Luke 23

Jesus before Pilate

(Matthew 27:11–14; John 18:28–40)

1 Then the whole council rose and led Jesus away to Pilate. ‡ Mat 27:1-2Luk 22:66Mat 27:11-14Mrk 15:1-5Jhn 18:28-38 2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.” ‡ Act 17:6-7Jhn 19:12Luk 23:141Ki 21:10-131Pe 3:16-18Act 16:20-21Act 24:5Jer 20:10 +21

3 So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” ‡ 1Ti 6:13Jhn 1:49Luk 1:32-33Luk 22:70Mrk 15:2Jhn 19:3Luk 19:38-40Luk 23:38 +5

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” ‡ Jhn 18:381Pe 1:191Pe 2:22Heb 7:26Luk 23:14-15Luk 23:22Mrk 15:141Pe 3:18 +3

5 But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people all over Judea with His teaching. He began in Galilee and has come all the way here.” ‡ Jhn 1:43Jhn 2:11Mrk 1:14Mat 4:23Act 10:37Act 23:10Act 5:33Act 7:54 +13

Jesus before Herod

6 When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. ‡ Act 5:37Luk 13:1 7 And learning that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself was in Jerusalem at that time. ‡ Luk 3:1Luk 13:31Mat 14:1

8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see Him perform a miracle. ‡ Luk 9:7-9Mat 14:1Mrk 6:142Ki 5:11Act 8:19Luk 4:232Ki 5:3-6 9 Herod questioned Jesus at great length, but He gave no answer. ‡ Mat 27:141Pe 2:23Act 8:32Isa 53:7Luk 13:32Mat 7:6Psa 38:13-14Psa 39:1-2 +1

10 Meanwhile, the chief priests and scribes stood there, vehemently accusing Him. ‡ Act 24:5Luk 11:53Luk 23:14-15Luk 23:2Luk 23:5 11 And even Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in a fine robe, they sent Him back to Pilate. ‡ Mrk 15:16-20Mat 27:27-30Isa 53:3Psa 69:19-20Jhn 19:5Mrk 9:12Isa 49:7Psa 22:6 +2

12 That day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this time they had been enemies. ‡ Act 4:27Rev 17:13-14Mat 16:1Psa 83:4-6

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

(Matthew 27:15–23; Mark 15:6–11)

13 Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, ‡ Jhn 18:38Mat 27:21-23Mrk 15:14Jhn 19:4 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him. ‡ Dan 6:4Heb 7:26Act 13:28Luk 23:1-2Luk 23:4-5Mat 27:19Mat 27:24Mat 27:4 +115 Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death. 16 Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” ¹ ‡ Mat 27:26Luk 23:22Mrk 15:15Act 16:37Act 5:40-41Isa 53:5Jhn 19:1-4

18 But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” ‡ Act 21:36Act 22:22Act 3:14Jhn 18:39-40Jhn 19:15-16Mrk 15:6-15Mat 27:15-26 19 (Barabbas had been imprisoned for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) ‡ Act 3:14Luk 23:2Luk 23:5

20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again, ‡ Mrk 15:15Jhn 19:12Mat 14:8-9Mat 27:19 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” ‡ Jhn 19:15Luk 23:23Mat 27:22-25Mrk 15:13

22 A third time he said to them, “What evil has this man done? I have found in Him no offense worthy of death. So after I punish Him, I will release Him.” ‡ Luk 23:141Pe 1:191Pe 3:18Luk 23:16Luk 23:20

23 But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices for Jesus to be crucified. And their clamor ²prevailed. ‡ Zec 11:8Psa 57:4Luk 23:5Psa 22:12-13 24 So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met. ‡ Mat 27:26Pro 17:15Exo 23:2Mrk 15:15Jhn 19:1 25 As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and handed Jesus over to their will. ‡ Act 3:14Mrk 15:15Mrk 15:6-71Sa 12:13Luk 23:2Luk 23:5Mat 27:26Jhn 18:40

The Crucifixion

(Psalms 22:1–31; Matthew 27:32–44; Mark 15:21–32; John 19:16–27)

26 As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus. ‡ Mat 27:32-44Mrk 15:21-32Act 13:1Act 2:10Act 6:6Act 6:9Jhn 19:16-17Luk 14:27 +1

27 A great number of people followed Him, including women who kept mourning and wailing for Him. ‡ Luk 8:52Luk 8:2Mrk 15:40Luk 23:55Mat 27:55 28 But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. ‡ Sng 8:4Sng 1:5Sng 2:7Sng 3:10Sng 3:5Sng 5:16Sng 5:8 29 Look, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore, and breasts that never nursed!’ ‡ Mat 24:19Luk 21:23-24Mrk 13:17-19Hos 9:12-16Hos 13:16Deu 28:53-57 30 At that time ‡ Rev 6:16Hos 10:8Isa 2:19Rev 9:6

‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”

and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ ³

31 For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” ‡ 1Pe 4:17-18Jhn 15:6Pro 11:31Ezk 20:47-48Ezk 15:2-7Ezk 21:3-4Mat 3:12Jer 25:29 +3

32 Two others, who were criminals, were also led away to be executed with Jesus. ‡ Mrk 15:27Isa 53:12Mat 27:38Jhn 19:18Heb 12:2Luk 22:37

33 When they came to the place called The Skull, ⁴ they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left. ‡ Mrk 15:22-23Jhn 19:17-18Zec 12:101Pe 2:24Deu 21:23Jhn 18:32Mat 27:33-34Act 13:29 +11

34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” ⁵ And they divided up His garments by casting lots. ⁶ ‡ Mat 5:44Act 7:601Pe 3:91Pe 2:20-23Luk 6:27-28Rom 12:14Gen 50:171Co 2:8 +14

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, ⁷ saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” ‡ Psa 22:17Isa 42:11Pe 2:4Mat 12:18Mrk 15:29-32Isa 53:3Luk 16:14Psa 22:6-8 +14

36 The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine. ⁸ ‡ Psa 69:21Mat 27:48Mat 27:34Mrk 15:36Jhn 19:28-30Luk 23:11Mat 27:29-30Mrk 15:19-20 37 “If You are the King of the Jews,” they said, “save Yourself!”

38 Above Him was posted an inscription: ⁹ ‡ Mat 27:37Mrk 15:26Jhn 19:19-22Luk 23:3Mrk 15:32Jhn 19:3Mat 27:11Mrk 15:18

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. “Are You not the Christ?” he said. “Save Yourself and us!” ‡ Mat 27:44Mrk 15:32Luk 23:35Luk 23:37Luk 17:34-35

40 But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment? ‡ 2Ch 28:22Eph 5:11Jer 5:3Luk 12:5Psa 36:1Rev 15:4Lev 19:17Rev 16:11 41 We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” ‡ Lev 26:40-41Ezr 9:131Pe 1:19Mat 27:24Mat 27:42Ch 33:12Dan 9:4Jas 4:7 +742 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me ¹⁰when You come into Your kingdom!” ‡ Act 16:31Rom 10:9-141Jn 5:11-131Co 6:10-11Luk 12:8Luk 18:13Act 20:211Jn 5:1 +10

43 And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” ‡ Rev 2:7Psa 50:151Ti 1:15-16Luk 19:10Psa 32:5Jhn 14:3Heb 7:25Jhn 17:24 +13

The Death of Jesus

(Psalms 31:1–24; Matthew 27:45–56; Mark 15:33–41; John 19:28–30)

44 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour. ¹¹ ‡ Mat 27:45Mrk 15:33-34Amo 8:9Act 2:20Jhn 19:14Mat 27:52Amo 5:18Mrk 15:39 +445 The sun was darkened, ¹² and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. ‡ Heb 10:19-22Mat 27:51Heb 9:3-8Mrk 15:38Eph 2:14-18Lev 16:12-162Ch 3:14Heb 6:19 +1

46 Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” ¹³ And when He had said this, He breathed His last. ‡ Psa 31:5Act 7:59Jhn 19:301Pe 2:23Mrk 15:34-41Mat 27:46-56

47 When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God, saying, “Surely this was a righteous man. ¹⁴” ‡ Mat 27:54Mrk 15:39Luk 23:41Mat 9:8Jhn 19:7 48 And when all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts. ‡ Luk 18:13Act 2:37Jer 31:19 49 But all those who knew Jesus, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching these things. ‡ Luk 8:2Psa 38:11Luk 23:55Mat 27:55-56Luk 23:27Mrk 15:40-41Mrk 15:47Psa 142:4 +4

The Burial of Jesus

(Isaiah 53:9–12; Matthew 27:57–61; Mark 15:42–47; John 19:38–42)

50 Now there was a Council member named Joseph, a good and righteous man, ‡ Jhn 19:38-42Act 10:22Act 11:24Act 10:2Mat 27:57-61Mrk 15:42-47Luk 2:25 51 who had not consented to their decision or action. He was from the Judean town of Arimathea, and was waiting for the kingdom of God. ‡ Luk 2:25Luk 2:38Gen 37:21-22Gen 42:21-22Gen 49:18Isa 8:12Mrk 15:431Sa 1:1 +352 He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. ‡ Jhn 19:38-42 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had yet been laid. ‡ Mat 27:59-60Isa 53:9Mrk 15:46 54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was beginning. ¹⁵ ‡ Mat 27:62Jhn 19:31Mrk 15:42Jhn 19:14Jhn 19:42

55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how His body was placed. ‡ Luk 23:49Luk 8:2Mat 27:61Mrk 15:47 56 Then they returned to prepare spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath, according to the commandment. ‡ Luk 24:1Mrk 16:1Deu 5:14Exo 20:8-10Exo 31:14Exo 35:2-3Isa 58:13-14Jer 17:24-25 +1