Jesus before Pilate

23 Then the entire assembly of them set out and (A)brought Him before Pilate. (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.” 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.” But Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “(F)I find no grounds for charges in the case of this man.” 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!”

Now when Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 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

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. 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

  1. Luke 23:2 I.e., the Messiah
  2. Luke 23:7 Lit himself also being in
  3. Luke 23:7 Lit in these days
  4. Luke 23:8 I.e., confirming miracle
  5. Luke 23:9 Lit in considerable words
  6. Luke 23:13 I.e., other Jewish leaders
  7. Luke 23:16 I.e., by scourging
  8. Luke 23:17 Most early mss do not contain this v
  9. Luke 23:22 Lit in Him no
  10. Luke 23:22 I.e., by scourging
  11. Luke 23:27 Lit beating their breasts
  12. Luke 23:31 Lit in the green tree
  13. Luke 23:31 Lit in the dry
  14. Luke 23:33 Gr Kranion, Lat Calvaria (Calvary)
  15. Luke 23:34 Most early mss do not contain But Jesus was saying...doing
  16. Luke 23:35 I.e., Messiah
  17. Luke 23:39 Or blaspheming
  18. Luke 23:39 I.e., Messiah
  19. Luke 23:41 Lit things worthy of what we have done
  20. Luke 23:44 I.e., noon
  21. Luke 23:44 I.e., 3 p.m.
  22. Luke 23:45 Lit the sun failing
  23. Luke 23:45 Lit in the middle
  24. Luke 23:46 Lit expired
  25. Luke 23:47 Lit righteous
  26. Luke 23:48 I.e., as a traditional sign of mourning or contrition
  27. Luke 23:54 I.e., preparation for the Sabbath
  28. Luke 23:54 Lit dawn

23 And having risen, the whole multitude of them did lead him to Pilate,

and began to accuse him, saying, `This one we found perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying himself to be Christ a king.'

And Pilate questioned him, saying, `Thou art the king of the Jews?' and he answering him, said, `Thou dost say [it].'

And Pilate said unto the chief priests, and the multitude, `I find no fault in this man;'

and they were the more urgent, saying -- `He doth stir up the people, teaching throughout the whole of Judea -- having begun from Galilee -- unto this place.'

And Pilate having heard of Galilee, questioned if the man is a Galilean,

and having known that he is from the jurisdiction of Herod, he sent him back unto Herod, he being also in Jerusalem in those days.

And Herod having seen Jesus did rejoice exceedingly, for he was wishing for a long [time] to see him, because of hearing many things about him, and he was hoping some sign to see done by him,

and was questioning him in many words, and he answered him nothing.

10 And the chief priests and the scribes stood vehemently accusing him,

11 and Herod with his soldiers having set him at nought, and having mocked, having put around him gorgeous apparel, did send him back to Pilate,

12 and both Pilate and Herod became friends on that day with one another, for they were before at enmity between themselves.

13 And Pilate having called together the chief priests, and the rulers, and the people,

14 said unto them, `Ye brought to me this man as perverting the people, and lo, I before you having examined, found in this man no fault in those things ye bring forward against him;

15 no, nor yet Herod, for I sent you back unto him, and lo, nothing worthy of death is having been done by him;

16 having chastised, therefore, I will release him,'

17 for it was necessary for him to release to them one at every feast,

18 and they cried out -- the whole multitude -- saying, `Away with this one, and release to us Barabbas,'

19 who had been, because of a certain sedition made in the city, and murder, cast into prison.

20 Pilate again then -- wishing to release Jesus -- called to them,

21 but they were calling out, saying, `Crucify, crucify him.'

22 And he a third time said unto them, `Why, what evil did he? no cause of death did I find in him; having chastised him, then, I will release [him].'

23 And they were pressing with loud voices asking him to be crucified, and their voices, and those of the chief priests, were prevailing,

24 and Pilate gave judgment for their request being done,

25 and he released him who because of sedition and murder hath been cast into the prison, whom they were asking, and Jesus he gave up to their will.

26 And as they led him away, having taken hold on Simon, a certain Cyrenian, coming from the field, they put on him the cross, to bear [it] behind Jesus.

27 And there was following him a great multitude of the people, and of women, who also were beating themselves and lamenting him,

28 and Jesus having turned unto them, said, `Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but for yourselves weep ye, and for your children;

29 for, lo, days do come, in which they shall say, Happy the barren, and wombs that did not bare, and paps that did not give suck;

30 then they shall begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us, and to the hills, Cover us; --

31 for, if in the green tree they do these things -- in the dry what may happen?'

32 And there were also others -- two evil-doers -- with him, to be put to death;

33 and when they came to the place that is called Skull, there they crucified him and the evil-doers, one on the right hand and one on the left.

34 And Jesus said, `Father, forgive them, for they have not known what they do;' and parting his garments they cast a lot.

35 And the people were standing, looking on, and the rulers also were sneering with them, saying, `Others he saved, let him save himself, if this be the Christ, the choice one of God.'

36 And mocking him also were the soldiers, coming near and offering vinegar to him,

37 and saying, `If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.'

38 And there was also a superscription written over him, in letters of Greek, and Roman, and Hebrew, `This is the King of the Jews.'

39 And one of the evil-doers who were hanged, was speaking evil of him, saying, `If thou be the Christ, save thyself and us.'

40 And the other answering, was rebuking him, saying, `Dost thou not even fear God, that thou art in the same judgment?

41 and we indeed righteously, for things worthy of what we did we receive back, but this one did nothing out of place;'

42 and he said to Jesus, `Remember me, lord, when thou mayest come in thy reign;'

43 and Jesus said to him, `Verily I say to thee, To-day with me thou shalt be in the paradise.'

44 And it was, as it were, the sixth hour, and darkness came over all the land till the ninth hour,

45 and the sun was darkened, and the vail of the sanctuary was rent in the midst,

46 and having cried with a loud voice, Jesus said, `Father, to Thy hands I commit my spirit;' and these things having said, he breathed forth the spirit.

47 And the centurion having seen what was done, did glorify God, saying, `Really this man was righteous;'

48 and all the multitudes who were come together to this sight, beholding the things that came to pass, smiting their breasts did turn back;

49 and all his acquaintances stood afar off, and women who did follow him from Galilee, beholding these things.

50 And lo, a man, by name Joseph, being a counsellor, a man good and righteous,

51 -- he was not consenting to their counsel and deed -- from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who also himself was expecting the reign of God,

52 he, having gone near to Pilate, asked the body of Jesus,

53 and having taken it down, he wrapped it in fine linen, and placed it in a tomb hewn out, where no one was yet laid.

54 And the day was a preparation, and sabbath was approaching,

55 and the women also who have come with him out of Galilee having followed after, beheld the tomb, and how his body was placed,

56 and having turned back, they made ready spices and ointments, and on the sabbath, indeed, they rested, according to the command.

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