Luke 23
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jesus Faces Pilate
23 Then(A) their whole assembly rose up and brought Him before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, opposing payment of taxes(B) to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is the Messiah, a King.”
3 So Pilate asked Him,(C) “Are You the King of the Jews?”(D)
He answered him, “You have said it.”[a]
4 Pilate then told the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no grounds(E) for charging this man.”
5 But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people,(F) teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee(G) where He started even to here.”
Jesus Faces Herod Antipas
6 When Pilate(H) heard this,[b] he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 Finding that He was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod,(I) who was also in Jerusalem during those days. 8 Herod was very glad to see Jesus; for a long time he had wanted to see Him because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see some miracle[c] performed by Him. 9 So he kept asking Him questions, but Jesus did not answer him.(J) 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing Him. 11 Then Herod, with his soldiers, treated Him with contempt, mocked(K) Him, dressed Him in a brilliant robe,(L) and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 That very day Herod and Pilate became friends.[d](M) Previously, they had been hostile toward each other.
Jesus or Barabbas
13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people,(N) 14 and said to them, “You have brought me this man as one who subverts the people.(O) But in fact, after examining Him in your presence, I have found no grounds(P) to charge this man with those things you accuse Him of. 15 Neither has Herod, because he sent Him back to us. Clearly, He has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will have Him whipped[e](Q) and then release Him.” [17 For according to the festival he had to release someone to them.][f](R)
18 Then(S) they all cried out together, “Take this man away!(T) Release Barabbas to us!” 19 (He had been thrown into prison for a rebellion that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)
20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus,(U) addressed them again, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify Him!”
22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What has this man done wrong?(V) I have found in Him no grounds(W) for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have Him whipped and then release Him.”
23 But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And their voices[g] won out. 24 So(X) Pilate decided to grant their demand(Y) 25 and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.(Z)
The Way to the Cross
26 As(AA) they led Him away, they seized Simon, a Cyrenian,(AB) who was coming in from the country, and laid the cross(AC) on him to carry behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd of people followed Him, including women who were mourning and lamenting Him.(AD) 28 But turning to them, Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem,(AE) do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and your children. 29 Look, the days are coming(AF) when they will say, ‘The women without children, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed, are fortunate!’(AG) 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’(AH)[h] 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”(AI)
Crucified between Two Criminals
32 Two others—criminals(AJ)—were also led away to be executed with Him. 33 When(AK) they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. [34 Then Jesus said, “Father,(AL) forgive(AM) them, because they do not know what they are doing.”(AN)][i] And they divided His clothes and cast lots.(AO)
35 The(AP) people stood watching, and even the leaders kept scoffing:(AQ) “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One!”(AR) 36 The soldiers also mocked Him. They came offering Him sour wine(AS) 37 and said, “If You are the King of the Jews,(AT) save Yourself!”
38 An inscription was above Him:[j]
THIS IS
THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39 Then(AU) one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at[k] Him: “Aren’t You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!”
40 But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God,(AV) since you are undergoing the same punishment? 41 We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.”(AW) 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me[l](AX) when You come into Your kingdom!”(AY)
43 And He said to him, “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.”(AZ)
The Death of Jesus
44 It(BA) was now about noon,[m] and darkness came over the whole land[n] until three,[o] 45 because the sun’s light failed.[p] The curtain(BB) of the sanctuary was split down the middle. 46 And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit.”(BC)[q] Saying this, He breathed His last.
47 When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify(BD) God, saying, “This man really was righteous!” 48 All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests.[r](BE) 49 But(BF) all who knew Him, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance,(BG) watching these things.
