32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.(A) 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father,(B) forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[a](C) And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.(D)

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him.(E) They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”(F)

36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him.(G) They offered him wine vinegar(H) 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews,(I) save yourself.”

38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.(J)

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”(K)

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”(L)

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[b](M)

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”(N)

The Death of Jesus(O)

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon,(P) 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple(Q) was torn in two.(R) 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice,(S) “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”[c](T) When he had said this, he breathed his last.(U)

47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God(V) and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 23:34 Some early manuscripts do not have this sentence.
  2. Luke 23:42 Some manuscripts come with your kingly power
  3. Luke 23:46 Psalm 31:5

32 Jesus wasn’t the only one being crucified that day. There were two others, criminals, who were also being led to their execution. 33 When they came to the place known as “The Skull,” they crucified Jesus there, in the company of criminals, one to the right of Jesus and the other to His left.

Jesus: 34 [Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.][a]

Meanwhile they were drawing lots to see who would win Jesus’ clothing. 35 The crowd of people stood, watching.

Authorities (mocking Jesus): So He was supposed to rescue others, was He? He was supposed to be God’s Anointed, the Liberating King? Let’s see Him start by liberating Himself!

36 The soldiers joined in the mockery. First, they pretended to offer Him a soothing drink—but it was sour wine.

Soldiers: 37 Hey, if You’re the King of the Jews, why don’t You free Yourself!

38 Even the inscription they placed over Him was intended to mock Him—“This is the King of the Jews!” [This was written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew.][b]

39 One of the criminals joined in the cruel talk.

Cynical Criminal: You’re supposed to be the Anointed One, right? Well—do it! Rescue Yourself and us!

40 But the other criminal told him to be quiet.

Believing Criminal: Don’t you have any fear of God at all? You’re getting the same death sentence He is! 41 We’re getting what we deserve since we’ve committed crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong at all! 42 (turning to Jesus) Jesus, when You come into Your kingdom, please remember me.

Jesus: 43 I promise you that this very day you will be with Me in paradise.

44 At this point, it was about noon, and a darkness fell over the whole region. The darkness persisted until about three in the afternoon, 45 and at some point during this darkness, the curtain in the temple was torn in two.

The tearing of this heavy curtain in the temple is highly symbolic. Because this curtain separated the holiest place in the temple from the rest of the temple, some see in this act a symbol of God opening the way for unholy humans to enter into His holy presence: Jesus’ death brought forgiveness and opened the way for all to come to God. Others see in the curtain’s being torn the opposite meaning: God’s presence can no longer be confined to any single geographical place. The suffering and death of Jesus ended one age of human history, and now a new era has begun. Now God is on the move, at large, invading the whole world. Or perhaps this graphic image means both.

Jesus (shouting out loudly): 46 Father, I entrust My spirit into Your hands![c]

And with those words, He exhaled—and breathed no more.

47 The Centurion[d]one of the soldiers who performed the execution—saw all this, and he praised God.

Centurion: No doubt, this man must have been innocent.

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Footnotes

  1. 23:34 The earliest manuscripts omit this portion.
  2. 23:38 Some early manuscripts omit this portion.
  3. 23:46 Psalm 31:5
  4. 23:47 A Roman military officer in charge of 100 soldiers