Jesus Brought Before Pilate

23 And the whole assembly of them rose up and[a] brought him before Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us[b] to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying he himself is Christ, a king!” And Pilate asked him, saying, “Are you the king of the Jews?” And he answered him and[c] said, “You say so.” So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” But they insisted, saying, “He incites the people, teaching throughout the whole of Judea and beginning from Galilee as far as here.”

Jesus Brought Before Herod

Now when[d] Pilate heard this,[e] he asked if the man was a Galilean. And when he[f] found out that he was from the jurisdiction of Herod, he sent him over to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem in those days. And when[g] Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by him. So he questioned him at considerable length,[h] but he answered nothing to him. 10 And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers also treated him with contempt, and after[i] mocking him[j] and[k] dressing him[l] in glistening clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And both Herod and Pilate became friends with one another on that same day, for they had previously been enemies of one another.[m]

Pilate Releases Barabbas

13 So Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people 14 and[n] said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people, and behold, when I[o] examined him[p] before you, I found nothing in this man as basis for the accusation which you are making[q] against him. 15 But neither did Herod, because he sent him back to us. And behold, nothing deserving death has been done[r] by him. 16 Therefore I will punish him and[s] release him.”[t] [u] 18 But they all cried out in unison, saying, “Take this man away, and release for us Barabbas!” 19 (who had been thrown in prison because of a certain insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder). 20 And Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them[v][w] again, 21 but they kept crying out, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!” 22 So he said to them a third time, “Why? What wrong has this man done? I found no basis for an accusation deserving death[x] in him. Therefore I will punish him and[y] release him.”[z] 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he be crucified. And their cries prevailed. 24 And Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 And he released the one who had been thrown into prison because of insurrection and murder, whom they were asking for, but Jesus he handed over to their will.

Jesus Is Crucified

26 And as they led him away, they seized Simon, a certain man of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and[aa] placed the cross on him, to carry it[ab] behind Jesus. 27 And a great crowd of the people were following him, and of women who were mourning and lamenting 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, days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that did not give birth, and the breasts that did not nurse!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green,[ac] what will happen when it is dry?”[ad]

32 And two other criminals were also led away to be executed with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called “The Skull,” there they crucified him, and the criminals, the one on his right and the other on his left. 34 [[But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”]][ae] And they cast lots to divide his clothes. 35 And the people stood there watching, but the rulers also ridiculed him,[af] saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if this man is the Christ[ag] of God, the Chosen One!” 36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming up and[ah] offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 And there was also an inscription over him, “This is the king of the Jews.”

39 And one of the criminals who were hanged there reviled him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself—and us!” 40 But the other answered and[ai] rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, because you are undergoing the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve[aj] for what we have done. But this man has done nothing wrong!” 42 And he said, “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 paradise.”

Jesus Dies on the Cross

44 And by this time it was about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour 45 because[ak] the light of the sun failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn apart down the middle. 46 And Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit!”[al] And after he[am] said this, he expired.

47 Now when[an] the centurion saw what had happened, he began to praise[ao] God, saying, “Certainly this man was righteous!” 48 And all the crowds that had come together for this spectacle, when they[ap] saw the things that had happened, returned home[aq] beating their[ar] breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances, and the women who had followed him from Galilee who saw these things, stood at a distance.

