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Jesus before Pilate

23 The whole assembly got up and led Jesus to Pilate and began to accuse him. They said, “We have found this man misleading our people, opposing the payment of taxes to Caesar, and claiming that he is the Christ, a king.”

Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus replied, “That’s what you say.”

Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no legal basis for action against this man.”

But they objected strenuously, saying, “He agitates the people with his teaching throughout Judea—starting from Galilee all the way here.”

Jesus before Herod

Hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. When he learned that Jesus was from Herod’s district, Pilate sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. Herod was very glad to see Jesus, for he had heard about Jesus and had wanted to see him for quite some time. He was hoping to see Jesus perform some sign. Herod questioned Jesus at length, but Jesus didn’t respond to him. 10 The chief priests and the legal experts were there, fiercely accusing Jesus. 11 Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt. Herod mocked him by dressing Jesus in elegant clothes and sent him back to Pilate. 12 Pilate and Herod became friends with each other that day. Before this, they had been enemies.

Jesus and Barabbas

13 Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people. 14 He said to them, “You brought this man before me as one who was misleading the people. I have questioned him in your presence and found nothing in this man’s conduct that provides a legal basis for the charges you have brought against him. 15 Neither did Herod, because Herod returned him to us. He’s done nothing that deserves death. 16 Therefore, I’ll have him whipped, then let him go.”[a]

18 But with one voice they shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us.” (19 Barabbas had been thrown into prison because of a riot that had occurred in the city, and for murder.)

20 Pilate addressed them again because he wanted to release Jesus.

21 They kept shouting out, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22 For the third time, Pilate said to them, “Why? What wrong has he done? I’ve found no legal basis for the death penalty in his case. Therefore, I will have him whipped, then let him go.”

23 But they were adamant, shouting their demand that Jesus be crucified. Their voices won out. 24 Pilate issued his decision to grant their request. 25 He released the one they asked for, who had been thrown into prison because of a riot and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.

On the way to the cross

26 As they led Jesus away, they grabbed Simon, a man from Cyrene, who was coming in from the countryside. They put the cross on his back and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A huge crowd of people followed Jesus, including women, who were mourning and wailing for him. 28 Jesus turned to the women and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t cry for me. Rather, cry for yourselves and your children. 29 The time will come when they will say, ‘Happy are those who are unable to become pregnant, the wombs that never gave birth, and the breasts that never nursed a child.’ 30 Then they will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’[b] 31 If they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Jesus on the cross

32 They also led two other criminals to be executed with Jesus. 33 When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right and the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” They drew lots as a way of dividing up his clothing.

35 The people were standing around watching, but the leaders sneered at him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself if he really is the Christ sent from God, the chosen one.”

36 The soldiers also mocked him. They came up to him, offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you really are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 Above his head was a notice of the formal charge against him. It read “This is the king of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals hanging next to Jesus insulted him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

40 Responding, the other criminal spoke harshly to him, “Don’t you fear God, seeing that you’ve also been sentenced to die? 41 We are rightly condemned, for we are receiving the appropriate sentence for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

43 Jesus replied, “I assure you that today you will be with me in paradise.”

Jesus’ death

44 It was now about noon, and darkness covered the whole earth until about three o’clock, 45 while the sun stopped shining. Then the curtain in the sanctuary tore down the middle. 46 Crying out in a loud voice, Jesus said, “Father, into your hands I entrust my life.”[c] After he said this, he breathed for the last time.

47 When the centurion saw what happened, he praised God, saying, “It’s really true: this man was righteous.” 48 All the crowds who had come together to see this event returned to their homes beating their chests after seeing what had happened. 49 And everyone who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance observing these things.

