New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Luke 23
1
Then the whole group got up and led Jesus off to Pilate.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 22:66
2
They began to bring charges against Jesus. They said, "We have found this man misleading our people. He is against paying taxes to Caesar. And he claims to be Christ, a king."
Reference
Kingdom
John 19:12
Jeremiah 38:4
Parallel theme
Luke 23:14
Acts 24:5
Psalm 62:4
Jeremiah 20:10
Mark 12:17
Zechariah 11:8
Matthew 22:21
John 18:30
3
So Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "Yes. It is just as you say," Jesus replied.
Reference
Kingdom
John 1:49
Mark 15:2
Mark 15:18
Mark 15:32
Matthew 27:11
John 19:3
Luke 23:38
Parallel theme
1 Timothy 6:13
Luke 22:70
4
Then Pilate spoke to the chief priests and the crowd. He announced, "I find no basis for a charge against this man."
Reference
5
But they kept it up. They said, "His teaching stirs up the people all over Judea. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here."
Reference
Parallel theme
Mark 1:14
John 2:11
John 1:43
Matthew 4:23
Acts 10:37
Acts 7:57
Acts 5:33
Acts 23:10
Acts 7:54
Psalm 57:4
6
When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was from Galilee.
7
He learned that Jesus was from Herod's area of authority. So Pilate sent Jesus to Herod. At that time Herod was also in Jerusalem.
Reference
8
When Herod saw Jesus, he was very pleased. He had been wanting to see Jesus for a long time. He had heard much about him. He hoped to see Jesus do a miracle.
Reference
9
Herod asked him many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer.
Reference
Word
Matthew 27:14
10
The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there. With loud shouts they brought charges against him.
11
Herod and his soldiers laughed at him and made fun of him. They dressed him in a beautiful robe. Then they sent him back to Pilate.
12
That day Herod and Pilate became friends. Before this time they had been enemies.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 4:27
13
Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people.
14
He said to them, "You brought me this man. You said he was turning the people against the authorities. I have questioned him in front of you. I have found no basis for your charges against him.
Reference
15
Herod hasn't either. So he sent Jesus back to us. As you can see, Jesus has done nothing that is worthy of death.
19
Barabbas had been thrown into prison. He had taken part in a struggle in the city against the authorities. He had also committed murder.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 3:14
20
Pilate wanted to let Jesus go. So he made an appeal to the crowd again.
Reference
References Jesus
Mark 15:15
21
But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"
22
Pilate spoke to them for the third time. "Why?" he asked. "What wrong has this man done? I have found no reason to have him put to death. So I will just have him whipped and let him go."
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 23:14
23
But with loud shouts they kept calling for Jesus to be crucified. The people's shouts won out.
Reference
25
He set free the man they asked for. The man had been thrown in prison for murder and for fighting against the authorities. Pilate gave Jesus over to them so they could carry out their plans.
Reference
26
As they led Jesus away, they took hold of Simon. Simon was from Cyrene. He was on his way in from the country. They put a wooden cross on his shoulders. Then they made him carry it behind Jesus.
Reference
27
A large number of people followed Jesus. Some were women whose hearts were filled with sorrow. They cried loudly because of him.
Reference
28
Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children.
29
The time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the women who can't have children! Blessed are those who never gave birth or nursed babies!'
Reference
30
It is written, " 'The people will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" They'll say to the hills, "Cover us!" ' --(Hosea 10:8)
Reference
32
Two other men were also led out with Jesus to be killed. Both of them had broken the law.
Reference
33
The soldiers brought them to the place called The Skull. There they nailed Jesus to the cross. He hung between the two criminals. One was on his right and one was on his left.
Reference
📍 The Skull
34
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them. They don't know what they are doing." The soldiers divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Reference
35
The people stood there watching. The rulers even made fun of Jesus. They said, "He saved others. Let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 22:17
Isaiah 42:1
Isaiah 53:3
Matthew 12:18
Luke 16:14
References God
1 Peter 2:4
37
They said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."
39
One of the criminals hanging there made fun of Jesus. He said, "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself! Save us!"
Reference
40
But the other criminal scolded him. "Don't you have any respect for God?" he said. "Remember, you are under the same sentence of death.
Reference
Parallel theme
Revelation 15:4
Jeremiah 5:3
Ephesians 5:11
Luke 12:5
2 Chronicles 28:22
References God
Psalm 36:1
41
We are being punished fairly. We are getting just what our actions call for. But this man hasn't done anything wrong."
Reference
Parallel theme
Ezra 9:13
43
Jesus answered him, "What I'm about to tell you is true. Today you will be with me in paradise."
Reference
44
It was now about noon. The whole land was covered with darkness until three o'clock.
