbath work; and our holy affections so stirred up, that they may carry us on in it. In whatever business we engage, or however our hearts may be affected, let us never fail to get ready for, and to keep holy, the day of sacred rest, which is the Lord's day.