Luke 23
1 Then the whole group got up and took Jesus to Pilate, [the Roman governor].
Then the whole crowd of them rose up and led Him to Pilate.
2 They began to accuse Jesus, saying, “We [(exc)] have determined that this fellow has caused political trouble in our country. He has been [telling people that they should] not pay taxes to the Roman government [MTY]. Also, he says that he is the Messiah, a king!”
And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, declaring himself to be Christ, a king.”
3 Pilate asked him, “Do you [(sg) claim that you are] the King of the Jews?” He replied, “[It is] as you have [just] now said.”
So Pilate questioned Him, saying, “Are you the king of the Jews?” In reply He said to him, “You said it!”
4 Pilate said to the chief priests and [the rest of] the crowd, “I do not conclude that this man is guilty of any crime.”
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.”
5 But they kept insisting, “He is inciting the people [to riot]! He has been teaching his [ideas] throughout all of Judea [district]. He started [doing it] in Galilee [district] and now he is doing it here!”
But they insisted, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to here.”
6 When Pilate heard that, he asked, “Is this man from Galilee [district]?”
When Pilate heard ‘Galilee’, he asked if the man was a Galilean.
7 When they told him that Jesus was [from Galilee, which was the district] that Herod [Antipas] ruled, [he told them] to take Jesus to Herod [Antipas], because Herod was in Jerusalem at that time.
Upon learning that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.
8 [So they did]. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very happy. He [had heard about Jesus], and he had been hoping for a long time that he could see Jesus perform a miracle.
Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was really pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see Him, having heard so many things about Him; and he was hoping to see some miracle performed by Him.
9 So he asked Jesus many questions, but Jesus did not reply [to any of them].
He questioned Him with many words, but He gave him no answer.
10 The chief priests and men who taught the [Jewish] laws stood near Jesus, accusing him very strongly.
On their part, the high priests and scribes stood by, vehemently accusing Him.
11 Then Herod and his soldiers (made fun of/ridiculed) [Jesus]. They put gorgeous clothes on him [to mock him as being a king]. Then Herod sent him back to Pilate.
Then Herod and his soldiers, after ridiculing and mocking Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate.
12 Until that time Herod and Pilate had been very hostile to each other, but that very day they became friends.
(That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other—previously having been at odds with each other.)
13 Pilate then gathered together the chief priests and other [Jewish] leaders and the crowd [that was still there].
Then Pilate, having called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
14 He said to them, “You brought this man to me, saying that he had caused trouble among the people. But [I want you to know that] after having examined him while you were listening, I do not conclude that he is guilty of any of the things that you are accusing him about.
said to them: “You have brought this man to me as one who misleads the people, and yet, having examined him in your presence, I have found no guilt in this man as to those things of which you accuse him.
15 [Obviously] Herod did not [conclude that] either, because he sent him back to me [without punishing him]. [So it] is clear that this man has not done anything for which we [(inc)] should kill him.
Further, neither did Herod (for I sent you on to him); indeed, nothing deserving of death has been done by him.
16 So I will [have my soldiers] flog him and then release him.”
I will therefore flog and release him.”
(It was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast.)
18 But the whole crowd shouted, “Execute this man! Release Barrabas for us [(exc)]!”
But they all cried out together, saying: “Away with this one! Release to us Barabbas!”—
19 Barrabas was a man who had tried to persuade people in the city to rebel [against the Roman government. While doing that], he had murdered [someone]. So he had been put {they had put him} in prison, [where he was waiting to be executed].
who had been thrown into prison for a certain insurrection in the city, and for murder.
20 Because Pilate wanted to release Jesus, he tried to persuade the crowd again.
Then Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again.
21 But they kept shouting, “[Command your soldiers to] kill him by nailing him to a cross!/Have him crucified!”
But they just kept shouting: “Crucify! Crucify him!”
22 He [spoke to them] a third time and asked them, “Why? What crime has he committed? I have concluded that he has done nothing for which he deserves to die. So I will [have my soldiers] flog him and then release him.”
