Luke 23

Jesus before Pilate

Luke 23:1–5

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 payment of tax to Cæsar, 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 Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.

Jesus before Herod

Luke 23:6–12

6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilæan.

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 very glad: for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.

9 Then he questioned 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 treated him with contempt, and mocked him, and dressed 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 Crowd Chooses Barabbas

Luke 23:13–25

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 concerning those things of which 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 punish 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 insurrection in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)

20 Pilate therefore, wanting to release Jesus, spoke 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 punish him, and let him go.

23 And they were insistent 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 insurrection and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

The Crucifixion

Luke 23:26–43

26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the countryside, and on him they laid the cross, that he might carry it behind Jesus.

27 ¶ And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also wept for 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 bore children, and the breasts which never nursed.

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 others, criminals, 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 criminals, 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 clothing, 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 an inscription 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 criminals which were hanged insulted 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 wrong.

42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

43 And Jesus said unto him, Truly I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

The Death of Jesus

Luke 23:44–49

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 torn in the middle.

46 ¶ And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I entrust my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up his spirit.

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, beat their chests, and returned.

49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

The Burial of Jesus

Luke 23:50–56

50 ¶ And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a member of the council; and he was a good and just man:

51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathæa, 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 tomb that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

54 And that day was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the tomb, and how his body was laid.

56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.