The Burial of Jesus
50 There(BH) was a good and righteous man named Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, 51 who had not agreed with their plan(BI) and action. He was from Arimathea, a Judean town, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God.(BJ) 52 He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Taking it down, he wrapped it in fine linen and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever been placed.[s](BK) 54 It was preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.[t] 55 The women(BL) who had come with Him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how His body was placed. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes.(BM) And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.(BN)
Footnotes
- Luke 23:3 Or That is true; an affirmative oath
- Luke 23:6 Other mss read heard “Galilee”
- Luke 23:8 Or sign
- Luke 23:12 Lit friends with one another
- Luke 23:16 Gk paideuo; to discipline or “teach a lesson”; 1Kg 12:11,14 LXX; 2Ch 10:11,14; perhaps a way of referring to the Roman scourging; Lat flagellatio
- Luke 23:17 Other mss omit bracketed text
- Luke 23:23 Other mss add and those of the chief priests
- Luke 23:30 Hs 10:8
- Luke 23:34 Other mss omit bracketed text
- Luke 23:38 Other mss add written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew letters
- Luke 23:39 Or began to blaspheme
- Luke 23:42 Other mss add Lord
- Luke 23:44 Lit about the sixth hour
- Luke 23:44 Or whole earth
- Luke 23:44 Lit the ninth hour
- Luke 23:45 Other mss read three, and the sun was darkened
- Luke 23:46 Ps 31:5
- Luke 23:48 = mourning
- Luke 23:53 Or interred, or laid
- Luke 23:54 Lit was dawning; not in the morning but at sundown Friday
Luke 23
Darby Translation
23 And the whole multitude of them, rising up, led him to Pilate.
2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We have found this [man] perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ, a king.
3 And Pilate demanded of him saying, Art *thou* the king of the Jews? And he answering him said, Thou sayest.
4 And Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, I find no guilt in this man.
5 But they insisted, saying, He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee even on to here.
6 But Pilate, having heard Galilee [named], demanded if the man were a Galilaean;
7 and having learned that he was of Herod's jurisdiction, remitted him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem in those days.
8 And when Herod saw Jesus he greatly rejoiced, for he had been a long while desirous of seeing him, because of hearing many things concerning him, and he hoped to see some sign done by him;
9 and he questioned him in many words, but *he* answered him nothing.
10 And the chief priests and the scribes stood and accused him violently.
11 And Herod with his troops having set him at nought and mocked him, having put a splendid robe upon him, sent him back to Pilate.
12 And Pilate and Herod became friends with one another the same day, for they had been at enmity before between themselves.
13 And Pilate, having called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
14 said to them, Ye have brought to me this man as turning away the people [to rebellion], and behold, I, having examined him before you, have found nothing criminal in this man as to the things of which ye accuse him;
15 nor Herod either, for I remitted you to him, and behold, nothing worthy of death is done by him.
16 Having chastised him therefore, I will release him.
17 ( Now he was obliged to release one for them at the feast.)
18 But they cried out in a mass saying, Away with this [man] and release Barabbas to us;
19 who was one who, for a certain tumult which had taken place in the city, and [for] murder, had been cast into prison.
20 Pilate therefore, desirous to release Jesus, again addressed [them].
21 But they cried out in reply saying, Crucify, crucify him.
22 And he said the third time to them, What evil then has this [man] done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will chastise him therefore and release him.
23 But they were urgent with loud voices, begging that he might be crucified. And their voices [and those of the chief priests] prevailed.
24 And Pilate adjudged that what they begged should take place.
25 And he released him who, for tumult and murder, had been cast into prison, whom they begged for, and Jesus he delivered up to their will.
26 And as they led him away, they laid hold on a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, coming from the field, and put the cross upon him to bear it behind Jesus.
27 And a great multitude of the people, and of women who wailed and lamented him, followed him.
28 And Jesus turning round to them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep over me, but weep over yourselves and over your children;
29 for behold, days are coming in which they will say, Blessed [are] the barren, and wombs that have not borne, and breasts that have not given suck.
30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall upon us; and to the hills, Cover us:
31 for if these things are done in the green tree, what shall take place in the dry?
32 Now two others also, malefactors, were led with him to be put to death.
33 And when they came to the place which is called Skull, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, the other on the left.
34 And Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And, parting out his garments, they cast lots.
35 And the people stood beholding, and the rulers also [with them] sneered, saying, He has saved others; let him save himself if this is the Christ, the chosen one of God.
36 And the soldiers also made game of him, coming up offering him vinegar,
37 and saying, If *thou* be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
38 And there was also an inscription [written] over him in Greek, and Roman, and Hebrew letters: This is the King of the Jews.
39 Now one of the malefactors who had been hanged spoke insultingly to him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost *thou* too not fear God, thou that art under the same judgment?
