# Overview Luke Chapter 23 unfolds the trial, crucifixion, and burial of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], presenting a narrative filled with profound theological and historical significance. The chapter begins with Jesus being brought before #Pilate, the Roman governor, accused of subverting the nation and claiming to be a king. Despite Pilate finding no guilt in Him, the crowd persists, leading Pilate to send Jesus to #Herod, as Jesus was a Galilean. Herod, curious but ultimately mocking Jesus, sends Him back to Pilate. Despite Pilate's repeated attempts to release Jesus, the chief priests and the crowd demand His crucifixion, preferring the release of #Barabbas, a known criminal, over Jesus, highlighting the tragic rejection of the #Messiah by His own people. The chapter then transitions to the crucifixion, where Jesus is led to #Golgotha, the place of the skull. Along the way, #Simon of Cyrene is compelled to carry the cross. Jesus' words to the mourning women of #Jerusalem reflect His concern for the future suffering of the city. On the cross, Jesus is crucified between two criminals, and despite His suffering, He prays for forgiveness for His executioners. The dialogue between Jesus and the repentant thief underscores Jesus’ authority and promise of paradise. As Jesus breathes His last, cosmic signs accompany His death, and the centurion acknowledges His righteousness. The chapter concludes with Jesus’ burial by #Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the council who did not consent to the actions against Jesus, highlighting the fulfillment of prophecy and the preparation for the resurrection to come. ## Theological Insights Luke 23 presents profound theological insights into the nature of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]]' #sacrifice, the fulfillment of prophetic scripture, and the depth of #God's grace and #forgiveness. 1. **The #Innocence of Jesus**: This chapter emphasizes the innocence of Jesus, as seen through the repeated declarations by #Pilate and #Herod that they find no guilt in Him (Luke 23:4, 14-15). This underscores Jesus as the sinless #Lamb of God, a theme also found in [[John/John Chapter 1|John 1:29]], where John the Baptist proclaims Jesus as the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. 2. **Fulfillment of Prophecy**: The events of Jesus' trial and crucifixion fulfill numerous Old Testament prophecies. For instance, Jesus’ silence before His accusers (Luke 23:9) is reminiscent of the prophecy in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 53|Isaiah 53:7]], where the suffering servant is described as being silent like a lamb led to the slaughter. The division of His garments (Luke 23:34) echoes [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 22|Psalm 22:18]], pointing to the scriptural anticipation of these events. 3. **The #Kingdom of God**: Jesus' conversation with the criminal on the cross (Luke 23:39-43) reveals the nature of His kingdom. The criminal's plea, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Luke 23:42), and Jesus’ assurance of paradise highlight the immediate and eternal nature of the kingdom of God, accessible through faith and repentance. This aligns with Jesus' earlier teachings about the kingdom being at hand, as seen in [[Mark/Mark Chapter 1|Mark 1:15]]. 4. **Divine #Forgiveness and Grace**: Jesus' prayer for forgiveness for His executioners, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34), exemplifies the profound grace and forgiveness that are central to the Christian message. This act of forgiveness is mirrored in the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, where believers are called to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them ([[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 5|Matthew 5:44]]). 5. **The #Veil Torn**: The tearing of the temple veil at Jesus’ death (Luke 23:45) signifies the new access to God made possible through Jesus’ sacrifice. This event symbolizes the removal of the barrier between humanity and God, a theme expounded in [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 10|Hebrews 10:19-20]], where believers are encouraged to enter the Holy Place with confidence through the blood of Jesus. 6. **The #Witness of the Centurion**: The centurion’s declaration, "Certainly this was a righteous man" (Luke 23:47), highlights the universal recognition of Jesus' divine nature and righteousness, transcending cultural and religious boundaries. This acknowledgment foreshadows the inclusion of #Gentiles in the early church, as seen in the conversion of Cornelius in [[Acts/Acts Chapter 10]]. Luke 23 encapsulates the depth of Jesus’ sacrificial love, the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, and the transformative power of grace and forgiveness, urging believers to live in light of these truths. ## Thematic Connections ### The Innocence of Jesus and Injustice In #Luke 23, the theme of innocence amidst injustice is prominently displayed. Despite the repeated declarations of innocence by #Pilate (Luke 23:4, 14-15, 22), Jesus is still sentenced to crucifixion. This mirrors the experiences of other righteous individuals in Scripture who suffered unjustly, such as #Joseph in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 39]], who was imprisoned despite his innocence, and #Daniel in [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 6]], who was thrown into the lions' den without wrongdoing. This theme invites reflection on the reality of suffering for righteousness’ sake, as echoed in [[1 Peter/1 Peter Chapter 2|1 Peter 2:19-23]]. ### Fulfillment of Prophecy Jesus’ crucifixion fulfills numerous #OldTestament prophecies, highlighting the continuity of God’s redemptive plan. The mockery and derision Jesus faces in Luke 23:35-39 echo the prophetic words found in [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 22|Psalm 22:7-8]] and [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 53|Isaiah 53:3-7]]. This fulfillment theme is a reminder of God’s sovereign plan, foreshadowed throughout Scripture, culminating in the Messiah’s sacrificial death. ### The Kingship of Jesus Despite the mockery of the crowds and the inscription above Jesus’ head labeling Him as “King of the Jews” (Luke 23:38), the theme of Jesus’ true kingship is a powerful undercurrent. This contrasts with earthly conceptions of kingship, aligning with Jesus’ earlier teachings about His kingdom not being of this world ([[John/John Chapter 18|John 18:36]]). Similarly, the repentant thief’s recognition of Jesus’ kingdom (Luke 23:42) underscores the spiritual nature of His