Jesus Is Buried

50 And behold, a man named[as] Joseph, who was a member of the council,[at] a good[au] and righteous man 51 (this man was not consenting to their plan and deed), from Arimathea, a Judean town,[av] who was looking forward to the kingdom of God. 52 This man approached Pilate and[aw] asked for the body of Jesus. 53 And he took it[ax] down and[ay] wrapped it in a linen cloth and placed him in a tomb cut into the rock where no one had ever been placed. 54 And it was the day of preparation, and the Sabbath was drawing near. 55 And the women who had been accompanying him from Galilee followed and[az] saw the tomb and how his body was placed. 56 And they returned and[ba] prepared fragrant spices and perfumes, and on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 23:1 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“rose up”) has been translated as a finite verb
  2. Luke 23:2 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  3. Luke 23:3 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  4. Luke 23:6 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  5. Luke 23:6 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  6. Luke 23:7 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“found out”) which is understood as temporal
  7. Luke 23:8 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  8. Luke 23:9 Literally “with many words”
  9. Luke 23:11 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“mocking”) which is understood as temporal
  10. Luke 23:11 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  11. Luke 23:11 Here “and” is supplied to connect the two participles (“mocking” and “dressing”) in keeping with English style
  12. Luke 23:11 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  13. Luke 23:12 Literally “for they had previously existed being at enmity with each other”
  14. Luke 23:14 Here “and” is supplied because the participle in the previous verse (“called together”) has been translated as a finite verb
  15. Luke 23:14 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“examined”) which is understood as temporal
  16. Luke 23:14 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  17. Luke 23:14 Literally “you are accusing”
  18. Luke 23:15 Literally “is having been done”
  19. Luke 23:16 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“punish”) has been translated as a finite verb
  20. Luke 23:16 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  21. Luke 23:16 Many of the most important Greek manuscripts lack v. 17, “Now he was obligated to release for them at the feast one person.”
  22. Luke 23:20 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  23. Luke 23:20 Some manuscripts explicitly state “them”
  24. Luke 23:22 Literally “of death”
  25. Luke 23:22 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“punish”) has been translated as a finite verb
  26. Luke 23:22 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  27. Luke 23:26 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“seized”) has been translated as a finite verb
  28. Luke 23:26 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  29. Luke 23:31 Literally “in the green wood”
  30. Luke 23:31 Literally “in the dry”
  31. Luke 23:34 Many important manuscripts lack v. 34a, “But Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’”
  32. Luke 23:35 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  33. Luke 23:35 Or “Messiah”
  34. Luke 23:36 Here “and” is supplied to connect the two participles (“coming up” and “offering”) in keeping with English style
  35. Luke 23:40 Here “and” is supplied to connect the two participles (“answered” and “rebuked”) in keeping with English style
  36. Luke 23:41 Literally “things worthy”
  37. Luke 23:45 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“failed”) which is understood as causal
  38. Luke 23:46 A quotation from Ps 31:5
  39. Luke 23:46 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“said”) which is understood as temporal
  40. Luke 23:47 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  41. Luke 23:47 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to praise”)
  42. Luke 23:48 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  43. Luke 23:48 The word “home” is not in the Greek text, but is implied
  44. Luke 23:48 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  45. Luke 23:50 Literally “by name”
  46. Luke 23:50 Or “a member of the Sanhedrin”
  47. Luke 23:50 Some manuscripts have “and a good”
  48. Luke 23:51 Literally “a town of the Jews”
  49. Luke 23:52 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“approached”) has been translated as a finite verb
  50. Luke 23:53 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  51. Luke 23:53 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“wrapped”) has been translated as a finite verb
  52. Luke 23:55 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“followed”) has been translated as a finite verb
  53. Luke 23:56 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“returned”) has been translated as a finite verb

23 Then the whole assembly of them got up and conducted [Jesus] before Pilate.

And they began to accuse Him, asserting, We found this [a]Man perverting (misleading, corrupting, and turning away) our nation and forbidding to pay tribute to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), a King!

So Pilate asked Him, Are You the King of the Jews? And He answered him, [[b]It is just as] you say. [I Am.]

And Pilate said to the chief priests and the throngs, I find no guilt or crime in this Man.

But they were urgent and emphatic, saying, He stirs up and excites the people, teaching throughout all Judea—from Galilee, where He began, even to this place.

Upon hearing this, Pilate asked whether the Man was a Galilean.

And when he found out [certainly] that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him up to Herod [a higher authority], who was also in Jerusalem in those days.

Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had eagerly desired to see Him for a long time because of what he had heard concerning Him, and he was hoping to witness some sign (some striking evidence or spectacular performance) done by Him.

So he asked Him many questions, but He made no reply.(A)

10 Meanwhile, the chief priests and the scribes stood by, continuing vehemently and violently to accuse Him.

11 And Herod, with his soldiers, treated Him with contempt and scoffed at and ridiculed Him; then, dressing Him up in bright and gorgeous apparel, he sent Him back to Pilate.(B)

12 And that very day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other—[though] they had been at enmity before this.

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

14 And said to them, You brought this Man before me as One Who was perverting and misleading and [c]turning away and corrupting the people; and behold, after examining Him before you, I have not found any offense (crime or guilt) in this Man in regard to your accusations against Him;

15 No, nor indeed did Herod, for he sent Him back to us; behold, He has done nothing deserving of death.

16 I will therefore chastise Him and [d]deliver Him amended (reformed, taught His lesson) and release Him.

17 [e]For it was necessary for him to release to them one prisoner at the Feast.

18 But they all together raised a deep cry [from the depths of their throats], saying, Away with this Man! Release to us Barabbas!

19 He was a man who had been thrown into prison for raising a riot in the city, and for murder.

20 Once more Pilate called to them, wishing to release Jesus;

21 But they kept shouting out, Crucify, crucify Him!

22 A third time he said to them, Why? What wrong has He done? I have found [no offense or crime or guilt] in Him nothing deserving of death; I will therefore chastise Him [[f]in order to teach Him better] and release Him.

23 But they were insistent and urgent, demanding with loud cries that He should be crucified. And their voices prevailed (accomplished their purpose).