41 and *we* indeed justly, for we receive the just recompense of what we have done; but this [man] has done nothing amiss.
42 And he said to Jesus, Remember me, [Lord,] when thou comest in thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said to him, Verily I say to thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
44 And it was about [the] sixth hour, and there came darkness over the whole land until [the] ninth hour.
45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple rent in the midst.
46 And Jesus, having cried with a loud voice, said, Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit. And having said this, he expired.
47 Now the centurion, seeing what took place, glorified God, saying, In very deed this man was just.
48 And all the crowds who had come together to that sight, having seen the things that took place, returned, beating [their] breasts.
49 And all those who knew him stood afar off, the women also who had followed him from Galilee, beholding these things.
50 And behold, a man named Joseph, who was a councillor, a good man and a just
51 (this [man] had not assented to their counsel and deed), of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who also waited, [himself also,] for the kingdom of God
52 —he having gone to Pilate begged the body of Jesus;
53 and having taken it down, wrapped it in fine linen and placed him in a tomb hewn in the rock, where no one had ever been laid.
54 And it was preparation day, and [the] sabbath twilight was coming on.
55 And women, who had come along with him out of Galilee, having followed, saw the sepulchre and how his body was placed.
56 And having returned they prepared aromatic spices and ointments, and remained quiet on the sabbath, according to the commandment.
Luke 23
New King James Version
Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate(A)
23 Then (B)the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to (C)Pilate. 2 And they began to (D)accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow (E)perverting [a]the nation, and (F)forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying (G)that He Himself is Christ, a King.”
3 (H)Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
He answered him and said, “It is as you say.”
4 So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, (I)“I find no fault in this Man.”
5 But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from (J)Galilee to this place.”
Jesus Faces Herod
6 When Pilate heard [b]of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. 7 And as soon as he knew that He belonged to (K)Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. 8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, (L)he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because (M)he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. 9 Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him (N)nothing. 10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. 11 (O)Then Herod, with his [c]men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 That very day (P)Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.
Taking the Place of Barabbas(Q)
13 (R)Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, 14 said to them, (S)“You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, (T)having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; 15 no, neither did Herod, for [d]I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. 16 (U)I will therefore chastise Him and release Him” 17 (V)(for[e] it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast).
18 And (W)they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder.
20 Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. 21 But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”
22 Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.”
23 But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men [f]and of the chief priests prevailed. 24 So (X)Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested. 25 (Y)And he released [g]to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
The King on a Cross(Z)
26 (AA)Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.
27 And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. 28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 (AB)For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin (AC)‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’ 31 (AD)For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?”
32 (AE)There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And (AF)when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 [h]Then Jesus said, “Father, (AG)forgive them, for (AH)they do not know what they do.”
And (AI)they divided His garments and cast lots. 35 And (AJ)the people stood looking on. But even the (AK)rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”
36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him (AL)sour wine, 37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”
38 (AM)And an inscription also was [i]written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:
THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39 (AN)Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, [j]“If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done (AO)nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said [k]to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in (AP)Paradise.”
Jesus Dies on the Cross(AQ)
44 (AR)Now it [l]was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was [m]darkened, and (AS)the veil of the temple was torn in [n]two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, (AT)‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” (AU)Having said this, He breathed His last.
47 (AV)So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!”
48 And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned. 49 (AW)But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb(AX)
50 (AY)Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. 51 He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, (AZ)who[o] himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 (BA)Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. 54 That day was (BB)the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.
55 And the women (BC)who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and (BD)they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. 56 Then they returned and (BE)prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath (BF)according to the commandment.
Footnotes
- Luke 23:2 NU our
- Luke 23:6 NU omits of Galilee
- Luke 23:11 troops
- Luke 23:15 NU he sent Him back to us
- Luke 23:17 NU omits v. 17.
- Luke 23:23 NU omits and of the chief priests
- Luke 23:25 NU, M omit to them
- Luke 23:34 NU brackets the first sentence as a later addition.
- Luke 23:38 NU omits written and in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew
- Luke 23:39 NU Are You not the Christ? Save
- Luke 23:42 NU “Jesus, remember me
- Luke 23:44 NU adds already
- Luke 23:45 NU obscured
- Luke 23:45 the middle
- Luke 23:51 NU who was waiting
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
