Luke 23

Jesus Before Pilate

1 Then the whole group got up and brought Jesus to Pilate.

2 They started accusing Him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation, telling people not to pay taxes to Caesar, and claiming He Himself is Christ, a king.”

3 Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “You said it.”

4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I do not find any basis for a charge against this man.”

5 But they kept pushing, saying, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by His teaching, starting from Galilee all the way here.”

Jesus Before Herod

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

7 When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was glad. He had been wanting to see Him for a long time, because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see Him do some kind of sign.

9 He questioned Him with many words, but Jesus gave him no answer.

10 The chief priests and scribes stood there, strongly accusing Him.

11 Then Herod and his soldiers treated Him with contempt and mocked Him. They dressed Him in a bright robe and sent Him back to Pilate.

12 That day Herod and Pilate became friends, even though before they had been enemies.

Jesus Sentenced

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

14 and said, “You brought me this man as one who was leading the people astray. I have examined Him in your presence and found no basis for your charges.

15 Neither has Herod, because he sent Him back to us. Clearly He has done nothing deserving death.

16 So I will punish Him and release Him.”

17 Now Pilate was required to release one prisoner to the people during the feast.

18 But the whole crowd shouted together, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”

19 (Barabbas had been thrown in prison for an uprising in the city and for murder.)

20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate spoke to them again.

21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

22 For the third time he said, “Why, What has this man done wrong, I have found no reason for the death penalty. So I will punish Him and release Him.”

23 But they kept pressing him with loud voices, demanding that He be crucified, and their voices won.

24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand.

25 He released the man who had been thrown in prison for rebellion and murder, the one they asked for, and handed Jesus over to their will.

The Crucifixion

26 As they led Him away, they grabbed a man named Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

27 A large crowd followed Him, including women who were mourning and crying for Him.

28 Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not cry for Me, cry for yourselves and for your children.

29 The time is coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the women who never had children, who never gave birth or nursed.’

30 Then they will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’

31 If people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with Him to be executed.

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

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

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers mocked Him, saying, “He saved others, let Him save Himself if He is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up and offering Him sour wine,

37 saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”

38 There was a written notice above Him: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 One of the criminals hanging there started talking against Him, saying, “Are You not the Messiah, Save Yourself and us!”

40 But the other criminal checked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence,

41 We are getting what we deserve for what we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.”

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

43 Jesus answered him, “I am telling you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise.”

The Death of Jesus

44 It was about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.

45 The sun stopped shining, and the curtain of the temple was torn in two.

46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” After He said this, He breathed His last.

47 When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God and said, “This man really was righteous.”

48 All the crowds that had gathered for this scene, when they saw what took place, went back home beating their chests.

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

The Burial of Jesus

50 There was a man named Joseph, a member of the council, a good and righteous man.

51 He had not agreed with their plan and action. He was from the town of Arimathea, and he was waiting for the kingdom of God.

52 This man went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.

53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock, where no one had ever been laid.

54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed along. They saw the tomb and how His body was laid in it.

56 Then they went back and prepared spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.