Luke 23:39-56
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
39 [a]Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” 40 The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? 41 And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.”(A) 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”(B) 43 He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”(C)
The Death of Jesus.(D) 44 [b]It was now about noon(E) and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon 45 because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle.(F) 46 Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last.(G) 47 The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, “This man was innocent[c] beyond doubt.” 48 When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts;(H) 49 but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events.(I)
The Burial of Jesus.(J) 50 Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, 51 had not consented to their plan of action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea and was awaiting the kingdom of God.(K) 52 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 After he had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried.(L) 54 It was the day of preparation, and the sabbath was about to begin. 55 The women who had come from Galilee with him followed behind, and when they had seen the tomb and the way in which his body was laid in it,(M) 56 they returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils. Then they rested on the sabbath according to the commandment.(N)
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 23:39–43 This episode is recounted only in this gospel. The penitent sinner receives salvation through the crucified Jesus. Jesus’ words to the penitent thief reveal Luke’s understanding that the destiny of the Christian is “to be with Jesus.”
- 23:44 Noon…three in the afternoon: literally, the sixth and ninth hours. See note on Mk 15:25.
- 23:47 This man was innocent: or, “This man was righteous.”
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