Bible Commentaries
Luke 23

Verses 1-5

Christ brought before Pilate. Matthew 27:1-2 ; Matthew 27:11-18 .

Verse 2

Perverting the nation ; exciting the people to rebel against the Roman government.

Give tribute ; pay taxes. The accusation which the Jews brought against Jesus before Pilate was not that of blasphemy in claiming to be the Son of God, for which their council had condemned him. Matthew 26:65 ; it was that of treason against the Roman government. His claiming to be the Son of God was no crime in a Roman court. They could not induce Pilate for this to put him to death. They therefore invented another accusation, and sought false witnesses to support it. So that while they condemned him for what was no crime, they sought to have Pilate condemn him for a crime which he never committed. Justly did he who knew what was in them, say, "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Matthew 23:33 .

Verse 3

Thou sayest it ; Jesus not only acknowledged himself to be the King of the Jews, but explained to Pilate that his kingdom was not of this world; so that he found no fault in him on this ground. John 18:36-37 .

Verse 5

He stirreth up the people ; causing tumults among them.

All Jewry ; the whole Jewish country.

Verse 7

He sent him to Herod ; seeking thus to get rid of the case altogether. This was Herod Antipas, who put John to death. He was son to Herod the Great, under whose reign Christ was born, Matthew 2:1 ; uncle to Herod Agrippa, by whom James was killed, and who was eaten of worms, Acts 12:2 ; Acts 12:23 ; and great-uncle to that Agrippa who was almost persuaded by Paul to become a Christian.

Acts 25:27 .

Verse 9

He answered him nothing ; the Saviour would not answer questions prompted by a vain curiosity, without any desire to know the truth.

Verse 11

Men of war ; the soldiers of his guard.

Set him at naught ; treated him with contempt.

Verse 15

Is done unto him ; rather, is done by him. The two examinations before Pilate and Herod had brought to light no action of Jesus worthy of death.

Verse 16

Chastise ; scourge or whip him.

Verse 17

Of necessity ; it was the custom, and the people would be displeased if he should not comply with it. Matthew 27:15 . This shows the manner in which the word necessity is sometimes used in the Bible.

Verses 18-25

Christ condemned by Pilate. Matthew 27:20-26 .

Verse 22

As civil government is an ordinance of God, established for the protection of the innocent, and the condemnation and punishment of the guilty, magistrates who, against evidence, acquit the guilty and condemn the innocent, are an abomination to the Lord. Injustice under the cover of law is aggravated wickedness. False witnesses and corrupt judges merit, and without repentance will receive a most awful condemnation.

Verse 26

Simon , a Cyrenian ; Matthew 27:32 .

Verse 28

Weep for yourselves , and for your children ; on account of the great calamities that were coming upon them.

Verse 29

Blessed are the barren ; it were better not to have children than to have them exposed to such distresses.

Verse 30

To the mountains , Fall on us ; to shelter us from the wrath of God. Compare Hosea 10:8 ; Revelation 6:16 . They feel that it is better to be crushed beneath the weight of the mountains, than to meet God in judgment, and bear the fierceness of his wrath.

Verse 31

If they do these things in a green tree ; this was a proverb. A green tree represented one innocent and good; a dry tree, those who were wicked. If such distress as that of crucifixion would come upon one who was perfectly innocent, what would be the distress which, under the just indignation of God, would come upon those who were so exceedingly wicked as to murder his beloved Son?

Verse 32

Malefactors ; evil-doers, thieves, robbers, etc. Matthew 27:38 .

Verses 33-49

The crucifixion. Matthew 27:33-56 .

Verse 34

Father , forgive them ; this was a prayer for the pardon of his murderers. Jesus Christ, who was most compassionate and benevolent in his life, was also most kind and forgiving in his death. He desired the everlasting salvation even of his murderers, and for it he was willing to give up his life.

Verse 39

One of the malefactors ; Matthew and Mark speak as if both the robbers had at first reviled him. One however repented, rebuked his companion, confessed the justice of their punishment, and looked to Christ for salvation.

Verse 40

True repentance leads a sinner to feel and acknowledge the justice of his condemnation, and at the same time to look to Jesus for salvation; expecting through him to receive it, that when absent from the body he may be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8 .

Verse 42

When thou comest into thy kingdom ; more literally, When thou comest in the kingdom; that is, when thou comest in glory as the King Messiah. This will be when he shall "appear the second time without sin unto salvation" for all who have believed in him.

Verse 43

Paradise ; the place and state of blessedness.

Verse 50

A counsellor ; a member of the great Jewish council.

Verses 50-56

Christ’s burial. Matthew 27:57-61 .

Verse 51

Deed of them ; the doings of the council in condemning Christ.

Waited for the kingdom of God ; the reign of Jesus as the Messiah. Matthew 3:2 .

Verse 54

That day was the preparation ; the preparation for the solemnities of the next day, which was the Sabbath.