Reference
Darkness
Matthew 27:45
Amos 8:9
Acts 2:20
Amos 5:18
Psalm 105:28
Joel 2:31
Parallel theme
Matthew 27:52
John 19:14
Mark 15:39
46
Jesus called out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my very life." After he said this, he took his last breath.
Reference
47
The Roman commander saw what had happened. He praised God and said, "Jesus was surely a man who did what was right."
Reference
48
The people had gathered to watch that sight. When they saw what happened, they beat their chests and went away.
Reference
49
But all those who knew Jesus stood not very far away, watching those things. They included the women who had followed him from Galilee.
Reference
51
He had not agreed with what the leaders had decided and done. He was from Arimathea, a town in Judea. He was waiting for God's kingdom.
Reference
52
Joseph went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body.
53
He took it down and wrapped it in linen cloth. Then he put it in a tomb cut in the rock. No one had ever been buried there.
Reference
Chapter Summary
Luke 23 describes the trial, condemnation, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus, presenting His suffering as the climax of His earthly ministry while repeatedly emphasizing His innocence, compassion, and willing submission to God's purpose.
The chapter begins with the religious leaders taking Jesus before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea.
They accuse Him of misleading the nation, opposing taxes to Caesar, and claiming to be a king, attempting to transform a religious dispute into a political case that could justify Roman execution.
Pilate questions Jesus and repeatedly declares that he finds no basis for a capital charge.
When Pilate discovers that Jesus is from Galilee, he sends Him to Herod Antipas, who happens to be in Jerusalem.
Herod questions Jesus and hopes to see Him perform a miracle, but Jesus refuses to answer.
Herod and his soldiers then mock Him, dress Him in an elegant robe, and return Him to Pilate.
Luke notes the unusual result: Herod and Pilate become friends that day, even though they had previously been enemies.
Pilate again attempts to release Jesus, but the crowd demands that Jesus be crucified and that Barabbas, a prisoner associated with rebellion and murder, be released instead.
The contrast is striking: the violent rebel is released while the innocent Jesus is condemned.
Eventually, Pilate gives in to the crowd and hands Jesus over for crucifixion.
On the way to the execution site, the soldiers force Simon of Cyrene to carry Jesus' cross.
A large crowd follows, including women who mourn for Jesus.
Jesus tells them not to weep only for Him but for themselves and their children, pointing toward the severe suffering that would later come upon Jerusalem.
This warning can be understood particularly strongly in light of the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, approximately forty years after Jesus' crucifixion.
Jesus is then crucified at the place called The Skull, between two criminals.
Even during His execution, Jesus demonstrates extraordinary compassion by praying for forgiveness for those responsible for His death.
The rulers, soldiers, and one criminal mock Him, challenging Him to save Himself if He is truly the Messiah.
The other criminal, however, recognizes that he deserves his punishment while Jesus is innocent.
He asks Jesus to remember him when Jesus comes into His kingdom.
Jesus responds with a promise of paradise, showing that salvation is available through trust in Him even at the final moments of life.
From approximately noon until three in the afternoon, darkness covers the land.
The Temple curtain is torn in two, symbolizing a dramatic change in humanity's relationship with God.
Jesus then commits His spirit into the Father's hands and dies.
A Roman centurion witnesses what has happened and declares Jesus innocent, while the crowds leave in grief.
Jesus' followers and the women from Galilee remain nearby, witnessing the events.
Finally, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected council member who has been waiting for the kingdom of God, asks Pilate for Jesus' body.
He places Jesus in a new tomb before the Sabbath begins.
The women observe where the body has been placed, prepare spices and perfumes, and then rest according to the Sabbath commandment.
The chapter therefore ends in apparent defeat and silence: Jesus has been crucified, His body has been buried, and His followers are waiting through the Sabbath.
Yet the careful description of the burial prepares the reader for the extraordinary event that will begin the next chapter.
Historical Timeline
- 8th–7th centuries BC: Biblical prophetic traditions concerning God's suffering servant and divine judgment provide important background for later Christian interpretations of Jesus' death.
- 6th century BC: Jewish prophetic writings continue to develop expectations concerning God's kingdom, restoration, judgment, and salvation.
- 20–19 BC: Herod the Great begins his major expansion and renovation of the Second Temple.
- 4 BC: Herod the Great dies; his kingdom is divided among his sons and successors.
- 4 BC–AD 39: Herod Antipas rules Galilee and Perea.
- AD 26–36: Pontius Pilate serves as Roman prefect of Judea.
- c. AD 30: Jesus is tried before Pilate and Herod, condemned, crucified, dies, and is buried.
- AD 30: The crucifixion takes place during the Passover season, followed by the Sabbath.
- AD 66–70: The First Jewish-Roman War results in the siege and destruction of Jerusalem.
