Luke 23
New Living Translation
Jesus’ Trial before Pilate
23 Then the entire council took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. 2 They began to state their case: “This man has been leading our people astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming he is the Messiah, a king.”
3 So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jesus replied, “You have said it.”
4 Pilate turned to the leading priests and to the crowd and said, “I find nothing wrong with this man!”
5 Then they became insistent. “But he is causing riots by his teaching wherever he goes—all over Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem!”
6 “Oh, is he a Galilean?” Pilate asked. 7 When they said that he was, Pilate sent him to Herod Antipas, because Galilee was under Herod’s jurisdiction, and Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at the time.
8 Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle. 9 He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer. 10 Meanwhile, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law stood there shouting their accusations. 11 Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate. 12 (Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies before, became friends that day.)
13 Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, 14 and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. 15 Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. 16 So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”[a]
18 Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” 19 (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) 20 Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
22 For the third time he demanded, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”
23 But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. 25 As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.
The Crucifixion
26 As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene,[b] happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. 28 But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ 30 People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’[c] 31 For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?[d]”
32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull,[e] they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”[f] And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.[g]
35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 37 They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”
40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The Death of Jesus
44 By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. 46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!”[h] And with those words he breathed his last.
47 When the Roman officer[i] overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.[j]” 48 And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow.[k] 49 But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.
The Burial of Jesus
50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, 51 but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. 52 He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. 54 This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation,[l] as the Sabbath was about to begin.
55 As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.
Footnotes
- 23:16 Some manuscripts add verse 17, Now it was necessary for him to release one prisoner to them during the Passover celebration. Compare Matt 27:15; Mark 15:6; John 18:39.
- 23:26 Cyrene was a city in northern Africa.
- 23:30 Hos 10:8.
- 23:31 Or If these things are done to me, the living tree, what will happen to you, the dry tree?
- 23:33 Sometimes rendered Calvary, which comes from the Latin word for “skull.”
- 23:34a This sentence is not included in many ancient manuscripts.
- 23:34b Greek by casting lots. See Ps 22:18.
- 23:46 Ps 31:5.
- 23:47a Greek the centurion.
- 23:47b Or righteous.
- 23:48 Greek went home beating their breasts.
- 23:54 Greek It was the day of preparation.
Luke 23
New American Standard Bible
Jesus before Pilate
23 Then the entire assembly of them set out and (A)brought Him before Pilate. 2 (B)And they began to bring charges against Him, saying, “We found this man (C)misleading our nation and (D)forbidding us to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is [a]Christ, a King.” 3 Now Pilate asked Him, saying, “So You are the King of the Jews?” And He answered him and said, “(E)It is as you say.” 4 But Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “(F)I find no grounds for charges in the case of this man.” 5 But they kept on insisting, saying, “He is stirring up the people, teaching all over Judea, (G)starting from Galilee, as far as this place!”
6 Now when Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to (H)Herod, [b]since he also was in Jerusalem [c]at this time.
Jesus before Herod
8 Now Herod was overjoyed when he saw Jesus; for (I)he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some [d]sign performed by Him. 9 And he questioned Him [e]at some length; but (J)He offered him no answer at all. 10 Now the chief priests and the scribes stood there, vehemently charging Him. 11 And Herod, together with his soldiers, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, (K)dressing Him in a brightly shining robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 And so (L)Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for previously, they had been enemies toward each other.
Pilate Seeks Jesus’ Release
13 Now Pilate summoned to himself the chief priests, the [f](M)rulers, and the people, 14 and he said to them, “You brought this man to me on the ground that (N)he is inciting the people to revolt; and behold, after examining Him before you, I (O)have found no basis at all in the case of this man for the charges which you are bringing against Him. 15 No, nor has (P)Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him. 16 Therefore I will [g](Q)punish Him and release Him.” 17 [[h]Now he was obligated to release to them at the feast one prisoner.]
