Luke 23 - The Day the Sun and the Son Stopped Shining!

Luke 23 - NIV

Luke 23 - Enduring Word Commentary

23 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.” 3 So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 4 Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” 5 But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.”6 On hearing this, Pilate 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.

The Roman government would not allow the Jewish people to execute their people. (Guzik) 

The "whole multitude" would consist of at a minimum the Pharisees, chief priests, and elders (70 members of the Sanhedrin). They had to make their case against Jesus, and they definitely embellished the charges. So much for being men of integrity. There was no doubt what Jesus was on trial for. He was on trial for claiming to be a king, and they were hoping that would be big enough threat to Pilate to get rid of him. 

When Jesus did not answer Pilate's question, he realized that Jesus was not guilty of anything. But the religious leaders pleaded their case, so Pilate decided to send him to King Herod, who was the king over Galilee, where Jesus was from. Clearly Pilate did not want to have anything to do with Jesus. 

8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. 9 He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. 11 Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. 12 That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies.

One the other hand, Herod was pleased to see Jesus, because he had heard so much about him. But, in reality Herod was more looking for Jesus entertain him by performing a sign. He was not really interested in Jesus as the Messiah, or at least it did not appear that way. Herod asks Jesus a bunch of questions, but Jesus wasn't budging. He didn't usually answer a question when he knew what kind of motive was behind it. Meanwhile the religious leaders continued to accuse Jesus. 

At this point Herod only wanted to hear from Jesus what he wanted to hear, as he questioned Him with many words. Many today also demand a miracle from Jesus as evidence He is who he said he was. 

When Jesus refused to entertain him, Herod entertained himself by mistreating Jesus. - Guzik

It turns out Herod was not serious at all, because at this point he and his soldiers mocked Jesus. They even dressed him up in a fake robe befitting of a king. Herod and Pilate were never friends but at this point their common interest in Jesus brought them together.

To this point Luke 23 shows three different groups who hated and rejected Jesus.

· Because of fear and envy the religious leaders hated Jesus.

· Pilate knew something of who Jesus was, but was unwilling to make an unpopular stand for Him.

· Herod didn’t even take Jesus seriously; he was only interested in amusement and entertainment. (Guzik)

13 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 in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” [17] 18 But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” 19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) 20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” 22 For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.” 23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

You have probably seen this before, but when you read these verses you see (17) with what appears to be a verse left out. I.e. Not verse 17. You can go to the bottom of the page and it gives an explanation of why the verse has been left out. The bottom line is that there are various groups of manuscripts from different periods of time and translators have to make decisions on what they feel is the most authentic translation.  This science called "textual criticism". In this case the NIV chose to leave out 23:17 which read, "“Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted,” (Matthew 27:15, NASB).

The NASB version left is a very conservative and literal translation. 

Luke 23:17 Some manuscripts include here words similar to Matt. 27:15 and Mark 15:6

More info on why Luke 23:17 was left out of the NiV

The Romans would release one prisoner to the Jewish people at the Passover, which was chosen by the crowd. The idea was to appease them to prevent any potential rioting. 

The irony is that here you have Pilate a Gentile governor is trying to release Jesus, and the Jewish leaders AND Jewish people are calling for him to be crucified. Pilate found no reason to charge him, but the leaders basically forced him into sentencing Jesus for a crime deserving death. The crowd was not just mildly against Jesus but three times they shouted, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" A mob mentality. And for what? 

What did Jesus do to deserve such condemnation? The religious leaders sway them, but Jesus had done nothing to threaten the people. His ministry was about preaching the Good News of the Kingdom and then showing its power through signs, wonders, and miracles. Most of these miracles, especially those of healing, helped a variety of people. I.e. men/women, poor/rich, religious/non-religious, Jew/Gentile! 

We hear a lot about inclusion today (I.e. DEI). We should take our cues from Jesus Christ, who was the most inclusive person who ever lived! 

At the end of the day, Pilate released Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and murderer, and sentenced Jesus, the Son of Man and Son of God. 

The Crucifixion of Jesus

26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then “‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’[b] 31 For 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, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[c] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[d]” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Another random detail is the person who was asked to carry Jesus' cross, presumably because he was too weak to carry it on his own. Simon was from Cyrene in North Africa (modern day Libya). He had made his pilgrimmage (800 miles) to Jerusalem for the Passover. He probably knew very little of Jesus unless the crowds had told him. 

Wonderfully, we have reason to believe that Simon came to know what it really means to take up one’s cross and follow Jesus. There is some evidence to suggest that his sons became leaders among the early Christians (Mark 15:21 and Romans 16:13).

Do not miss this point that Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry Jesus cross, but Jesus calls us to pick up our own cross and follow him. 

It was customary for a great multitude to follow a condemned criminal on his way to crucifixion. It was intended to be a public event. According to the customs of crucifixion, a Roman guard led with a sign that carried the man’s name and crime, calling out the name and the crime along the way to the place of crucifixion. They usually didn’t take the shortest way so as many people as possible could see how the Roman Empire treated its enemies. (Guzik)

We see a moment where Jesus reveals his true character. Instead of being angry at those who were wrongly and unjustly crucified, he prayed to His Father and said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!"

