LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:1 Only Rome could sentence someone to death (John 18:31), so the Sanhedrin brought Jesus to Pilate. The charges are now changed from religious (“blasphemy”) to political ones (Luke 23:2). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length,... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:2 BEGAN TO ACCUSE HIM. That is, bring formal charges against him. The religious reasons for Jesus’ condemnation would be of little interest to Rome, so the Sanhedrin changes them to political charges. The first charge, MISLEADING OUR NATION, involves seducing the nation away fro... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:3 Ignoring the first two charges, Pilate focuses on the third and asks, ARE YOU THE KING OF THE JEWS? Jesus’ answer, YOU HAVE SAID SO, repeats his earlier reply (see note on 22:70). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:4 These verses are unique to Luke and emphasize Jesus’ innocence. Pilate’s verdict I FIND NO GUILT is repeated in vv. Luke 23:14 and Luke 23:22. THEY. The chief priests and crowds. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:6 This account is found only in Luke 1:1 (compare Acts 4:27). Both Pilate and Herod Antipas found Jesus innocent (Luke 23:15). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:7 On HEROD Antipas, see notes on 3:1; Matthew 14:1. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:9 Jesus MADE NO ANSWER. Jesus’ silence fulfills Isaiah 53:7. It places the responsibility for his death squarely on his accusers. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:11 Herod and his soldiers dressed Jesus in SPLENDID CLOTHING (compare Mark 15:17) to mock his claim to kingship. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:14 DID NOT FIND THIS MAN GUILTY. For the second time, Pilate acknowledges Jesus’ innocence. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:18 THEY. The chief priests, the rulers, and the people who have been stirred up by them. AWAY WITH THIS MAN, AND RELEASE... BARABBAS assumes knowledge of the custom of releasing a prisoner at the Passover (see Matthew 27:15; Mark 15:6; and the esv footnote on Luke 23:16). “Away... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:22 For the THIRD TIME Pilate affirms Jesus’ innocence (compare vv. Luke 23:4, Luke 23:14). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:25 Luke emphasizes that choosing Barabbas involved releasing one guilty of INSURRECTION AND MURDER and condemning Jesus. HE DELIVERED JESUS OVER TO THEIR WILL. See Luke 9:44; Luke 18:32; Luke 24:7. Pilate gave in to the wishes of the crowd. He condemned Jesus to crucifixion, the... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:26 THEY (the Roman soldiers)... SEIZED ONE SIMON OF CYRENE. Cyrene was a region in North Africa with a large Jewish population. Simon was likely a Jew who had traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover. See notes on Mark 15:21; Acts 13:1. Since he already had been scourged (see note... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:27 Jesus quotes from Zechariah 12:10. THE DAYS ARE COMING. See Luke 19:43; Luke 21:6, Luke 21:22. “BLESSED ARE THE BARREN.” See note on 21:23. In those days, the “reproach” of childlessness (see Luke 1:25) wil [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:32 TWO OTHERS... CRIMINALS fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 53:12. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:33 THE SKULL. In Matthew it is also called Golgotha, a transliteration of the Aramaic word for “skull.” See notes on Matt. 27:33; John 19:17. In Matthew 27:38 and Mark 15:27 the CRIMINALS are called “robbers”; see note on Matt. 27:38. ⇐... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:34 THEY CAST LOTS TO DIVIDE HIS GARMENTS is a clear reference to Psalms 22:18. Casting lots was sometimes used in the OT to discover God’s will, but here it is a form of gambling by the Roman guards. FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO. Jesus follows his own tea... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:35 Luke contrasts the behavior of the Jewish crowds (THE PEOPLE STOOD BY; compare v. Luke 23:48) and the Sanhedrin (BUT THE RULERS SCOFFED). The highest levels of Israel’s establishment seek one more opportunity to insult Jesus. HE SAVED OTHERS; LET HIM SAVE HIMSELF. Compare Psa... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:36 THE SOLDIERS ALSO MOCKED HIM... OFFERING HIM SOUR WINE. This “wine vinegar” was the ordinary wine soldiers drank. Giving him a drink would keep him alive and continue his suffering. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:38 It was customary for the charge against an executed person to be displayed prominently (INSCRIPTION; see notes on Matt. 27:37; Mark 15:26; John 19:20). OVER HIM suggests the cross was shaped like a lowercase “t.” Jesus was crucified on political grounds for claiming to be the... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:39 This material occurs only in Luke. HANGED is a synonym for “crucified” (see Acts 5:30; also Deuteronomy 21:22). JESUS, REMEMBER ME WHEN YOU COME INTO YOUR KINGDOM is both a plea and a confession of faith. PARADISE is another name for heaven, the dwelling place of God and eter... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:44 ABOUT THE SIXTH HOUR... UNTIL THE NINTH HOUR. Noon until 3:00 P.M. (compare Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33). DARKNESS represents lament (Amos 8:9) and divine judgment (Exodus 10:21). Here it is both literal (THE SUN’S LIGHT FAILED) and figurative, probably signifying that Jesus wa... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:46 I COMMIT MY SPIRIT! Jesus’ own human spirit returned to the presence of God the Father (see note on John 19:30; also see Psalms 31:5; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Acts 7:59). HAVING SAID THIS HE BREATHED HIS LAST. See note on John 10:17. ⇐... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:47 A CENTURION is a Roman officer in charge of a hundred men. CERTAINLY THIS MAN WAS INNOCENT. A final expression of Jesus’ innocence (compare v. Luke 23:41; Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:48 BEATING THEIR BREASTS. A sign of grief and repentance (compare Luke 18:13). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:49 ALL HIS ACQUAINTANCES. Jesus’ relatives, friends, and disciples. The WOMEN (see Luke 8:1) are singled out because of their role in the resurrection account (Luke 23:55; Luke 24:1; see John 19:25 and note on John 19:25). ⇐... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:50 A MAN NAMED JOSEPH. See note on Matt. 27:57–60. He is unknown except for this incident, recorded in all four Gospels. The location of ARIMATHEA is not certain, though some identify it as Ramah (or Ramathaim-Zophim; see 1 Samuel 1:19). FROM THE JEWISH TOWN implies that Luke’s... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:52 WENT TO PILATE AND ASKED. As a member of the Sanhedrin, Joseph had greater access to the governor. His request would raise less suspicion and hostility than if Jesus’ family or the disciples had asked. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, le... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:53 THEN HE TOOK IT DOWN. Joseph supervised the removal of Jesus’ body from the cross. A TOMB CUT IN STONE. Joseph’s own tomb (Matthew 27:60; see note on Mark 15:46). Thus Jesus is buried in a rich man’s tomb (fulfilling Isaiah 53:9). WHERE NO ONE HAD... BEEN LAID. Compare John 1... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:54 The DAY OF PREPARATION was the day before the SABBATH, Friday (see notes on John 19:14; 19:31; 19:42). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:55 THE WOMEN... FOLLOWED AND SAW THE TOMB, so that they could return to it later (see Luke 24:1). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 23:56 Because they thought the body was not properly prepared, the women (whom Mark 16:1 identifies as “Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome”) PREPARED SPICES AND OINTMENTS. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, i... [ Continue Reading ]