Luke 23
GOD’S WORD Translation
Pilate Questions Jesus(A)
23 Then the entire assembly stood up and took him to Pilate.
2 They began to accuse Jesus by saying, “We found that he stirs up trouble among our people: He keeps them from paying taxes to the emperor, and he says that he is Christ, a king.”
3 Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“Yes, I am,” Jesus answered.
4 Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I can’t find this man guilty of any crime.”
Pilate Sends Jesus to Herod
5 The priests and the crowd became more forceful. They said, “He stirs up the people throughout Judea with his teachings. He started in Galilee and has come here.”
6 When Pilate heard that, he asked if the man was from Galilee. 7 When Pilate found out that he was, he sent Jesus to Herod. Herod ruled Galilee and was in Jerusalem at that time.
8 Herod was very pleased to see Jesus. For a long time he had wanted to see him. He had heard about Jesus and hoped to see him perform some kind of miracle. 9 Herod asked Jesus many questions, but Jesus wouldn’t answer him. 10 Meanwhile, the chief priests and the experts in Moses’ Teachings stood there and shouted their accusations against Jesus.
11 Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and made fun of him. They put a colorful robe on him and sent him back to Pilate. 12 So Herod and Pilate became friends that day. They had been enemies before this.
13 Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people. 14 He told them, “You brought me this man as someone who turns the people against the government. I’ve questioned him in front of you and haven’t found this man guilty of the crimes of which you accuse him. 15 Neither could Herod. So he sent this man back to us. This man hasn’t done anything to deserve the death penalty. 16 So I’m going to have him whipped and set free.” [a]
The Crowd Rejects Jesus(B)
18 The whole crowd then shouted, “Take him away! Free Barabbas for us.” 19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for his involvement in a riot that had taken place in the city and for murder.)
20 But because Pilate wanted to free Jesus, he spoke to the people again.
21 They began yelling, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
22 A third time Pilate spoke to them. He asked, “Why? What has he done wrong? I haven’t found this man deserving of the death penalty. So I’m going to have him whipped and set free.”
23 But the crowd pressured Pilate. They shouted that Jesus had to be crucified, and they finally won. 24 Pilate decided to give in to their demand. 25 He freed Barabbas, who had been put in prison for rioting and murdering, because that’s what they wanted. But he let them do what they wanted to Jesus.
Jesus Is Led Away to Be Crucified
26 As the soldiers led Jesus away, they grabbed a man named Simon, who was from the city of Cyrene. Simon was coming into Jerusalem. They laid the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.
27 A large crowd followed Jesus. The women in the crowd cried and sang funeral songs for him. 28 Jesus turned to them and said, “You women of Jerusalem, don’t cry for me! Rather, cry for yourselves and your children! 29 The time is coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the women who couldn’t get pregnant, who couldn’t give birth, and who couldn’t nurse a child.’ 30 Then people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ 31 If people do this to a green tree, what will happen to a dry one?”
32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be executed with him.
The Crucifixion(C)
33 When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified him. The criminals were also crucified, one on his right and the other on his left.
34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” [b]
Meanwhile, the soldiers divided his clothes among themselves by throwing dice.
35 The people stood there watching. But the rulers were making sarcastic remarks. They said, “He saved others. If he’s the Messiah that God has chosen, let him save himself!” 36 The soldiers also made fun of him. They would go up to him, offer him some vinegar, 37 and say, “If you’re the king of the Jews, save yourself!”
38 A written notice was placed above him. It said, “This is the king of the Jews.”
Criminals Talk to Jesus
39 One of the criminals hanging there insulted Jesus by saying, “So you’re really the Messiah, are you? Well, save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal scolded him: “Don’t you fear God at all? Can’t you see that you’re condemned in the same way that he is? 41 Our punishment is fair. We’re getting what we deserve. But this man hasn’t done anything wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom.”
43 Jesus said to him, “I can guarantee this truth: Today you will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus Dies on the Cross(D)
44 Around noon darkness came over the entire land and lasted until three in the afternoon. 45 The sun had stopped shining. The curtain in the temple was split in two.