Over the years I have dealt with a lot of people who have had a lot things done to them, which cause them great pain. This has made it tremendously hard for them to forgive those who hurt them. I certainly get the anger and the great challenge it would be to offer forgiveness to them. As his disciples we need to do the things he would do if he were us. This is why Jesus taught the disciples (and us) to pray, "Father forgive us of trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us!"

Then, we see two very different responses to Jesus from the two criminals on his right and his left. Remember these men were both guilty and deserving of their execution. One insulted Jesus and told him to save them. The other criminal rebuked this man. He was aware of his own sin and that Jesus was without sin. He heard Jesus ask the Father for their forgiveness. It changed his life, and he asked Jesus if he would remember him when he came into his kingdom. 

Perhaps this man had heard Jesus preach. Jesus saw this man's sincere heart, his faith, and gave him the greatest promise he could have heard in that moment, "Today you will be with me in paradise!"

This is a great example for the fact that we are saved by faith and not by works. After all this guy didn't have a chance to do any works!

The Death of Jesus

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for 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.”[e] When he had said this, he breathed his last.

At noon, darkness came over the land signifying that Jesus, the Light of the world, was about to be snuffed out. This was the day the Sun and the Son stopped shining. 

"The remarkable darkness all over the earth showed the agony of creation itself in the Creator’s suffering." - Guzik

Another supernatural event happened, as they curtain of the temple was torn in two. The curtain separated the people from the holy place where God dwelt by His Spirit. The temple was torn showing that Jesus' death on the cross would provide the grace necessary to enter into God's presence. Jesus was the way, the truth and the life. The way to the Father had been opened up. Also, it was a sign that God would no longer dwell in stone buildings but in our hearts. 

Jesus' last words were commending His spirit to the Father. Nobody took Jesus' life he laid it down on the cross and gave it up to His Father. 

47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

We have three responses from those gathered at the scene of Jesus' death. 

1. The centurion (a Roman soldier overseeing 100 soldiers) praised God and affirmed that Jesus was a righteous man. 

Surely, this centurion had seen many people crucified before. Yet there was something so remarkable about Jesus that he said something about Him that he could say about no one else.

2. The people who had gathered beat their breasts as a sign of sorrow and went away. I wonder how many of these people were the ones who cried out "Crucify Him!" Perhaps some realized they had done the wrong thing after seeing Jesus' last moments on the cross. 

3. His followers, including the women, stood at a distance. Notice how all of gospels specifically state women were present. Why? Because women were not always included in historical accounts.Jesus valued the women around him, as they were often his most faithful and devoted followers up until the end. 

The Burial of Jesus

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet 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 Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

We meet another important participant in Jesus' last day on earth, Joseph of Arimathea. He was a member of the ruling council of 70 Jewish men, who acted as elders. Remember this group of men were part of the group of leaders who condemned Jesus to death. It says he was, "Waiting for the "kingdom of God". He was waiting expectantly for the Messiah and come to concluded Jesus was the Messiah. 

Customarily, the bodies of crucified criminals were left on their crosses to rot or be eaten by wild animals. But the Jews wanted no such horror displayed during the Passover season, and Romans were known to grant the corpses to friends or relatives for proper burial.

Joseph did not serve Jesus in many ways, but he did serve Him in ways no one else did or could. It was not possible for Peter, James, John, or even the many women who served Jesus to provide a tomb, but Joseph could and did. We must serve God in whatever way we can. - Guzik 

Joseph put Jesus in a tomb cut out from a rock. Because the Sabbath was coming soon, they had to make hasty preparations including this securing this borrowed tomb. This detail is found only in Luke. 

Here are some interesting notes about Jesus' tomb. 

The garden, or orchard, was therefore the property of Joseph (see Note on Matthew 27:33). All the first three Gospels dwell on the fact of its not being, as so many graves were, a natural cavern, but cut, and, as St. Luke’s word implies. to some extent, smoothed and polished. Like almost all Eastern graves, it was an opening made in the vertical face of the rock. (Ellicot)

 In the burial of Christ was nothing of pomp or solemnity. As Christ had not a house of his own, wherein to lay his head, while he lived, so he had not a grave of his own, wherein to lay his body, when he was dead. Our Lord Jesus, who had no sin of his own, had no grave of his own. The Jews designed that he should have made his grave with the wicked, should have been buried with the thieves with whom he was crucified, but God overruled it. (Henry)

Tombs like this were very expensive. It was quite a sacrifice for Joseph of Arimathea to give his tomb to Jesus, but Jesus would only use it for a few days.

In John's version of the story we learn about Nicodemus, who was also part of the Jewish ruling Council (Sanhedrin), and had come to Jesus at night see John 3. Nicodemus was also involved in Jesus' burial, and bought the spices and perfumes to anoint Jesus. 

He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.[e] 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. John 20:39-40

As we conclude chapter 23, we see how God works in unusual ways through unusual people we would not normally think would play such a big part in these last days. The same happens today. God chooses those who are willing to trust and obey his leading to bring in His kingdom. He doesn't always go with the wealthiest, smartest, and best looking people, though he is certainly not against them either.