reign, reminiscent of the promise to #David of an everlasting kingdom in [[2 Samuel/2 Samuel Chapter 7|2 Samuel 7:16]]. ### Salvation and Forgiveness The theme of salvation and forgiveness is powerfully illustrated in Jesus' words to the repentant thief, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). This offer of redemption echoes the inclusive message of salvation found throughout the #Gospels and the #NewTestament, as seen in [[John/John Chapter 3|John 3:16]] and [[Ephesians/Ephesians Chapter 2|Ephesians 2:8-9]]. Jesus’ prayer for forgiveness for His executioners (Luke 23:34) also exemplifies His teaching on loving one’s enemies ([[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 5|Matthew 5:44]]), emphasizing grace even in the face of suffering. ### The Veil Torn and Access to God The tearing of the temple veil in Luke 23:45 at the moment of Jesus' death symbolizes the newfound access to God through Christ, a theme explored in [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 10|Hebrews 10:19-20]]. This event marks the end of the old covenant and signifies the establishment of a new way to approach God, fulfilling prophecies about a new covenant in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 31|Jeremiah 31:31-34]]. This theme highlights the transformative power of Jesus’ sacrifice, granting believers direct access to the Father. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Suffering Servant In Luke 23, the narrative of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]]' trial, crucifixion, and death vividly fulfills the prophecy of the suffering servant described in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 53|Isaiah 53]]. Jesus’ silence before His accusers, His unjust trial, and His acceptance of suffering without protest align with Isaiah’s depiction of a servant who is despised, rejected, and afflicted. Jesus' crucifixion fulfills the prophecy that the servant would bear the sins of many, indicating His role as the Messiah who would suffer for humanity’s transgressions. ### The Piercing of the Messiah The crucifixion, particularly the piercing of Jesus' hands and feet, fulfills the prophetic words found in [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 22|Psalm 22:16]], where it is foretold that the Messiah’s hands and feet would be pierced. This graphic fulfillment underscores the Messianic nature of Jesus’ suffering, connecting the physical realities of crucifixion with the ancient psalmist’s prophecy, thus validating Jesus as the long-awaited #Messiah. ### The Mockery and Derision Luke 23 also depicts the mockery and derision Jesus faced, echoing the prophecy in [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 22|Psalm 22:7-8]], where it is said that the righteous one would be mocked and scorned. The taunts of the religious leaders and soldiers, as they challenge Jesus to save Himself if He is the Christ, align with the psalmist’s description of those who would wag their heads and say, "He trusts in the Lord; let Him deliver him." ### Division of Garments The soldiers’ actions in dividing Jesus' garments and casting lots for His clothing fulfill another prophecy from [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 22|Psalm 22:18]]. This act of dividing clothing and casting lots was foretold as part of the suffering the righteous one would endure, thus further affirming Jesus' identity as the prophesied suffering servant. ### The Offering of Vinegar Jesus’ experience of being offered vinegar to drink, as recorded in Luke 23, also fulfills the prophecy found in [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 69|Psalm 69:21]], which states, “They gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” This detail corroborates the fulfillment of Scripture, further emphasizing Jesus’ role as the suffering Messiah whose experiences were foreseen by the psalmists. ### The Darkness Over the Land The darkness that blankets the land during Jesus’ crucifixion fulfills the prophetic imagery of divine judgment found in passages like [[Amos/Amos Chapter 8|Amos 8:9]], where it is declared that darkness would fall over the earth at noon as a sign of God’s judgment. This supernatural event at Jesus' death signifies the gravity of the moment and the fulfillment of God’s prophetic word through the prophets. ### The Giving of the Spirit With Jesus' final words, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit," as recorded in Luke 23, there is a fulfillment of the trust and submission depicted in [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 31|Psalm 31:5]]. This expression of faith in God’s plan and the voluntary surrender of His life highlight the fulfillment of the prophetic psalm, embodying the complete trust and fulfillment of the divine mission by Jesus, the #Son of God. ## Verses - **Luke 23:1** - "Then the entire council took Jesus to #Pilate, the Roman governor." - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27#Matthew 27:2]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 15#Mark 15:1]], [[John/John Chapter 18#John 18:28]]. - **Luke 23:2** - "They began to state their case: 'This man has been leading our people astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming he is the Messiah, a king.'" - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27#Matthew 27:11]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 15#Mark 15:2]], [[John/John Chapter 18#John 18:33]]. - **Luke 23:3** - "So Pilate asked him, 'Are you the king of the Jews?' Jesus replied, 'You have said it.'" - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27#Matthew 27:11]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 15#Mark 15:2]], [[John/John Chapter 18#John 18:37]]. - **Luke 23:4** - "Pilate turned to the leading priests and to the crowd and said, 'I find nothing wrong with this man!'" - See also [[John/John Chapter 18#John 18:38]]. - **Luke 23:5** - "Then they became insistent. 'But he is causing riots by his teaching wherever he goes—all over Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem!'" - **Luke 23:6** - "'Oh, is he a Galilean?' Pilate asked." - **Luke 23:7** - "When they said that he was, Pilate sent him to #Herod Antipas, because Galilee was under Herod’s jurisdiction, and Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at the time." - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 14#Matthew 14:1]]. - **Luke 23:8** - "Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle." - See also [[Luke/Luke Chapter 9#Luke 9:9]]. - **Luke 23:9** - "He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer." - **Luke 23:10** - "Meanwhile, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law stood there shouting their accusations." - **Luke 23:11** - "Then #Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate." - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27#Matthew 27:28]], [[John/John Chapter 19#John 19:2]]. - **Luke 23:12** - "(Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies before, became friends that day.)" - **Luke 23:13** - "Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people," - **Luke 23:14** - "and he announced his verdict. 