LUK 23

Jesus Before Pilate

Matt. 27:1-2, 11-14; Mk. 15:1-5; Jn. 18:28-38

1 The whole assembly of the Sanhedrin rose up and brought Jesus before Pilate, the Roman governor.

2 They began to accuse Him, saying, "We have found this man subverting and perverting our nation. He forbids paying taxes to Caesar, and He claims to be Christ—a King."

3 Pilate questioned Jesus directly: "Are You the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered him, "You have said so. The words are yours."

4 Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no basis for guilt in this man. He has committed no crime deserving punishment."

5 But they kept insisting forcefully, "He stirs up the people with His teaching throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee and coming all the way here to Jerusalem."

Jesus Before Herod

6 When Pilate heard this mention of Galilee, he inquired whether the man was a Galilean.

7 When he learned that Jesus fell under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who happened to be in Jerusalem during those days.

8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was extremely glad. He had been wanting to see Him for a long time because he had heard reports about Him. Herod was hoping to see Jesus perform some miraculous sign.

9 Herod questioned Jesus at length with many words, but Jesus gave him no answer whatsoever.

10 The chief priests and scribes stood by, fiercely accusing Jesus.

11 Herod, along with his soldiers, treated Jesus with contempt and mocked Him. They dressed Him in an elegant, shining robe to ridicule His claim to kingship, then sent Him back to Pilate.

12 Herod and Pilate, who had previously been enemies, became friends with each other on that very day.

Jesus Receives a Verdict of Condemnation

Matt. 27:15-26; Mk. 15:6-15; Jn. 18:39–19:16

13 Pilate assembled the chief priests, the ruling authorities, and the people together.

14 He declared to them, "You delivered this man to me with accusations that He was stirring up rebellion among the people. I have conducted a thorough examination in your presence and have discovered no basis for the charges you are levelling against Him.

15 Herod also found nothing worthy of condemnation, which is why he returned Him to us. It is evident that He has committed no offence deserving execution.

16 I will therefore have Him scourged and then set Him free."*

18 But the entire crowd erupted, shouting in one voice, "Remove this man from our sight! Give us Barabbas instead!"

19 Now Barabbas was someone who had been incarcerated for leading an uprising within the city and for committing murder.

20 Pilate spoke to them once more, desiring to set Jesus free.

21 But they continued shouting back, "Crucify! Crucify Him!"

22 A third time Pilate questioned them, "What crime has this man actually committed? I have discovered nothing in Him that warrants the death penalty. I will therefore discipline Him with a beating and let Him go."

23 But they persisted with loud, insistent voices, demanding that He be crucified. Their shouting gained momentum and overpowered all opposition.

24 Then Pilate rendered his verdict, deciding to grant what they were demanding.

25 He freed the man who had been jailed for insurrection and murder—the very one they had requested. But Jesus, he handed over to their will to be crucified.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

Matt. 27:32-44; Mk. 15:21-32; Jn. 19:17-27

26 As they led Jesus away for execution, they grabbed hold of a man named Simon, a native of Cyrene, who was entering the city from the rural areas. They forced him to carry the cross, making him walk behind Jesus.

27 A substantial multitude of people trailed after Him, including women who were beating their breasts and wailing in grief over Him.

28 But Jesus turned towards them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping over Me. Weep instead for yourselves and for your children.

29 For the time is certainly approaching when people will say, 'How blessed are the women who never had children, the wombs that never conceived, and the breasts that never nursed an infant!'

30 At that time people will cry out to the mountains, 'Collapse on top of us!' and to the hills, 'Bury us and conceal us!'

31 For if such things happen to the green tree that is full of vitality, what will become of the dry tree?"

32 Two others, both criminals, were also being taken away to be put to death alongside Jesus.

33 Upon arriving at the location known as The Skull, they crucified Him there along with the criminals—positioning one to His right and one to His left.

34 Jesus spoke these words: "Father, pardon them, for they have no comprehension of what they are doing." The soldiers then proceeded to distribute His garments among themselves by throwing dice.

35 The crowd stood observing the scene. Meanwhile, the religious leaders ridiculed Him with scorn, declaring, "He rescued others from their afflictions. If He truly is God's Messiah, the Chosen One, let Him rescue Himself!"

36 The soldiers likewise mocked Him. They approached and extended sour wine towards Him.

37 They taunted Him, saying, "If You are truly the King of the Jews, deliver Yourself from this cross!"

38 Above Him was posted a placard with this inscription: "This is the King of the Jews."

39 One of the criminals who was hanging there began hurling abuse at Jesus: "Are You not the Christ? Prove it by saving Yourself and us!"

40 But the other criminal responded with a rebuke: "Have you no fear of God whatsoever, considering you are experiencing the identical punishment?

41 Our punishment is entirely just, for we are receiving exactly what our actions have earned. But this man has committed absolutely nothing improper."

42 Then he said, "Jesus, keep me in Your memory when You enter Your royal domain."

43 Jesus replied to him, "I assure you with absolute certainty: this very day you will be with Me in Paradise."

The Death of Jesus

Matt. 27:45-56; Mk. 15:33-41; Jn. 19:28-30

44 By this time it was approximately the sixth hour, and darkness enveloped the entire region until the ninth hour.

45 The sun ceased giving its light. The massive veil of the temple sanctuary split down the centre into two pieces.

46 Jesus cried out in a powerful voice, "Father, into Your care I entrust My spirit!" Having spoken these words, He breathed his last.

47 When the centurion witnessed what had transpired, he began praising God, proclaiming, "This man was certainly righteous and without guilt!"

48 All the crowds that had assembled to observe this spectacle, upon seeing what had occurred, returned to their homes striking their chests in sorrow and regret.

49 All who were acquainted with Jesus, including the women who had accompanied Him from Galilee, stood far off observing these events.

The Burial of Jesus

Matt. 27:57-61; Mk. 15:42-47; Jn. 19:38-42

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin Council—a man of good character and righteousness.

51 He had not given his approval to the Council's plan and their actions against Jesus. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and was eagerly anticipating the arrival of God's kingdom.

52 This man approached Pilate courageously and requested permission to take possession of Jesus' body.

53 After taking the body down, he wrapped it in fine linen fabric and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had previously been buried.

54 This took place on the Preparation Day, with the Sabbath about to commence at sunset.

55 The women who had journeyed with Jesus from Galilee followed closely behind Joseph. They carefully noted the tomb's location and observed exactly how His body was positioned.

56 Then they went back and made preparations of aromatic spices and fragrant ointments. However, they observed the Sabbath rest in accordance with the commandment.

Notes

16 A textual variant present in part of the manuscript tradition incorporates verse 17. Its phrasing, " Now he was duty-bound to release to them one person at the Feast ," serves to bring the narrative into conformity with the synoptic and Johannine parallels (Matt. 27:15; Mk. 15:6; Jn. 18:39)

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