Jesus’ burial

50 Now there was a man named Joseph who was a member of the council. He was a good and righteous man. 51 He hadn’t agreed with the plan and actions of the council. He was from the Jewish city of Arimathea and eagerly anticipated God’s kingdom. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Taking it down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid it in a tomb carved out of the rock, in which no one had ever been buried. 54 It was the Preparation Day for the Sabbath, and the Sabbath was quickly approaching. 55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph. They saw the tomb and how Jesus’ body was laid in it, 56 then they went away and prepared fragrant spices and perfumed oils. They rested on the Sabbath, in keeping with the commandment.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 23:16 Critical editions of the Gk New Testament do not include 23:17 He had to release one prisoner for them because of the festival.
  2. Luke 23:30 Hos 10:8
  3. Luke 23:46 Ps 31:5

Jesus before Pilate(A)

23 The whole group rose up and took Jesus before Pilate, where they began to accuse him: “We caught this man misleading our people, telling them not to pay taxes to the Emperor and claiming that he himself is the Messiah, a king.”

Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“So you say,” answered Jesus.

Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no reason to condemn this man.”

But they insisted even more strongly, “With his teaching he is starting a riot among the people all through Judea. He began in Galilee and now has come here.”

Jesus before Herod

When Pilate heard this, he asked, “Is this man a Galilean?” When he learned that Jesus was from the region ruled by Herod, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. Herod was very pleased when he saw Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been wanting to see him for a long time. He was hoping to see Jesus perform some miracle. So Herod asked Jesus many questions, but Jesus made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the teachers of the Law stepped forward and made strong accusations against Jesus. 11 Herod and his soldiers made fun of Jesus and treated him with contempt; then they put a fine robe on him and sent him back to Pilate. 12 On that very day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this they had been enemies.

Jesus Is Sentenced to Death(B)

13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought this man to me and said that he was misleading the people. Now, I have examined him here in your presence, and I have not found him guilty of any of the crimes you accuse him of. 15 Nor did Herod find him guilty, for he sent him back to us. There is nothing this man has done to deserve death. 16 So I will have him whipped and let him go.” 17 [a]

18 The whole crowd cried out, “Kill him! Set Barabbas free for us!” (19 Barabbas had been put in prison for a riot that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)

20 Pilate wanted to set Jesus free, so he appealed to the crowd again. 21 But they shouted back, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22 Pilate said to them the third time, “But what crime has he committed? I cannot find anything he has done to deserve death! I will have him whipped and set him free.”

23 But they kept on shouting at the top of their voices that Jesus should be crucified, and finally their shouting succeeded. 24 So Pilate passed the sentence on Jesus that they were asking for. 25 He set free the man they wanted, the one who had been put in prison for riot and murder, and he handed Jesus over for them to do as they wished.

Jesus Is Crucified(C)

26 The soldiers led Jesus away, and as they were going, they met a man from Cyrene named Simon who was coming into the city from the country. They seized him, put the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus.

27 A large crowd of people followed him; among them were some women who were weeping and wailing for him. 28 Jesus turned to them and said, “Women of Jerusalem! Don't cry for me, but for yourselves and your children. 29 For the days are coming when people will say, ‘How lucky are the women who never had children, who never bore babies, who never nursed them!’ 30 (D)That will be the time when people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Hide us!’ 31 For if such things as these are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 Two other men, both of them criminals, were also led out to be put to death with Jesus. 33 When they came to the place called “The Skull,” they crucified Jesus there, and the two criminals, one on his right and the other on his left. 34 (E)Jesus said, “Forgive them, Father! They don't know what they are doing.”[b]

They divided his clothes among themselves by throwing dice. 35 (F)The people stood there watching while the Jewish leaders made fun of him: “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah whom God has chosen!”

36 (G)The soldiers also made fun of him: they came up to him and offered him cheap wine, 37 and said, “Save yourself if you are the king of the Jews!”

38 Above him were written these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”

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

40 The other one, however, rebuked him, saying, “Don't you fear God? You received the same sentence he did. 41 Ours, however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong.” 42 And he said to Jesus, “Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!”

43 Jesus said to him, “I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me.”

The Death of Jesus(H)

44-45 (I)It was about twelve o'clock when the sun stopped shining and darkness covered the whole country until three o'clock; and the curtain hanging in the Temple was torn in two. 46 (J)Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father! In your hands I place my spirit!” He said this and died.