46 Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.” After he said this, he died.
47 When an army officer saw what had happened, he praised God and said, “Certainly, this man was innocent!” 48 Crowds had gathered to see the sight. But when all of them saw what had happened, they cried and returned to the city. 49 All his friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance and watched everything.
Jesus Is Placed in a Tomb(E)
50 There was a good man who had God’s approval. His name was Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish council, 51 but he had not agreed with what they had done. He was from the Jewish city of Arimathea, and he was waiting for God’s kingdom.
52 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 After he took it down from the cross, he wrapped it in linen. Then he laid the body in a tomb cut in rock, a tomb in which no one had ever been buried. 54 It was Friday, and the day of rest—a holy day, was just beginning.
55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed closely behind Joseph. They observed the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went back to the city and prepared spices and perfumes. But on the day of rest—a holy day, they rested 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
Luke 23
English Standard Version
Jesus Before Pilate
23 (A)Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man (B)misleading our nation and (C)forbidding us to give tribute to (D)Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, (E)a king.” 3 (F)And Pilate asked him, (G)“Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, (H)“You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, (I)“I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, (J)from Galilee even to this place.”
Jesus Before Herod
6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to (K)Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, (L)for he had long desired to see him, (M)because he had heard about him, and he was hoping (N)to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers (O)treated him with contempt and (P)mocked him. Then, (Q)arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And (R)Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.
13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and (S)the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man (T)as one who was misleading the people. And (U)after examining him before you, behold, I (V)did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for (W)he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 (X)I will therefore punish and release him.”[a]
Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified
18 (Y)But they all cried out together, (Z)“Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and (AA)for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? (AB)What evil has he done? (AC)I have found in him no guilt deserving death. (AD)I will therefore punish and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison (AE)for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, (AF)but he delivered Jesus over to their will.
The Crucifixion
26 (AG)And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. 27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were (AH)mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, (AI)the days are coming when they will say, (AJ)‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 (AK)Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For (AL)if they do these things when (AM)the wood is green, what will happen (AN)when it is dry?”
32 (AO)Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 (AP)And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, (AQ)one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, (AR)forgive them, (AS)for they know not what they do.”[b] And they cast lots (AT)to divide his garments. 35 And (AU)the people stood by, watching, (AV)but (AW)the rulers (AX)scoffed at him, saying, (AY)“He saved others; (AZ)let him save himself, (BA)if he is (BB)the Christ of God, (BC)his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and (BD)offering him sour wine 37 and saying, (BE)“If you are (BF)the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 (BG)There was also an inscription over him,[c] “This is (BH)the King of the Jews.”
39 (BI)One of the criminals who were hanged (BJ)railed at him,[d] saying, “Are you not (BK)the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me (BL)when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in (BM)paradise.”
The Death of Jesus
44 (BN)It was now about the sixth hour,[e] and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,[f] 45 while the sun's light failed. And (BO)the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, (BP)calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, (BQ)into your hands I (BR)commit my spirit!” And having said this (BS)he breathed his last. 47 Now (BT)when the centurion saw what had taken place, (BU)he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home (BV)beating their breasts. 49 And all (BW)his acquaintances and (BX)the women who had followed him from Galilee (BY)stood at a distance watching these things.
Jesus Is Buried
50 (BZ)Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he (CA)was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and (CB)laid him in a tomb cut in stone, (CC)where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of (CD)Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.[g] 55 (CE)The women (CF)who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and (CG)prepared spices and ointments.
On the Sabbath they rested (CH)according to the commandment.
Footnotes
- Luke 23:16 Here, or after verse 19, some manuscripts add verse 17: Now he was obliged to release one man to them at the festival
- Luke 23:34 Some manuscripts omit the sentence And Jesus… what they do
- Luke 23:38 Some manuscripts add in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew
- Luke 23:39 Or blasphemed him
- Luke 23:44 That is, noon
- Luke 23:44 That is, 3 p.m.
- Luke 23:54 Greek was dawning
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