For the third time he said to them: “But what evil has this man done? I have found no reason for death in him. I will therefore flog and release him.”
23 But they kept insisting. They shouted loudly that [Jesus] should be nailed {that [Pilate] should [have his soldiers] nail [Jesus]} to a cross. Finally, because they continued to shout [PRS] [so loudly],
But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified! And their voices, especially of the chief priests, prevailed.
24 Pilate decided to do what the crowd requested.
So Pilate decided to grant their demand.
25 The man who had been {whom they had} put in prison because he had rebelled [against the government] and who had murdered [someone], he released! That was the man whom the crowd had asked him [to release]. He handed Jesus over [to the soldiers], to do what [the crowd] wanted.
He released the one who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
26 As the soldiers were taking [Jesus] away, they seized a man named Simon, [who was] from Cyrene [city in Africa]. He was returning [to Jerusalem] from out in the countryside. They [took from Jesus the cross that he had been carrying. Then] they put it on Simon’s shoulders, and [told him to] carry it behind Jesus.
Now as they led Him away, they conscripted a certain Simon of Cyrene (coming in from a field), and put the cross on him to carry it behind Jesus.
27 A large crowd followed Jesus. The crowd included many women who were beating their breasts [to show how sad they were], and wailing for him.
A considerable crowd of people followed Him, including women who were also mourning and lamenting Him.
28 But Jesus turned to them and said, “You women of Jerusalem, do not cry for me! Instead, cry because of [what is going to happen to] yourselves and your children!
So Jesus turned to them and said: “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; rather weep for yourselves and for your children.
29 I want you to know that there will soon be a time when people will say, ‘Women [SYN] who have never borne children or nursed babies are fortunate!’
Because indeed, the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, even the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’
30 Then, [in order that they will not have to suffer greatly when their enemies destroy this city], people who are left in the city will say to the mountains, ‘Fall down on us!’ And people will say to the hills, ‘Cover us!’
Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’
31 [I am innocent] [MET]. [I am like] a living tree [that people do not try to burn. But the people of Jerusalem deserve that their enemies punish them. They are like] dry wood that is ready to [burn]. So if they [nail me to the cross], ([their enemies] will certainly do much worse things to them!/what worse things will happen to them?) [RHQ]”
For if they do these things in the ‘green tree’, what will happen in the ‘dry’?”
32 Two other men who were criminals were also being led away {[The soldiers] also led away two other men who were criminals}. They were going to be executed {[The soldiers] were going to execute them} [with Jesus].
There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.
33 When they came to the place which is called ‘The Skull’, they nailed [Jesus] to a cross [after removing his clothes]. They did the same thing to the two criminals. They crucified one at the right [side of Jesus] and one at his left [side].
When they arrived at the place called ‘The Skull’, they crucified Him there; also the criminals, one on His right, the other on His left.
34 Jesus prayed, “[My] Father, forgive them, because they do not realize [whom] they are doing [this to]!” Then [the soldiers] divided Jesus’ clothing by gambling with something like dice, [to decide which piece of clothing each one would get].
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”; while they were dividing up His clothes by casting a lot.
35 Many people stood nearby, watching. And the [Jewish] leaders (made fun of/ridiculed) [Jesus], saying, “He [said] [IRO] [that he] saved other people! If he is the Messiah, the one God has chosen, he should save himself!”
Meanwhile the people stood looking on. And especially the rulers among them were sneering, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if such is the Christ, the chosen of God!”
36 The soldiers also ridiculed him because he [claimed to be a king]. They came up to him and offered him some sour wine.
Yes, even the soldiers mocked Him, approaching and offering Him sour wine,
37 They said to him, “If you [(sg)] are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”
and saying, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!”
38 [They] also [fastened on the cross] a sign [that stated] why [they] were nailing him to the cross. [But all it said was], ‘This is the King of the Jews’.
In fact, above Him there was a written notice, in Greek, Latin and Hebrew letters: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39 One of the criminals who was hanging [on a cross] began to insult Jesus, saying, “You [(sg) said that you] are the Messiah, so [you must be powerful]! So save yourself, and save us, too!”