47 The army officer saw what had happened, and he praised God, saying, “Certainly he was a good man!”

48 When the people who had gathered there to watch the spectacle saw what happened, they all went back home, beating their breasts in sorrow. 49 (K)All those who knew Jesus personally, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance to watch.

The Burial of Jesus(L)

50-51 There was a man named Joseph from Arimathea, a town in Judea. He was a good and honorable man, who was waiting for the coming of the Kingdom of God. Although he was a member of the Council, he had not agreed with their decision and action. 52 He went into the presence of Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took the body down, wrapped it in a linen sheet, and placed it in a tomb which had been dug out of solid rock and which had never been used. 54 It was Friday, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

55 The women who had followed Jesus from Galilee went with Joseph and saw the tomb and how Jesus' body was placed in it. 56 (M)Then they went back home and prepared the spices and perfumes for the body.

On the Sabbath they rested, as the Law commanded.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 23:17 Some manuscripts add verse 17: At every Passover Festival Pilate had to set free one prisoner for them (see Mk 15.6).
  2. Luke 23:34 Some manuscripts do not have Jesus said, “Forgive them, Father! They don't know what they are doing.”

Jesus is Taken to Pilate(A)

23 Then the whole crowd got up and took him to Pilate. They began to accuse him, “We found this man corrupting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that he is the Messiah,[a] a king.”

Then Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

He answered, “You say so.”

Then Pilate told the high priests and crowds, “I do not find anything chargeable in this man.”

But they kept insisting, “He is stirring up the people with what he teaches all over Judea, from where he started in Galilee to this place.”

Jesus is Sent to Herod

When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. When he learned with certainty that Jesus[b] came from Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was in Jerusalem at that time. Now Herod was very glad to see Jesus, because he had been wanting to see him for a long time on account of what he had heard about him. He was also hoping to see some sign done by him. So he continued to question him for a long time, but Jesus[c] gave him no answer at all. 10 Meanwhile, the high priests and the scribes stood nearby and continued to accuse him vehemently. 11 Even[d] Herod and his soldiers treated him with contempt and made fun of him. He put a magnificent robe on Jesus[e] and sent him back to Pilate. 12 So Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day. Before this they had been enemies.

Jesus is Sentenced to Death(B)

13 Then Pilate called the high priests, the other[f] leaders, and the people together 14 and told them, “You brought this man to me as one who turns the people against the government. And here in your presence I have examined him and have found him ‘Not Guilty’ of the charges you make against him. 15 Neither does Herod, because he sent him back to us! Indeed, this man[g] has done nothing to deserve death. 16 So I will punish him and let him go.”

17 Now he was obligated to release someone for them at the festival.[h] 18 But they all shouted out together, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas for us!” 19 (This man had been put in prison for murder and for a revolt that had taken place in the city.) 20 But Pilate wanted to let Jesus go, so he appealed to them again, 21 but they continued to shout, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22 Then he spoke to them a third time: “What has he done wrong? I have found nothing in him worthy of death. So I will punish him and let him go.” 23 But they kept pressing him with loud shouts, demanding that Jesus[i] be crucified, and their shouts began to prevail.

24 Then Pilate pronounced his sentence that their demand should be carried out. 25 So he released the man who had been put in prison for revolt and murder—the man whose release[j] they continued to demand—but he let them have their way with Jesus.[k]

Jesus is Crucified(C)

26 As they led Jesus[l] away, they grabbed Simon, a man from Cyrene, as he was coming in from the country, and they put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd of people followed him, including some women who kept mourning and wailing for him.

28 But Jesus turned to them and said, “Women[m] of Jerusalem, stop crying for me. Instead, cry for yourselves and for your children, 29 because the time is surely coming when people[n] will say, ‘How blessed are the women who couldn’t bear children and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then people[o] will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’, and to the hills, ‘Cover us up!’[p] 31 And if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 Two others, who were criminals, were also led away to be executed with Jesus.[q] 33 When they reached the place called The Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 Jesus kept saying, “Father, forgive them, because they don’t know what they’re doing.”[r] Then they divided his clothes among them by throwing dice.

