Luke 23
Luke 23
The whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate. Verse 2. They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting the nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”
Verse 3. Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
He answered him, “So you say.”
Verse 4. Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
Verse 5. But they insisted, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place.”
Verse 6. But when Pilate heard Galilee mentioned, he asked if the man was a Galilean. Verse 7. When he found out that he was in Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.
Verse 8. Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard many things about him. He hoped to see some miracle done by him. Verse 9. He questioned him with many words, but he gave no answers. Verse 10. The chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him. Verse 11. Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him. Dressing him in luxurious clothing, they sent him back to Pilate. Verse 12. Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before that they were enemies with each other.
Verse 13. Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, Verse 14. and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one that perverts the people, and behold, having examined him before you, I found no basis for a charge against this man concerning those things of which you accuse him. Verse 15. Neither has Herod, for I sent you to him, and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by him. Verse 16. I will therefore chastise him and release him.”
Verse 17. Now he had to release one prisoner to them at the feast. Verse 18. But they all cried out together, saying, “Away with this man! Release to us Barabbas!”— Verse 19. one who was thrown into prison for a certain revolt in the city, and for murder.
Verse 20. Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus, Verse 21. but they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!”
Verse 22. He said to them the third time, “Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.” Verse 23. But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. Their voices and the voices of the chief priests prevailed. Verse 24. Pilate decreed that what they asked for should be done. Verse 25. He released him who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus up to their will.
Verse 26. When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry it after Jesus. Verse 27. A great multitude of the people followed him, including women who also mourned and lamented him. Verse 28. But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. Verse 29. For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ Verse 30. Then they will begin to tell the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and tell the hills, ‘Cover us.’ Verse 31. For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?”
Verse 32. There were also others, two criminals, led with him to be put to death. Verse 33. When they came to the place that is called “The Skull”, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.
Verse 34. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots. Verse 35. The people stood watching. The rulers with them also scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen one!”
Verse 36. The soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar, Verse 37. and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”
Verse 38. An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
Verse 39. One of the criminals who was hanged insulted him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!”
Verse 40. But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Don’t you even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? Verse 41. And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Verse 42. He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
Verse 43. Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Verse 44. It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. Verse 45. The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. Verse 46. Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Having said this, he breathed his last.
Verse 47. When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous man.” Verse 48. All the multitudes that came together to see this, when they saw the things that were done, returned home beating their chests. Verse 49. All his acquaintances and the women who followed with him from Galilee stood at a distance, watching these things.
Verse 50. Behold, there was a man named Joseph, who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man Verse 51. (he had not consented to their counsel and deed), from Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was also waiting for God’s Kingdom. Verse 52. This man went to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body. Verse 53. He took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was cut in stone, where no one had ever been laid. Verse 54. It was the day of the Preparation, and the Sabbath was drawing near. Verse 55. The women who had come with him out of Galilee followed after, and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Verse 56. They returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.