- AD 70: The Second Temple is destroyed by Roman forces under Titus.
Luke 23 presents the crucifixion not simply as the execution of a condemned man but as the profound climax of Jesus' mission, in which His innocence is repeatedly recognized, His enemies mock Him, His followers mourn Him, a repentant criminal receives His promise of paradise, a Roman centurion recognizes His righteousness, and Jesus Himself responds to suffering with forgiveness and complete trust in God, while His burial quietly prepares the way for the resurrection that will be revealed in the following chapter.
The chapter begins with the religious leaders taking Jesus before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea.
They accuse Him of misleading the nation, opposing taxes to Caesar, and claiming to be a king, attempting to transform a religious dispute into a political case that could justify Roman execution.
Pilate questions Jesus and repeatedly declares that he finds no basis for a capital charge.
When Pilate discovers that Jesus is from Galilee, he sends Him to Herod Antipas, who happens to be in Jerusalem.
Herod questions Jesus and hopes to see Him perform a miracle, but Jesus refuses to answer.
Herod and his soldiers then mock Him, dress Him in an elegant robe, and return Him to Pilate.
Luke notes the unusual result: Herod and Pilate become friends that day, even though they had previously been enemies.
Pilate again attempts to release Jesus, but the crowd demands that Jesus be crucified and that Barabbas, a prisoner associated with rebellion and murder, be released instead.
The contrast is striking: the violent rebel is released while the innocent Jesus is condemned.
Eventually, Pilate gives in to the crowd and hands Jesus over for crucifixion.
On the way to the execution site, the soldiers force Simon of Cyrene to carry Jesus' cross.
A large crowd follows, including women who mourn for Jesus.
Jesus tells them not to weep only for Him but for themselves and their children, pointing toward the severe suffering that would later come upon Jerusalem.
This warning can be understood particularly strongly in light of the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, approximately forty years after Jesus' crucifixion.
Jesus is then crucified at the place called The Skull, between two criminals.
Even during His execution, Jesus demonstrates extraordinary compassion by praying for forgiveness for those responsible for His death.
The rulers, soldiers, and one criminal mock Him, challenging Him to save Himself if He is truly the Messiah.
The other criminal, however, recognizes that he deserves his punishment while Jesus is innocent.
He asks Jesus to remember him when Jesus comes into His kingdom.
Jesus responds with a promise of paradise, showing that salvation is available through trust in Him even at the final moments of life.
From approximately noon until three in the afternoon, darkness covers the land.
The Temple curtain is torn in two, symbolizing a dramatic change in humanity's relationship with God.
Jesus then commits His spirit into the Father's hands and dies.
A Roman centurion witnesses what has happened and declares Jesus innocent, while the crowds leave in grief.
Jesus' followers and the women from Galilee remain nearby, witnessing the events.
Finally, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected council member who has been waiting for the kingdom of God, asks Pilate for Jesus' body.
He places Jesus in a new tomb before the Sabbath begins.
The women observe where the body has been placed, prepare spices and perfumes, and then rest according to the Sabbath commandment.
The chapter therefore ends in apparent defeat and silence: Jesus has been crucified, His body has been buried, and His followers are waiting through the Sabbath.
Yet the careful description of the burial prepares the reader for the extraordinary event that will begin the next chapter.
Historical Timeline
- 8th–7th centuries BC: Biblical prophetic traditions concerning God's suffering servant and divine judgment provide important background for later Christian interpretations of Jesus' death.
- 6th century BC: Jewish prophetic writings continue to develop expectations concerning God's kingdom, restoration, judgment, and salvation.
- 20–19 BC: Herod the Great begins his major expansion and renovation of the Second Temple.
- 4 BC: Herod the Great dies; his kingdom is divided among his sons and successors.
- 4 BC–AD 39: Herod Antipas rules Galilee and Perea.
- AD 26–36: Pontius Pilate serves as Roman prefect of Judea.
- c. AD 30: Jesus is tried before Pilate and Herod, condemned, crucified, dies, and is buried.
- AD 30: The crucifixion takes place during the Passover season, followed by the Sabbath.
- AD 66–70: The First Jewish-Roman War results in the siege and destruction of Jerusalem.
- AD 70: The Second Temple is destroyed by Roman forces under Titus.
Luke 23 presents the crucifixion not simply as the execution of a condemned man but as the profound climax of Jesus' mission, in which His innocence is repeatedly recognized, His enemies mock Him, His followers mourn Him, a repentant criminal receives His promise of paradise, a Roman centurion recognizes His righteousness, and Jesus Himself responds to suffering with forgiveness and complete trust in God, while His burial quietly prepares the way for the resurrection that will be revealed in the following chapter.