Welcome! It’s Tuesday Bible Study day! Whether you see this on Tuesday or not, I’m glad you’ve come to study with me. If you’re not ready for chapter 23 because you’ve missed others, go here first. We’re near the end of Luke and the danger that was afoot earlier is fully realized here. But we can trust Him. So let’s pray before we study.
Lord Jesus, thank You for these words and the facts that they are all written down so we can read as often and as much as we want to read. I’m asking now, Lord that You would lead us through this chapter and reveal whatever it is You want us to see here. Thank You.
Please read Luke 23:1-7
Jesus before Pilate
1 Then the whole assembly got up and brought Him before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse Jesus, asserting, “We found this Man misleading and perverting our nation and forbidding us to pay taxes to Caesar, and claiming that He Himself is Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), a King.” 3 So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He answered him, “It is just as you say.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this Man.” 5 But they were insistent and said, “He stirs up the people [to rebel], teaching throughout Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as here [in Jerusalem].”
6 When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that He belonged to the jurisdiction of [a]Herod [Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee], he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
Accusations/Rebuttal
1) Jesus never lead anyone astray. Yes, he talked in stories to the people to make learning what He said hidden for those who did not believe, but He did not mislead anyone.
2) Perverting our nation? – (altering from its original course, meaning, or state to a distortion or corruption of what was first intended.) Not true. His words were healing, helping, changing lives and turning people toward God. Which was the intention of that nation, way back at the beginning. It was they who taught rules even God didn’t set to burden people and make them legalistic and unbelievers.
3) forbidding we pay Caesar? Not true, His words, “Give Caesar what is Caesar’s and God what is God’s.”
4) “Claiming Himself as Christ” Do I need to rebut this? He Is Christ. He Is Messiah. He is the Anointed One. The Very Son of God. Who lived, died, rose again and now lives forever. God who seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is invoked, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:20-23 Blessed be His Name. All Glory Be to Him. And the best part? He’s coming back! He will rescue His people. And until He does, He is protecting us. What a wonderful God we have.
He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and the King of the coming Kingdom. The Kingdom we belong to right now. That is if you believe.
Please read Luke 23:8-12
Jesus before Herod
8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time because of what he had heard about Him, and was hoping to see some [miraculous] sign [even something spectacular] done by Him. 9 And he questioned Him at some length, but Jesus made no reply. 10 The chief priests and the scribes were standing there, continually accusing Him heatedly. 11 And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking and ridiculing Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 Now that very day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other—before this they had been enemies.
Wow, Jesus heals that relationship without even revealing His work. That’s amazing. And what can happen in Christ even today.
Please read Luke 23:13-25
Pilate Seeks Jesus’ Release
13 Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought this man before me as one who corrupts and incites the people to rebellion. After examining Him before you, I have found no guilt in this Man regarding the charges which you make against Him. 15 No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and indeed, He has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore I will punish Him [to teach Him a lesson] and release Him.” 17 [b][Now he was obligated to release to them one prisoner at the Feast.]
18 But they [loudly] shouted out all together, saying, “Away with this Man, and release Barabbas to us!” 19 (He was one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection that happened in the city, and for murder.) 20 Pilate addressed them again, wanting to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting out, “Crucify, crucify Him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why, what wrong has He done? I have found no guilt [no crime, no offense] in Him demanding death; therefore I will punish Him [to teach Him a lesson] and release Him.” 23 But they were insistent and unrelenting, demanding with loud voices that Jesus be crucified. And their voices began to prevail and accomplish their purpose. 24 Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand be granted. 25 And he released the man they were asking for who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, but he handed over Jesus to their will.
Sometimes it’s better if we read it all at once, don’t you think. You can see more that way. O Lord, thank You so much for doing all You’ve done for us. I read and think Pilate was so weak of a person he gave in to the mob but I know, Lord, this was why You came. So that we could be with You forever. Oh Lord, how awful this was.
Not guilty but deserving of punishment? No, that offer was a placating offer. Not guilty at all was / is what He is. The Perfect Sinless Savior of the World. All who just believe.
Please read Luke 23:26-32
Simon Bears the Cross
26 When they led Him away, they seized a man, [c]Simon of [d]Cyrene, who was coming in [to the city] from the country, and [e]placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.
