Luke Chapter 23 of 24 about 5 min read

Luke 23

What happens in this chapter

Chapter summary coming soon.

Verse 1. Then the whole council rose and led Jesus away to Pilate.

Verse 2. And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”

Verse 3. So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.

Verse 4. Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

Verse 5. But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people all over Judea with His teaching. He began in Galilee and has come all the way here.”

Verse 6. When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean.

Verse 7. And learning that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself was in Jerusalem at that time.

Verse 8. When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see Him perform a miracle.

Verse 9. Herod questioned Jesus at great length, but He gave no answer.

Verse 10. Meanwhile, the chief priests and scribes stood there, vehemently accusing Him.

Verse 11. And even Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in a fine robe, they sent Him back to Pilate.

Verse 12. That day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this time they had been enemies.

Verse 13. Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,

Verse 14. and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him.

Verse 15. Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death.

Verse 16. Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”

Verse 17. nan

Verse 18. But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”

Verse 19. (Barabbas had been imprisoned for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

Verse 20. Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again,

Verse 21. but they kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

Verse 22. A third time he said to them, “What evil has this man done? I have found in Him no offense worthy of death. So after I punish Him, I will release Him.”

Verse 23. But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices for Jesus to be crucified. And their clamor prevailed.

Verse 24. So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met.

Verse 25. As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over to their will.

Verse 26. As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene on his way in from the country, and they put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.

Verse 27. A great number of people followed Him, including women who kept mourning and wailing for Him.

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

Verse 29. Look, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore, and breasts that never nursed!’

Verse 30. At that time ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’

Verse 31. For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Verse 32. Two others, who were criminals, were also led away to be executed with Jesus.

Verse 33. When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left.

Verse 34. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.

Verse 35. The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”

Verse 36. The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine.

Verse 37. “If You are the King of the Jews,” they said, “save Yourself!”

Verse 38. Above Him was posted an inscription: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Verse 39. One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. “Are You not the Christ?” he said. “Save Yourself and us!”

Verse 40. But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment?

Verse 41. We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

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

Verse 43. And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Verse 44. It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour.

Verse 45. The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle.

Verse 46. Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last.

Verse 47. When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God, saying, “Surely this was a righteous man.”

Verse 48. And when all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts.

Verse 49. But all those who knew Jesus, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching these things.

Verse 50. Now there was a Council member named Joseph, a good and righteous man,

Verse 51. who had not consented to their decision or action. He was from the Judean town of Arimathea and was waiting for the kingdom of God.

Verse 52. He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.

Verse 53. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had yet been laid.

Verse 54. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was beginning.

Verse 55. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how His body was placed.

Verse 56. Then they returned to prepare spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath, according to the commandment.