MSB LUKE Chapter 23

Jesus before Pilate

(Matthew 27:11–14, John 18:28–40)

23 Then the whole council rose [and] led [Jesus] {away} to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this [man] subverting the nation,[fn] forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”

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

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

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.”

Jesus before Herod

6 When Pilate heard of Galilee,[fn] he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 And learning that [Jesus] was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, [who] himself was in Jerusalem at that time.

8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had heard many things[fn] about Him and was hoping to see Him perform a miracle. 9 [Herod] questioned [Jesus] at great [length], but He gave no answer

10 Meanwhile, the chief priests and scribes[fn] stood there, vehemently accusing Him. 11 And even Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked [Him]. Dressing Him in a fine robe, they sent Him back to Pilate.

12 That day Pilate and Herod[fn] became friends before this [time] they had been enemies

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

(Matthew 27:15–23, Mark 15:6–11)

13 Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, 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. 15 Neither [has] Herod, for I sent you back to him.[fn] As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death. 16 Therefore I will punish Him [and] release [Him].”

17 Now [Pilate] was obliged to release to [the people] one [prisoner] at [the] feast.[fn] 18 But they all cried out in unison “Away with this [man]! Release Barabbas to us!” 19 ([Barabbas] had been imprisoned for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again, 21 but they kept shouting “Crucify [Him]! Crucify Him!”

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 But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices for [Jesus] to be crucified. And their clamor and [that] of the chief priests[fn] prevailed. 24 So Pilate sentenced [that] their demand be met. 25 As they had requested, he released[fn] the [one] imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over to their will.

The Crucifixion

(Psalm 22:1–31, Matthew 27:32–44, Mark 15:21–32, John 19:16–27)

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

27 A great number of people followed Him, including women who kept mourning and wailing for Him. 28 But Jesus turned to them [and] said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, {do} not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 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!’

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

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

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

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

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

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

36 The soldiers also mocked Him [and] came up to offer Him sour wine.[fn] 37 “If You are the King of the Jews,” they said, “save Yourself!”

38 Above Him was [posted] an inscription written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:[fn] THIS [IS] THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 One of the criminals who hung [there] heaped abuse on Him. “If You are the Christ,” he said, “save Yourself[fn] and us!”

40 But the other [one] rebuked him, saying, “{Do} you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment? 41 We [ are punished ] justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But [this] man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord,[fn] remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”

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

The Death of Jesus

(Psalm 31:1–24, Matthew 27:45–56, Mark 15:33–41, John 19:28–30)

44 It was now about [the] sixth hour, and darkness came over all the land until [the] ninth hour.[fn] 45 The sun was darkened,[fn] and the veil of the temple was torn down [the] middle.

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

47 When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God, saying, “Surely this was [a] righteous man.[fn]” 48 And [when] all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned [home] beating their breasts. 49 But all those who knew [Jesus], including [the] women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching these things.

The Burial of Jesus

(Isaiah 53:9–12, Matthew 27:57–61, Mark 15:42–47, John 19:38–42)

50 Now [there was] a Council member named Joseph, a good and righteous man, 51 [who] had not consented to their decision [or] action. [He was] from [the] Judean town [of] Arimathea [and] himself[fn] was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 He went to Pilate to ask [for] the body of Jesus. 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. 54 It was Preparation Day, [and the] Sabbath was beginning.[fn]

55 The women who had come with [Jesus] from Galilee followed, [and] they saw the tomb and how His body was placed. 56 Then they returned to prepare spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath, according to the commandment.