'You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent.'" - **Luke 23:15** - "'Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty.'" - **Luke 23:16** - "'So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.'" - **Luke 23:17** - "(For it was necessary for him to release one prisoner to them at the festival.)" - **Luke 23:18** - "Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, 'Kill him, and release #Barabbas to us!'" - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27#Matthew 27:16]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 15#Mark 15:7]], [[John/John Chapter 18#John 18:40]]. - **Luke 23:19** - "(Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.)" - **Luke 23:20** - "Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus." - **Luke 23:21** - "But they kept shouting, 'Crucify him! Crucify him!'" - **Luke 23:22** - "For the third time he demanded, 'Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.'" - **Luke 23:23** - "But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed." - **Luke 23:24** - "So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded." - **Luke 23:25** - "As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished." - **Luke 23:26** - "As they led Jesus away, a man named #Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus." - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27#Matthew 27:32]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 15#Mark 15:21]]. - **Luke 23:27** - "A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women." - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27#Matthew 27:55]]. - **Luke 23:28** - "But Jesus turned and said to them, 'Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.'" - **Luke 23:29** - "'For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’'" - **Luke 23:30** - "'People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’'" - See also [[Hosea/Hosea Chapter 10#Hosea 10:8]]. - **Luke 23:31** - "'For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?'" - **Luke 23:32** - "Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him." - **Luke 23:33** - "When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left." - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27#Matthew 27:33]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 15#Mark 15:22]], [[John/John Chapter 19#John 19:17]]. - **Luke 23:34** - "Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.' And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice." - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27#Matthew 27:35]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 15#Mark 15:24]], [[John/John Chapter 19#John 19:23]]. - **Luke 23:35** - "The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. 'He saved others,' they said, 'let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.'" - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27#Matthew 27:42]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 15#Mark 15:31]]. - **Luke 23:36** - "The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine." - **Luke 23:37** - "They called out to him, 'If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!'" - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27#Matthew 27:29]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 15#Mark 15:18]]. - **Luke 23:38** - "A sign was fastened above him with these words: 'This is the King of the Jews.'" - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27#Matthew 27:37]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 15#Mark 15:26]], [[John/John Chapter 19#John 19:19]]. - **Luke 23:39** - "One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, 'So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!'" - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27#Matthew 27:44]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 15#Mark 15:32]]. - **Luke 23:40** - "But the other criminal protested, 'Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die?'" - **Luke 23:41** - "'We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.'" - **Luke 23:42** - "Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.'" - **Luke 23:43** - "And Jesus replied, 'I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.'" - **Luke 23:44** - "By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock." - **Luke 23:45** - "The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle." - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27#Matthew 27:51]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 15#Mark 15:38]]. - **Luke 23:46** - "Then Jesus shouted, 'Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!' And with those words he breathed his last." - See also [[John/John Chapter 19#John 19:30]]. - **Luke 23:47** - "When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, 'Surely this man was innocent.'" - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27#Matthew 27:54]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 15#Mark 15:39]]. - **Luke 23:48** - "And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow." - **Luke 23:49** - "But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching." - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27#Matthew 27:55]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 15#Mark 15:40]]. - **Luke 23:50** - "Now there was a good and righteous man named #Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council," - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 27#Matthew 27:57]], [[Mark/Mark Chapter 15#Mark 15:43]], [[John/John Chapter 19#John 19:38]]. - **Luke 23:51** - "but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come." - **Luke 23:52** - "He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body." - **Luke 23:53** - "Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock." - **Luke 23:54** - "This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin." - **Luke 23:55** - "As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed." - **Luke 23:56** - "Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law." - See also [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 20#Exodus 20:10]].