35 Meanwhile, the people stood looking on. The leaders were mocking him by saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself, if he is the Messiah[s] of God, the chosen one!”

36 The soldiers also made fun of Jesus[t] by coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 saying, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:[u] “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 Now one of the criminals hanging there kept insulting[v] him, “You are the Messiah,[w] aren’t you? Save yourself…and us!”

40 But the other criminal rebuked him, “Aren’t you afraid of God, since you are suffering the same penalty? 41 We have been condemned justly, because we are getting what we deserve for what we have done, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he went on to plead, “Jesus, remember me when you come into[x] your kingdom!”

43 Jesus[y] told him, “I tell you[z] with certainty, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Jesus Dies on the Cross(D)

44 It was already about noon,[aa] and the whole land[ab] became dark until three in the afternoon[ac] 45 because the sun had stopped shining, and the curtain[ad] in the sanctuary was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus cried out with a loud voice and said, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.”[ae] After he said this, he breathed his last.

47 When the centurion[af] saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “This man certainly was righteous!” 48 When all the crowds who had come together for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they beat their chests and left. 49 But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, were standing at a distance watching these things.

Jesus is Buried(E)

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council,[ag] a good and righteous man— 51 he had not voted for their plan and action—from the Jewish town of Arimathea; and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb cut in the rock, in which no one had yet been laid.

54 It was the Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was just beginning. 55 So the women who had come with Jesus[ah] from Galilee, following close behind, saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they went back and prepared spices and perfumes, and on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 23:2 Or Christ
  2. Luke 23:7 Lit. he
  3. Luke 23:9 Lit. he
  4. Luke 23:11 Other mss. lack Even
  5. Luke 23:11 Lit. him
  6. Luke 23:13 The Gk. lacks other
  7. Luke 23:15 Lit. Indeed, he
  8. Luke 23:17 Other mss. lack verse 17
  9. Luke 23:23 Lit. he
  10. Luke 23:25 The Gk. lacks whose release
  11. Luke 23:25 Lit. he turned Jesus over to their will
  12. Luke 23:26 Lit. him
  13. Luke 23:28 Lit. Daughters
  14. Luke 23:29 Lit. they
  15. Luke 23:30 Lit. they
  16. Luke 23:30 Cf. Hos 10:8
  17. Luke 23:32 Lit. him
  18. Luke 23:34 Some mss. lack Jesus kept saying, “Father, forgive them, because they don’t know what they’re doing.”
  19. Luke 23:35 Or Christ
  20. Luke 23:36 Lit. him
  21. Luke 23:38 Other mss. lack written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew
  22. Luke 23:39 Or blaspheming
  23. Luke 23:39 Or Christ
  24. Luke 23:42 Other mss. read in
  25. Luke 23:43 Lit. He
  26. Luke 23:43 The Gk. pronoun you is sing.
  27. Luke 23:44 Lit. the sixth hour
  28. Luke 23:44 Or earth
  29. Luke 23:44 Lit. the ninth hour
  30. Luke 23:45 This curtain separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.
  31. Luke 23:46 Cf. Ps 31:5
  32. Luke 23:47 A Roman centurion commanded about 100 men.
  33. Luke 23:50 Or Sanhedrin
  34. Luke 23:55 Lit. him

23 Then the entire Council took Jesus over to Pilate, the governor.[a] They began at once accusing him: “This fellow has been leading our people to ruin by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming he is our Messiah—a King.”

So Pilate asked him, “Are you their Messiah—their King?”[b]

“Yes,” Jesus replied, “it is as you say.”

Then Pilate turned to the chief priests and to the mob and said, “So? That isn’t a crime!”

Then they became desperate. “But he is causing riots against the government everywhere he goes, all over Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem!”

“Is he then a Galilean?” Pilate asked.

When they told him yes, Pilate said to take him to King Herod, for Galilee was under Herod’s jurisdiction; and Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at the time. Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, for he had heard a lot about him and had been hoping to see him perform a miracle.

