Luke

Chapter 23

Luke 23:1-12
1
 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.
2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
3 And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.
4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.
5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.
6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.
7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

The Jewish mob dragged Christ to Pilate, and in their frenzy began to falsely accuse Christ, yelling, “We found this Man perverting the nation! He was teaching those who would listen not to give tribute to Caesar! In addition, He claims to be the Messiah, a King.”

Imagine being accused of telling the truth! That is what Jews did!

So, Pilate asked him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

And Jesus responded, he answered, “That is what you say.

Jesus neither confirmed nor denied Pilate’s question!

Although He had healed a few Gentiles, Jesus was not sent specifically for that purpose!

Matt 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Jesus was sent to preach the gospel to Israel! It would be left to Paul and his associates to bring the Good News to the Gentile world!

Then, Pilate spoke to the chief Priests and the mob, “I find no fault in this Man.”

However, the mob, even more fiercely, began shouting, “He stirs up people, teaching this heresy throughout the countryside from Galilee to Jerusalem!”

When Pilate heard the reference to Galilee, he asked if Jesus was a Galilean. Galilee did not fall under Pilate’s responsibility! Pilate was looking for a way out of that mess! However, there is no way to avoid the conclusion of God’s prophetic word!

As soon as Pilate perceived that he belonged under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who “happened to” be in Jerusalem at that time. Prophecy does not depend of mere chance!

Herod was glad to finally meet the One he had heard about! He actually hoped to see one of the miracles that he had heard Jesus did!

As Herod began to quiz Jesus, the chief Priests and scribes stood by vehemently accusing Him. Finally, even Herod began to mock the Messiah! Herod ordered the Jesus should be given a gorgeous purple robe, a symbol of royalty, and sent him back to Pilate. This was why Jesus wore that special purple robe!

That same day Pilate and Herod became friends! Prior to this, there was jealous conflict between.

The very appearance of Jesus in society separates people! Those who are called and chosen want to be near Him! Those whose eyes have not been opened to see the Truth! Those whose ears cannot hear the Truth become friendly with others who lack the leading of the Holy Spirit!

Luke 23:13-49
13
 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him.
17 (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)
18 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:
19 (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.
21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.
22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.
23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
24 And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.
25 And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

Pilate called a conference with the chief Priests and others with authority among the Jews.

He told them, “You all have brought Jesus to me charging that He has corrupted the Jews. I, have examined Him with you present, but have not found the basis for your charges! And, neither has Herod, because I sent him to Herod and he did nothing to Him.

“I will order Him to be beaten and released!”

The Roman tradition was that one of the Jews held by the Roman should be released during the Passover. Since the charges against Jesus were obviously false Pilate chose Jesus to be the one released!

However, when the mob became aware of Pilate’s choice they made a great clamor shouting, “Not that man! Release Barabbas!”

Barabbas was being held for sedition and murder! He was an uncommonly cruel person!

However, Pilate, who wanted to release Jesus, spoke to the mob on behalf of Jesus’ release!

But, they cried out, “Crucify, crucify Him!”

Pilate spoke up, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason to sentence Him to death! So, I will have Him beaten and then let Him go!”

But the mob became even more incensed and shouted with more volume insisting that Jesus be crucified! Among those insisting that Jesus die were the chief Priests who served in the Temple! Since it was the Passover Preparation Day the Priests should have been in the Temple, but prophetically they had to renounce their alleigiance to God and call for Jesus’ death as the Lamb of God! Their uproar was so loud that Pilate finally gave the order to do as they required! Jesus would be put to sacrificed on a cross!

Pilate released Barabbas! He then did to Jesus just as the mob desired! The Son of God, the Messiah of Israel would give His life for that of a criminal! Prophecy fulfilled!

As they led Jesus away, the Roman soldiers seized a man named Simon, a man from Cyrene (eastern Libya) to follow Jesus carrying the cross beam!

Many from the crowd followed Jesus, including women! They wept openly for Him! Such mourning was considered to be appropriate! Some actually wept in earnest for the Messiah!

But, Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem don’t cry for Me! Instead, cry for yourselves, and for your children!

The days are coming when they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and those who never gave birth, or nursed an infant!

In those days, they shall cry out to the mountains, Fall on us! And, to the hills, Cover us!

Because, if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done when it is dry?

As Jesus walked to Golgotha, there were two other men, both criminals, who were also scheduled to be put to death. And, when they came to the hill, which we call Calvary, the Roman soldiers crucified Jesus, and the criminals, one on the right hand, and the other on the left!

As they hung on their respective crosses, Jesus looked down at the throng below and said, “Father, forgive them, because they don’t know what they are doing!

As He spoke, the soldiers below cast lots to see which one would claim the Purple robe given to Jesus’ by Herod!

The people who were there to see the public spectacle and the Jewish leaders ridiculed the Lord, the Son of God! In their blind ignorance and stupidity, they raised their voiced against their only Savior they could ever have saying, “He saved others, let Him save Himself, if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” The mob ridiculed Christ Jesus!

And, the Roman soldiers also showed their disrespect coming to Christ, and offering Him vinegar! As they did that they also said, “If You are the king of the Jews, save Yourself!”

An inscription was written on a plaque and placed over his head! On it were letters in Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE Jews!”

One of the criminals who were also being crucified criticized Jesus by saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us!”

But, the other rebuked him saying, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been condemned to die? We were condemned justly! We received the due reward of our misdeeds, but this Man has done nothing improper!”

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

Jesus responded, “Truthfully, today you shall be with Me in paradise!

Many argue about the placement of the coma in that sentence! The debate is useless! That man trusted in Christ Jesus and that trust qualified him to become part of the Kingdom of God!

It was about noon, and a great darkness covered the earth until about three in the afternoon! There was solar eclipse! The veil over the opening into the Holy of Holies was torn open from top to bottom!

At that moment Jesus shouted, “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit!” And, at that He died!

When the Roman centurion in charge of the solders saw what happened, he glorified God saying, “Certainly this was a righteous man.”

And the Jewish mob that had come to see this public execution became very sad! They wandered back into Jerusalem thinking about all they had seen!

All who had followed Him from Galilee, including the women watched at a distance still not understanding what they had witnessed!

Luke 23:50-56
50
 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:
51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.
52 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.
53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

There, at Calvary to witness the crucifixion was a man from Arimathaea named Joseph. He was a good and just man! It must be pointed out that the vote in the Sanhedrin to crucify Jesus was not unanimous! At least Joseph had dissented from the majority! Joseph was one who was eagerly waiting for the Kingdom of God!

Joseph, being a man of some influence in Israel, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body so that it may be given a proper Jewish burial. He took it down from the cross, wrapped it, and placed it in a tomb that was cut into a great stone. That tomb had not been used!

That all happened on what is known as the preparation day. The Sabbath was nearing.

The women who followed Christ from Galilee, followed the burial party to the tomb. Then they returned to Jerusalem to prepare burial spices and ointments.

The women rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment. During the Passover week there may be as many as three Sabbaths! Not all Sabbaths are the weekly Friday night until Saturday night Sabbath! Each of God’s appointed Holydays are Sabbaths!

 

Luke 24
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