Luke Chapter 23

At a Glance

  • Luke 23 documents the core events of Jesus’ trial, crucifixion, and burial.
  • The chapter closes with Jesus’ burial in a tomb supplied by Joseph of Arimathea and the guard set to prevent deceit about the resurrection.
  • Luke 23 lies squarely within the Passion Narrative, written in a first-century Greco-Roman milieu where crucifixion was a brutal, public form of execution.
  • Literarily, Luke juxtaposes political power with divine sovereignty.
  • - Innocence and unjust execution: Jesus’ non-resistance under false accusation highlights divine justice in weakness.

Luke 23 documents the core events of Jesus’ trial, crucifixion, and burial. The chapter begins with Jesus before Pilate, where the crowd and ruling authorities present him as a threat to the status quo. Pilate declares no fault in Jesus, but the crowd insists Jesus should be crucified, motivated by envy and political fear. The narrative traces Jesus’ transfer between Pilate and Herod, their uneasy alliance, and the pathetic irony of power displayed through mockery and a robe of splendor. As the cross looms, Jesus speaks words of forgiveness, comfort to the criminal on his side, and a cry of abandonment from the depths of his humanity. Crucifixion unfolds with public scorn, darkness, and the ultimate offering of his life as a sacrifice. Luke emphasizes the responses of various onlookers, including women who mourn, a centurion who proclaims the righteous one, and the faith of those who believe in quiet resilience even as death seems triumphant.

The chapter closes with Jesus’ burial in a tomb supplied by Joseph of Arimathea and the guard set to prevent deceit about the resurrection. Luke’s portrayal centers on the paradox of cruciform love—God’s power made perfect in weakness—and sets the stage for the morning of resurrection, which will redefine human history and the meaning of salvation.

Luke 23 lies squarely within the Passion Narrative, written in a first-century Greco-Roman milieu where crucifixion was a brutal, public form of execution. The chapter uses historical markers (Pilate, Herod, the Sanhedrin) to anchor the narrative while elevating theological themes. Luke’s emphasis on the innocence of Jesus, the crowd’s fickleness, and the prophetic Scriptures being fulfilled aligns with his broader aim: to present Jesus as the Righteous One whose suffering fulfills God’s plan for redemption.

Literarily, Luke juxtaposes political power with divine sovereignty. The trial scenes reveal political expediency, whereas the cross reveals the radical counterintuitiveness of God’s salvation. Women’s witness, the centurion’s confession, and the fulfillment of scriptural prophecies reinforce Luke’s pattern of including marginalized voices witnessing and confirming the pivotal events. The burial and resurrection anticipation create a bridge to Luke-Acts mission: from the tomb to the proclamation of the risen Christ to the ends of the earth.

- Innocence and unjust execution: Jesus’ non-resistance under false accusation highlights divine justice in weakness.

- Forgiveness and grace: Jesus’ urging of forgiveness even amid crucifixion embodies the heart of the Gospel.

- Witness and fulfillment: Women’s testimony, the centurion’s confession, and scriptural fulfillment frame salvation as witnessed and fulfilled history.

- Power redefined: Political power is subverted by divine submission; God’s plan proceeds through weakness and obedience.

- Burial and anticipation: The careful burial signals the transition to resurrection expectation and the dawning of new life.

- Contemplate forgiveness in pain: Jesus’ words from the cross invite believers to extend forgiveness even when wronged, mirroring divine mercy.

- Embrace vulnerable faith under pressure: The orderly, earnest witnesses of Luke 23 encourage steadfastness when circumstances seem overwhelming.

- Reframe power and leadership: Followers can learn to exercise influence through service, integrity, and humility, rather than coercive force.

- Reflect on suffering within God’s plan: Suffering isn’t meaningless; it participates in God’s redemptive purposes and opens paths to grace.

- Share the good news with courage: The witnesses at the cross and the open tomb encourage bold proclamation in the face of opposition.

- Isaiah 53 (suffering servant)

- Matthew 27 (parallel crucifixion narrative)

- John 19 (Jesus’ crucifixion details)

- Acts 2 (the resurrection proclamation)

- Jesus (suffering, forgiveness, and redemptive plan)

- Pilate (for examining political expediency and moral clarity)

- Mary (as a witness in sorrow)

- The Centurion (for recognizing divine truth in unlikely moments)

- Stephen (early martyr perspective on faithfulness under persecution)

Key Themes

Innocence and unjust execution: Jesus’ non-resistance under false accusation highlights divine justice in weakness.Forgiveness and grace: Jesus’ urging of forgiveness even amid crucifixion embodies the heart of the Gospel.Witness and fulfillment: Women’s testimony, the centurion’s confession, and scriptural fulfillment frame salvation as witnessed and fulfilled history.Power redefined: Political power is subverted by divine submission; God’s plan proceeds through weakness and obedience.

Chapter Text

1

And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.

2

And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

3

And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.

4

Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.

5

And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

6

When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.

7

And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.

8

And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.

9

Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.

10

And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.

11

And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

12

And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

13

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

14

Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:

15

No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.

16

I will therefore chastise him, and release him.

17

(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)

18

And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:

19

(Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)

20

Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.

21

But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

22

And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

23

And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.

24

And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.

25

And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

26

And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

27

And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.

28

But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

29

For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

30

Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.

31

For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

32

And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.

33

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

34

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

35

And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

36

And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

37

And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

38

And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

40

But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

41

And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

42

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

43

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

44

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

45

And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

46

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

47

Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

48

And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.

49

And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

50

And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:

51

(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.

52

This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.

53

And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

54

And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

55

And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.

56

And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

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