18 But they cried out all together, saying, “(R)Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas!” 19 (He was one who had been thrown into prison for a revolt that took place in the city, and for murder.) 20 But Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again, 21 but they kept on crying out, saying, “Crucify, crucify Him!” 22 And he said to them a third time, “Why, what has this man done wrong? I have found [i]in His case no grounds for a sentence of death; therefore I will [j](S)punish Him and release Him.” 23 But they were insistent, with loud voices, demanding that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail. 24 And so Pilate decided to have their demand carried out. 25 And he released the man for whom they were asking, who had been thrown into prison for a revolt and murder; but he handed Jesus over to their will.
Simon Carries the Cross
26 (T)And when they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of (U)Cyrene, as he was coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.
27 Now following Him was a large crowd of the people, and of women who were [k](V)mourning and grieving for Him. 28 But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, days are coming when they will say, ‘(W)Blessed are those who cannot bear, and the wombs that have not given birth, and the breasts that have not nursed.’ 30 Then they will begin to (X)say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do these things [l]when the tree is green, what will happen [m]when it is dry?”
32 (Y)Now two others, who were criminals, were also being led away to be put to death with Him.
The Crucifixion
33 (Z)And when they came to the place called [n]The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. 34 [[o]But Jesus was saying, “(AA)Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”] (AB)And they cast lots, dividing His garments among themselves. 35 And the people stood by, watching. And even the (AC)rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; (AD)let Him save Himself if this is the [p]Christ of God, His Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also ridiculed Him, coming up to Him, (AE)offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, “(AF)If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” 38 Now there was also an inscription above Him, “(AG)THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
39 (AH)One of the criminals who were hanged there was [q]hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the [r]Christ? (AI)Save Yourself and us!” 40 But the other responded, and rebuking him, said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving [s]what we deserve for our crimes; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” 43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in (AJ)Paradise.”
44 (AK)It was now about [t](AL)the sixth hour, and darkness came over the entire land until [u]the ninth hour, 45 [v]because the sun stopped shining; and (AM)the veil of the temple was torn [w]in two. 46 And Jesus, (AN)crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, (AO)into Your hands I entrust My spirit.” And having said this, He [x]died. 47 (AP)Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began (AQ)praising God, saying, “This man was in fact [y]innocent.” 48 And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, after watching what had happened, began to return home, [z](AR)beating their chests. 49 (AS)And all His acquaintances and (AT)the women who accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a distance, seeing these things.
Jesus Is Buried
50 (AU)And a man named Joseph, who was a (AV)member of the Council, a good and righteous man 51 (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was (AW)waiting for the kingdom of God— 52 this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain. 54 It was a [aa](AX)preparation day, and a Sabbath was about to [ab]begin. 55 Now (AY)the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how His body was laid. 56 And then they returned and (AZ)prepared spices and perfumes.
And (BA)on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
Footnotes
- Luke 23:2 I.e., the Messiah
- Luke 23:7 Lit himself also being in
- Luke 23:7 Lit in these days
- Luke 23:8 I.e., confirming miracle
- Luke 23:9 Lit in considerable words
- Luke 23:13 I.e., other Jewish leaders
- Luke 23:16 I.e., by scourging
- Luke 23:17 Most early mss do not contain this v
- Luke 23:22 Lit in Him no
- Luke 23:22 I.e., by scourging
- Luke 23:27 Lit beating their breasts
- Luke 23:31 Lit in the green tree
- Luke 23:31 Lit in the dry
- Luke 23:33 Gr Kranion, Lat Calvaria (Calvary)
- Luke 23:34 Most early mss do not contain But Jesus was saying...doing
- Luke 23:35 I.e., Messiah
- Luke 23:39 Or blaspheming
- Luke 23:39 I.e., Messiah
- Luke 23:41 Lit things worthy of what we have done
- Luke 23:44 I.e., noon
- Luke 23:44 I.e., 3 p.m.
- Luke 23:45 Lit the sun failing
- Luke 23:45 Lit in the middle
- Luke 23:46 Lit expired
- Luke 23:47 Lit righteous
- Luke 23:48 I.e., as a traditional sign of mourning or contrition
- Luke 23:54 I.e., preparation for the Sabbath
- Luke 23:54 Lit dawn
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
