Thematic Bible

Luke 23:1

Then their whole assembly rose up and brought Him before Pilate.

Luke 23:2

They began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is the Messiah, a King.”

Luke 23:3

So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

He answered him, “You have said it.”

Luke 23:4

Pilate then told the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no grounds for charging this man.”

Luke 23:5

But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where He started even to here.”

Luke 23:6

When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean.

Luke 23:7

Finding that He was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.

Luke 23:8

Herod was very glad to see Jesus; for a long time he had wanted to see Him because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by Him.

Luke 23:9

So he kept asking Him questions, but Jesus did not answer him.

Luke 23:10

The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing Him.

Luke 23:11

Then Herod, with his soldiers, treated Him with contempt, mocked Him, dressed Him in a brilliant robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.

Luke 23:12

That very day Herod and Pilate became friends. Previously, they had been hostile toward each other.

Luke 23:13

Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people,

Luke 23:14

and said to them, “You have brought me this man as one who subverts the people. But in fact, after examining Him in your presence, I have found no grounds to charge this man with those things you accuse Him of.

Luke 23:15

Neither has Herod, because he sent Him back to us. Clearly, He has done nothing to deserve death.

Luke 23:16

Therefore, I will have Him whipped and then release Him.”

Luke 23:17

[For according to the festival he had to release someone to them.]

Luke 23:18

Then they all cried out together, “Take this man away! Release Barabbas to us!”

Luke 23:19

(He had been thrown into prison for a rebellion that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)

Luke 23:20

Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again,

Luke 23:21

but they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify Him!”

Luke 23:22

A third time he said to them, “Why? What has this man done wrong? I have found in Him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have Him whipped and then release Him.”

Luke 23:23

But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And their voices won out.

Luke 23:24

So Pilate decided to grant their demand

Luke 23:25

and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.

Luke 23:26

As they led Him away, they seized Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.

Luke 23:27

A large crowd of people followed Him, including women who were mourning and lamenting Him.

Luke 23:28

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

Luke 23:29

Look, the days are coming when they will say, ‘The women without children, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed, are fortunate!’

Luke 23:30

Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’

Luke 23:31

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

Luke 23:32

Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with Him.

Luke 23:33

When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left.

Luke 23:34

[Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.”] And they divided His clothes and cast lots.

Luke 23:35

The people stood watching, and even the leaders kept scoffing: “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One!”

Luke 23:36

The soldiers also mocked Him. They came offering Him sour wine

Luke 23:37

and said, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!”

Luke 23:38

An inscription was above Him:

THIS IS

THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Luke 23:39

Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at Him: “Aren’t You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!”

Luke 23:40

But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment?

Luke 23:41

We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.”

Luke 23:42

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”

Luke 23:43

And He said to him, “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.”

Luke 23:44

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three,

Luke 23:45

because the sun’s light failed. The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle.

Luke 23:46

And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit. Saying this, He breathed His last.

Luke 23:47

When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify God, saying, “This man really was righteous!”

Luke 23:48

All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests.

Luke 23:49

But all who knew Him, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Luke 23:50

There was a good and righteous man named Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin,

Luke 23:51

who had not agreed with their plan and action. He was from Arimathea, a Judean town, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God.

Luke 23:52

He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.

Luke 23:53

Taking it down, he wrapped it in fine linen and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever been placed.

Luke 23:54

It was preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

Luke 23:55

The women who had come with Him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how His body was placed.

Luke 23:56

Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.