Luke 23
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 misleading 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 say so.”[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 bright clothing,(L) and sent him back to Pilate. 12 That very day Herod and Pilate became friends.[d](M) Previously, they had been enemies.
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 misleads 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.”[f]
18 Then(R) they all cried out together, “Take this man away!(S) 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 Wanting to release Jesus,(T) Pilate 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?(U) I have found in him no grounds(V) 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(W) Pilate decided to grant their demand(X) 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.(Y)
The Way to the Cross
26 As(Z) they led him away, they seized Simon, a Cyrenian,(AA) who was coming in from the country, and laid the cross(AB) on him to carry behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd of people followed him, including women who were mourning and lamenting him.(AC) 28 But turning to them, Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem,(AD) do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and your children. 29 Look, the days are coming(AE) when they will say, ‘Blessed are the women without children, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed!’(AF) 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ [h](AG) 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”(AH)
Crucified Between Two Criminals
32 Two others—criminals(AI)—were also led away to be executed with him. 33 When(AJ) 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,(AK) forgive(AL) them, because they do not know what they are doing.”[i](AM) And they divided his clothes and cast lots.(AN)
35 The(AO) people stood watching, and even the leaders were scoffing:(AP) “He saved others; let him save himself if this is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One!” (AQ) 36 The soldiers also mocked him. They came offering him sour wine(AR) 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews,(AS) save yourself!”
38 An inscription was above him:[j] This Is the King of the Jews.
39 Then(AT) 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,(AU) 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.”(AV) 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me[l](AW) when you come into your kingdom.”(AX)
43 And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”(AY)
The Death of Jesus
44 It(AZ) 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(BA) 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.”[q](BB) Saying this, he breathed his last.
47 When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify(BC) God, saying, “This man really was righteous!” [r] 48 All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests.(BD) 49 But(BE) all who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance,(BF) watching these things.
The Burial of Jesus
50 There(BG) was a good and righteous man named Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, 51 who had not agreed with their plan(BH) and action. He was from Arimathea, a Judean town, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God.(BI) 52 He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’s 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](BJ) 54 It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.[t] 55 The women(BK) 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.(BL) And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.(BM)
Footnotes
- 23:3 Or “That is true.”
- 23:6 Other mss read heard “Galilee”
- 23:8 Or sign
- 23:12 Lit friends with one another
- 23:16 Gk paideuo; to discipline or “teach a lesson”
- 23:16 Some mss include v. 17: For according to the festival he had to release someone to them.
- 23:23 Other mss add and those of the chief priests
- 23:30 Hs 10:8
- 23:34 Other mss omit Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.”
- 23:38 Other mss add written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew letters
- 23:39 Or began to blaspheme
- 23:42 Other mss add Lord
- 23:44 Lit about the sixth hour
- 23:44 Or whole earth
- 23:44 Lit the ninth hour
- 23:45 Other mss read three, and the sun was darkened
- 23:46 Ps 31:5
- 23:47 Or innocent
- 23:53 Or interred, or laid
- 23:54 Lit was dawning
Luke 23
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 23
Jesus Before Pilate.(A) 1 [a]Then the whole assembly of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 They brought charges against him, saying, “We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Messiah, a king.”(B) 3 Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.”(C) 4 Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, “I find this man not guilty.” 5 But they were adamant and said, “He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to here.”(D)
Jesus Before Herod. 6 [b]On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; 7 and upon learning that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time.(E) 8 Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign.(F) 9 He questioned him at length, but he gave him no answer.(G) 10 The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile, stood by accusing him harshly.(H) 11 [Even] Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate.(I) 12 Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly. 13 Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people 14 and said to them, “You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him,(J) 15 nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime has been committed by him. 16 (K)Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.” [17 ][c]
The Sentence of Death.(L) 18 But all together they shouted out, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us.” 19 (Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had taken place in the city and for murder.) 20 Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus, 21 but they continued their shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” 22 Pilate addressed them a third time, “What evil has this man done? I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.” 23 With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed. 24 The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted. 25 So he released the man who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked, and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished.
The Way of the Cross.[d] 26 (M)As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. 28 (N)Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, 29 for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’ 30 At that time people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’(O) 31 for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?” 32 Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed.
The Crucifixion.(P) 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left.(Q) 34 [Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”][e] They divided his garments by casting lots.(R) 35 The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said,(S) “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God.”(T) 36 Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine(U) 37 they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 [f]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.”(V) 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”(W) 43 He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”(X)
The Death of Jesus.(Y) 44 [g]It was now about noon(Z) 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.(AA) 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.(AB) 47 The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, “This man was innocent[h] beyond doubt.” 48 When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts;(AC) 49 but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events.(AD)
The Burial of Jesus.(AE) 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.(AF) 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.(AG) 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,(AH) 56 they returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils. Then they rested on the sabbath according to the commandment.(AI)
Footnotes
- 23:1–5, 13–25 Twice Jesus is brought before Pilate in Luke’s account, and each time Pilate explicitly declares Jesus innocent of any wrongdoing (Lk 23:4, 14, 22). This stress on the innocence of Jesus before the Roman authorities is also characteristic of John’s gospel (Jn 18:38; 19:4, 6). Luke presents the Jerusalem Jewish leaders as the ones who force the hand of the Roman authorities (Lk 23:1–2, 5, 10, 13, 18, 21, 23–25).
- 23:6–12 The appearance of Jesus before Herod is found only in this gospel. Herod has been an important figure in Luke (Lk 9:7–9; 13:31–33) and has been presented as someone who has been curious about Jesus for a long time. His curiosity goes unrewarded. It is faith in Jesus, not curiosity, that is rewarded (Lk 7:50; 8:48, 50; 17:19).
- 23:17 This verse, “He was obliged to release one prisoner for them at the festival,” is not part of the original text of Luke. It is an explanatory gloss from Mk 15:6 (also Mt 27:15) and is not found in many early and important Greek manuscripts. On its historical background, see notes on Mt 27:15–26.
- 23:26–32 An important Lucan theme throughout the gospel has been the need for the Christian disciple to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Here this theme comes to the fore with the story of Simon of Cyrene who takes up the cross and follows Jesus (see Lk 9:23; 14:27) and with the large crowd who likewise follow Jesus on the way of the cross. See also note on Mk 15:21.
- 23:34 [Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”]: this portion of Lk 23:34 does not occur in the oldest papyrus manuscript of Luke and in other early Greek manuscripts and ancient versions of wide geographical distribution.
- 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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