Luke 23

23:1

Then the whole council rose and led Jesus away to Pilate.

23:2

And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”

23:3

So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.

23:4

Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

23:5

But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people all over Judea with His teaching. He began in Galilee and has come all the way here.”

23:6

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

23:7

And learning that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself was in Jerusalem at that time.

23:8

When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see Him perform a miracle.

23:9

Herod questioned Jesus at great length, but He gave no answer.

23:10

Meanwhile, the chief priests and scribes stood there, vehemently accusing Him.

23:11

And even Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in a fine robe, they sent Him back to Pilate.

23:12

That day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this time they had been enemies.

23:13

Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,

23:14

and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him.

23:15

Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death.

23:16

Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”

23:17

23:18

But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”

23:19

(Barabbas had been imprisoned for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

23:20

Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again,

23:21

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

23:22

A third time he said to them, “What evil has this man done? I have found in Him no offense worthy of death. So after I punish Him, I will release Him.”

23:23

But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices for Jesus to be crucified. And their clamor prevailed.

23:24

So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met.

23:25

As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and handed Jesus over to their will.

23:26

As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.

23:27

A great number of people followed Him, including women who kept mourning and wailing for Him.

23:28

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

23:29

Look, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore, and breasts that never nursed!’

23:30

At that time ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’

23:31

For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

23:32

Two others, who were criminals, were also led away to be executed with Jesus.

23:33

When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left.

23:34

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.

23:35

The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”

23:36

The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine.

23:37

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

23:38

Above Him was posted an inscription: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

23:39

One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. “Are You not the Christ?” he said. “Save Yourself and us!”

23:40

But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment?

23:41

We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

23:42

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

23:43

And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

23:44

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour.

23:45

The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle.

23:46

Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last.

23:47

When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God, saying, “Surely this was a righteous man.”

23:48

And when all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts.

23:49

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

23:50

Now there was a Council member named Joseph, a good and righteous man,

23:51

who had not consented to their decision or action. He was from the Judean town of Arimathea, and was waiting for the kingdom of God.

23:52

He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.

23:53

Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had yet been laid.

23:54

It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was beginning.

23:55

The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how His body was placed.

23:56

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