27 Following Him was a large crowd of the people, including women who were mourning and wailing for Him. 28 But Jesus, turning toward them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that have not given birth, and the breasts that have never nursed.’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ 31 [f]For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32 Two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be executed with Him.
Daughters, not women of, daughters. He had such loving words for addresses to people. Always connective words, restorative words.
Please read Luke 23:33-38
The Crucifixion
33 When they came to the place called [g]The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. 34 [h]And Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing His clothes among themselves. 35 Now the people stood by, watching; but even the rulers ridiculed and sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others [from death]; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) of God, His Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him and [cruelly] offering Him sour wine, 37 and sarcastically saying, “If you are [really] the King of the Jews, save Yourself [from death]!” 38 Now there was also an inscription above Him: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
What power He had to forgive even those pounding nails into His ‘hands’. The hands of the Creator. What an amazing gift He offered to all who would just take Him at His word.
Please read Luke 23:39-43
39 One of the criminals who had been hanged [on a cross beside Him] kept hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us [from death]!” 40 But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 We are suffering justly, because we are getting what we deserve for what we have done; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, [please] remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” 43 Jesus said to him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, today you will be with Me in [I]Paradise.”
Our God is worthy of awe and awe is often a kind of fear. He is Holy, so Holy, and He will only give us a certain amount of time before He comes back to gather His people.
Please read Luke 23:44-46
44 It was now about the sixth hour (noon), and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.), 45 because the sun was [j]obscured; and the veil [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was [k]torn in two [from top to bottom]. 46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!” Having said this, He breathed His last.
I hope you’re reading the footnotes. Yet even if you don’t, this was the moment we’ve all been waiting for, total forgiveness and access personally to God. The saddest moment is also the best moment, because He saved us, restored our connection to God and is our always with us Lord and Savior even today.
Please read Luke 23:47-49
47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he began praising and honoring God, saying, “Certainly this Man was innocent.” 48 All the crowds who had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had happened, began to return [to their homes], beating their breasts [as a sign of mourning or repentance]. 49 And all His acquaintances and the women who had accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a distance, watching these things.
Sure, if you’re really familiar with all the gospels, those words might seem different, they are but nobody knows which is more accurate. So just go with it, Luke knew what he was writing. We can only hope those who went away in repentance really were repentant and came to faith.
Please read Luke 23:50-56
Jesus Is Buried
50 A man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), a good and honorable man 51 (he had not consented to the Council’s plan and action) a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for and expecting the kingdom of God; 52 this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 And [after receiving permission] he took it down and wrapped it in a linen [burial] cloth and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had yet been laid. 54 It was the day of preparation [for the Sabbath], and the Sabbath was dawning. 55 Now the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed [closely], and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. 56 Then they went back and prepared spices and ointments and sweet-smelling herbs.
And on the Sabbath they rested in accordance with the commandment [forbidding work].
See how even in grief they were careful not to break any ‘laws’. The Day is coming, but first, the day to come to faith.
Footnotes
[a] Luke 23:7 See note Matt 22:17.
[b] Luke 23:17 Most early mss do not contain this verse.
[c] Luke 23:26 The father of Alexander and Rufus, disciples in Rome.
[d] Luke 23:26 A port city in north Africa.
[e] Luke 23:26 The crossbeam was usually placed on the nape of the neck like a yoke.
[f] Luke 23:31 A proverb meaning if the innocent has to suffer what will happen to the guilty.
[g] Luke 23:33 Latin: Calvarius; or Calvary; Aram: Golgotha; Greek: Kranion.
[h] Luke 23:34 Some early mss do not contain the words “And Jesus was saying…doing.”
[i] Luke 23:43 I.e. possibly the third heaven, the special place or “garden” (Gen 2:8-10) between death and resurrection.
[j] Luke 23:45 Lit failing. The language that Luke uses is found elsewhere in Greek literature to describe an eclipse.
[k] Luke 23:45 The tearing of the veil established the institution of a new, direct way of communication between God and mankind. The sacrificial death of Christ nullified the need for priestly intervention between God and man, and abolished the need for animal sacrifice.