He asked Jesus question after question, but there was no reply. 10 Meanwhile, the chief priests and the other religious leaders stood there shouting their accusations.

11 Now Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus; and putting a kingly robe on him, they sent him back to Pilate. 12 That day Herod and Pilate—enemies before—became fast friends.

13 Then Pilate called together the chief priests and other Jewish leaders, along with the people, 14 and announced his verdict:

“You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt against the Roman government.[c] I have examined him thoroughly on this point 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 I will therefore have him scourged with leaded thongs and release him.”

17-18 [d]But now a mighty roar rose from the crowd as with one voice they shouted. “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” 19 (Barabbas was in prison for starting an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) 20 Pilate argued with them, for he wanted to release Jesus. 21 But they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22 Once more, for the third time, he demanded, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. I will therefore scourge him and let him go.” 23 But they shouted louder and louder for Jesus’ death, and their voices prevailed.

24 So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. 25 And he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder, at their request. But he delivered Jesus over to them to do with as they would.

26 As the crowd led Jesus away to his death, Simon of Cyrene, who was just coming into Jerusalem from the country, was forced to follow, carrying Jesus’ cross. 27 Great crowds trailed along behind, and many grief-stricken women.

28 But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the days are coming when the women who have no children will be counted fortunate indeed. 30 Mankind will beg the mountains to fall on them and crush them, and the hills to bury them. 31 For if such things as this are done to me, the Living Tree, what will they do to you?”[e]

32-33 Two others, criminals, were led out to be executed with him at a place called “The Skull.” There all three were crucified—Jesus on the center cross, and the two criminals on either side.

34 “Father, forgive these people,” Jesus said, “for they don’t know what they are doing.”

And the soldiers gambled for his clothing, throwing dice for each piece. 35 The crowd watched. And the Jewish leaders laughed and scoffed. “He was so good at helping others,” they said, “let’s see him save himself if he is really God’s Chosen One, the Messiah.”

36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink—of sour wine. 37 And they called to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”

38 A signboard was nailed to the cross 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!”

40-41 But the other criminal protested. “Don’t you even fear God when you are dying? We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn’t done one thing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

43 And Jesus replied, “Today you will be with me in Paradise. This is a solemn promise.”

44 By now it was noon, and darkness fell across the whole land[f] for three hours, until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone—and suddenly[g] the thick veil hanging in the Temple split apart.

46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I commit my spirit to you,” and with those words he died.[h]

47 When the captain of the Roman military unit handling the executions saw what had happened, he was stricken with awe before God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.”[i]

48 And when the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw that Jesus was dead, they went home in deep sorrow. 49 Meanwhile, Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him down from Galilee, stood in the distance watching.

50-52 Then a man named Joseph, a member of the Jewish Supreme Court, from the city of Arimathea in Judea, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. He was a godly man who had been expecting the Messiah’s coming and had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other Jewish leaders. 53 So he took down Jesus’ body and wrapped it in a long linen cloth and laid it in a new, unused tomb hewn into the rock at the side of a hill.[j] 54 This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation for the Sabbath.

55 As the body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw it carried into the tomb. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to embalm him; but by the time they were finished it was the Sabbath, so they rested all that day as required by the Jewish law.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 23:1 the governor, implied.
  2. Luke 23:3 Are you their Messiah—their King? literally, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
  3. Luke 23:14 of leading a revolt against the Roman government, literally, “as one who perverts the people.”
  4. Luke 23:17 Some ancient authorities add v. 17, “For it was necessary for him to release unto them at the feast one [prisoner].”
  5. Luke 23:31 For if such things as this are done to me, the Living Tree, what will they do to you? literally, “For if they do this when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
  6. Luke 23:44 the whole land, or “the whole world.”
  7. Luke 23:45 and suddenly, implied.
  8. Luke 23:46 he died, literally, “he yielded up the spirit.”
  9. Luke 23:47 innocent, literally, “righteous.”
  10. Luke 23:53 at the side of a hill, implied.