Then one of the hanged criminals started berating Him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!”
40 But the other [criminal] rebuked him, saying, “(You [(sg)] should be afraid of God [punishing you]!/Are you not afraid of God [punishing you]?) [RHQ] They are punishing him [and us] similarly.
But the other reacted and rebuked him, saying: “Don't you even fear God, since you are under the same condemnation?
41 They have justly decided that we [(inc) two] must die. They are punishing us as we deserve [for the evil things that we did]. But this man has done nothing wrong!”
And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward for our deeds; but this man did nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, [please] remember me [and take care of me] when you become king!”
Then he said to Jesus, “Please remember me, Lord, when you come in your kingdom.”
43 Jesus replied, “I want you [(sg)] to know that today you [(sg)] will be with me in the place where everyone is happy!” (OR, that today you will be with me in Paradise!)
Jesus said to him, “I tell you assuredly, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
44 [Then it] was about noontime. It became dark over the whole land, [and it stayed dark] until three o’clock in the afternoon.
Now it was about the sixth hour, and darkness came upon the whole land until the ninth hour.
45 There was no light from the sun. Then the [thick] curtain [that closed off the most holy place] in the Temple split into two pieces. [That signified that ordinary people could now go into the presence of God].
Yes, the sun was darkened; also, the veil of the temple was torn in two.
46 [As that happened], Jesus shouted loudly, “Father, I put my spirit into your care [MTY]!” When he said that, he [EUP] died.
Then, after giving a loud shout, Jesus said, “Father, it is into your hands that I will commit my spirit.” And having said this, He breathed out His spirit.
47 When the officer [who supervised the soldiers who were executing Jesus] saw what happened, he praised God [for the way Jesus died], saying, “[I am] sure that this man had done nothing wrong!”
Well upon seeing what had happened, the centurion glorified God, saying, “Certainly this man was righteous!”
48 When the crowd of people who had gathered to see those events saw what happened, they returned [to their homes], beating their chests [to show that they were sorrowful].
And the whole crowd that had gathered for the spectacle, when they saw what actually happened, went away beating their breasts.
49 All of Jesus’ friends, including the women who had come with him from Galilee [district], stood at a distance and saw everything that happened.
But all His acquaintances, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
50 There was a man named Joseph who [came there]. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea. He was a good and a righteous man, and he was a member of the [Jewish] Council.
Now then, there was a man named Joseph, a good and righteous man, a Council member
51 But he had not agreed with the other Council [members] when they decided [to kill Jesus] and when they [planned how to] do it. He was waiting expectantly for [the time when] God [would send] his king to begin to rule.
(but he had not agreed with their counsel and action), from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was waiting for the Kingdom of God:
52 He went to Pilate and asked [Pilate to permit him] to [take] Jesus’ body [and bury it. After Pilate allowed him to do that],
this man went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body.
53 he [and some others] took [Jesus’ body] down [from the cross]. They wrapped it in a linen cloth. Then they put his body in a tomb that he had [hired others to] dig out of a rock [cliff]. No one had ever put a body in it before.
Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock, where no one had ever been laid.
54 [They had to do it quickly because] that was [Friday], the day when [people] prepared [things for the Jewish day of rest]. (The Sabbath/The day of rest) was about to start [at sunset, so they had to finish burying Jesus’ body before sunset].
It was a Preparation day; the Sabbath was drawing near.
55 The women who had come with [Jesus] from Galilee [district] followed [Joseph and the men who were with him]. They saw the tomb, and they saw how the men laid [Jesus’] body [inside it, and saw the men roll a huge stone across the entrance].
The women who had come with Him from Galilee followed along, and they saw the tomb and how His body was placed there.
56 Then the women returned to the houses [where they were staying. That evening] they prepared spices and ointments to put [on Jesus’ body], but (on the Sabbath/on the Jewish rest day) they rested, according to what [Moses] had commanded.
Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.