24 And Pilate gave sentence, that what they asked should be done.

25 So he released the man who had been thrown into prison for riot and murder, for whom they continued to ask, but Jesus he delivered up to be done with as they willed.

26 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 and made him carry it behind Jesus.

27 And there accompanied [Jesus] a great multitude of the people, [including] women who bewailed and lamented Him.

28 But Jesus, turning toward them, said, Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.

29 For behold, the days are coming during which they will say, Blessed (happy, fortunate, and [g]to be envied) are the barren, and the wombs that have not borne, and the breasts that have never nursed [babies]!

30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us! and to the hills, Cover (conceal, hide) us!

31 For if they do these things when the timber is green, what will happen when it is dry?

32 Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be executed with Him.(C)

33 And when they came to the place which is called The Skull [Latin: Calvary; Hebrew: Golgotha], there they crucified Him, and [along with] the criminals, one on the right and one on the left.

34 And Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they divided His garments and distributed them by casting lots for them.(D)

35 Now the people stood by [[h]calmly and leisurely] watching; but the rulers scoffed and sneered ([i]turned up their noses) at Him, saying, He rescued others [[j]from death]; let Him now rescue Himself, if He is the Christ (the Messiah) of God, His Chosen One!

36 The soldiers also ridiculed and made sport of Him, coming up and offering Him vinegar (a sour wine mixed with water)(E)

37 And saying, If you are the King of the Jews, save (rescue) Yourself [[k]from death].

38 For there was also an inscription above Him [l]in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew: This is the King of the Jews.

39 One of the criminals who was suspended kept up a railing at Him, saying, Are You not the Christ (the Messiah)? Rescue Yourself and us [[m]from death]!

40 But the other one reproved him, saying, Do you not even fear God, seeing you yourself are under the same sentence of condemnation and suffering the same penalty?

41 And we indeed suffer it justly, receiving the due reward of our actions; but this Man has done nothing out of the way [nothing [n]strange or eccentric or perverse or unreasonable].

42 Then he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come [o]in Your kingly glory!

43 And He answered him, Truly I tell you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.

44 It was now about the sixth hour (midday), and darkness enveloped the whole land and earth until the ninth hour (about three o’clock in the afternoon),

45 While the sun’s light faded or [p]was darkened; and the curtain [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two.(F)

46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit! And with these words, He expired.(G)

47 Now the centurion, having seen what had taken place, [q]recognized God and thanked and praised Him, and said, Indeed, without question, this Man was upright (just and innocent)!

48 And all the throngs that had gathered to see this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned to their homes, beating their breasts.

49 And all the acquaintances of [Jesus] and the women who had followed Him from Galilee stood at a distance and watched these things.

50 Now notice, there was a man named Joseph from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council (the Sanhedrin), and a good (upright, [r]advantageous) man, and righteous (in right standing with God and man),

51 Who had not agreed with or assented to the purpose and action of the others; and he was expecting and waiting 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 [s]rolled it up in a linen cloth [t]for swathing dead bodies and laid Him in a rock-hewn tomb, where no one had ever yet been laid.

54 It was the day of Preparation [for the Sabbath], and the Sabbath was dawning (approaching).

55 The women who had come with [Jesus] from Galilee followed closely and saw the tomb and how His body was laid.

56 Then they went back and made ready spices and ointments (perfumes). On the Sabbath day they rested in accordance with the commandment.(H)

Footnotes

  1. Luke 23:2 Capitalized because of what He is, the spotless Son of God, not what the speaker may have thought He was.
  2. Luke 23:3 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
  3. Luke 23:14 John Wycliffe, The Wycliffe Bible.
  4. Luke 23:16 John Wycliffe, The Wycliffe Bible.
  5. Luke 23:17 Many manuscripts do not contain this verse.
  6. Luke 23:22 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
  7. Luke 23:29 Alexander Souter, Pocket Lexicon.
  8. Luke 23:35 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
  9. Luke 23:35 Literal translation.
  10. Luke 23:35 Hermann Cremer, Biblico-Theological Lexicon.
  11. Luke 23:37 Hermann Cremer, Biblico-Theological Lexicon.
  12. Luke 23:38 Some manuscripts add this phrase.
  13. Luke 23:39 Hermann Cremer, Biblico-Theological Lexicon.
  14. Luke 23:41 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
  15. Luke 23:42 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
  16. Luke 23:45 Many ancient manuscripts so read.
  17. Luke 23:47 Hermann Cremer, Biblico-Theological Lexicon.
  18. Luke 23:50 Hermann Cremer, Biblico-Theological Lexicon.
  19. Luke 23:53 Robert Young, Analytical Concordance.
  20. Luke 23:53 James Moulton and George Milligan, The Vocabulary.