Bible Commentaries
Luke 23

Verse 2

We found. In a judicial sense : as the result of their examination before the council.

Verse 5

Were the more fierce [επισχυον] . Only here in New Testament. The verb means, literally, to grow strong. See on ch. Luke 14:30; Luke 16:3. Here the sense is, they were more energetic and emphatic. Rev., urgent. Wyc., waxed stronger.

Stirreth up [ανασειει] . See on Mark 14:11. The increased urgency is shown by the use of a stronger word than perverteth (ver. 2).

Verse 6

Of Galilee. The best texts omit.

Verse 7

Sent [ανεπεμψεν] . Lit., sent him up [ανα] . Used of sending up to a higher court. Compare Acts 25:21, of sending Paul to Caesar. It also means to send back, as in ver. 11, and Philippians 1:11.

Verse 8

Of a long time [εξ ικανου] . See on ch. Luke 7:6.

Hoped [ηλπιζεν] . Imperfect; was hoping - all this long time.

Miracle [σημειον] . See on Matthew 11:20; and compare Acts 2:22, Rev.

Verse 9

Many [ικανοις] . Compare long, ver. 8.

Verse 10

Vehemently [ευτονως] . Only here and Acts 18:28, of the preaching of Apollos. Originally the word means well - strung; hence, in medical language, of a well - toned body.

Verse 11

Gorgeous [λαμπραν] . Lit., bright or brilliant. Compare Acts 10:30; Revelation 14:6. Wyc. and Tynd., white. Mark has purple (porfuran), and Matthew scarlet [κοκκινην] .

Apparel [εδθητα] . The general term for raiment. Matthew specifies the garment (xxvii. 28). Mark has simply purple (xv. 17).

13 - 25. Compare Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 14:6-15.

Verse 14

Perverteth [αποστρεφοντα] . Another compound of strefw, to turn; diastrefonta is rendered by the same word in ver. 2. Probably the words are used without any intentional distinction of meaning.

Diastrefonta implies more of the idea of distraction (compare Wyc., turning upside down); turning different ways; while ajpostrefonta emphasizes the turning away [απο] of the people from their civil and religious allegiance. So Wyc., turning away.

Examined [ανακρινας] . Originally implying a thorough examination; ajna, up, from bottom to top. Technically, of a legal examination.

Verse 16

Chastise [παιδευσας] . Originally to bring up a child [παις] . Hence, to instruct, so Acts 7:22, of Moses instructed in the wisdom of the Egyptians; and Acts 22:3, of Paul instructed in the law. To discipline or correct, as Hebrews 12:6, Hebrews 12:7. The word is not synonymous with punish, since it always implies an infliction which contemplates the subject's amendment; and hence answers to chastise or chasten. So Hebrews 12:10; Revelation 3:19. In popular speech chastise or punish are often confounded. Chasten is from the Latin castus, "pure," " chaste; " and to chasten is, properly, to purify. This meaning underlies even the use of the word by Pilate, who was not likely to be nice in his choice of words. Instead of punishing him with death, he will chastise him, in order to teach him better. So Wyc., I shall deliver him amended.

Verse 18

All together [παμπληθει] . The whole multitude [τληθος] of them. Only here in New Testament.

Away [αιρε] . Lit., take away. Compare Acts 21:36; Acts 22:22.

Verse 19

Who [οστις] . Classifying him. One of such a kind as that he had been imprisoned, etc.

Verse 20

Spake [προσεφωνησεν] . Addressed. Compare Acts 21:40; Acts 22:2. Always in the New Testament in the sense of to accost, whether an individual or a crowd.

Verse 21

Shouted [επεφωνουν] . Imperfect. Kept shouting. Used by Luke only. Compare Acts 12:22; Acts 22:24.

Verse 22

Said [ειπεν] . Dropping the speech - making tone, and simply asking a question.

Verse 23

They were instant [επεκειντο] . Instant, in the sense of urgent, pressing. See on ch. Luke 7:4. Compare Romans 12:12; 2 Timothy 4:2; Luke 7:4; Acts 26:7. The verb means to lie upon, and answers to our vulgarism, to lay one's self down to work. Compare Aristophanes, "Knights," 253 : kajpikeimenov boa, roar with all your might. Lit., roar, lying down to it.

Their voices. Omit of the chief priests.

Prevailed [κατισχυον] . Had power [ισχυς] to bear down [κατα] the remonstrances of Pilate. Only here and Matthew 16:18.

Verse 24

Gave sentence [επεκρινεν] . Pronounced the final sentence. Only here in New Testament.

26 - 33. Compare Matthew 27:31-34; Mark 14:20-23.

Verse 26

Laid hold on [επιλαβομενοι] . Compare the peculiar word used by Matthew and Mark. See on Matthew 5:41.

27 - 32. Peculiar to Luke. See Introduction, on the gospel of womanhood.

Verse 30

Hills [βουνοις] . Only here and ch. 3 5.

Verse 31

Tree [ξυλω] . Originally wood, timber. In later Greek, a tree. Used of the cross by Peter, Acts 5:30; Acts 10:39; and 1 Peter 2:24. Compare Galatians 3:13.

Verse 32

Two other. The possible omission of a comma before malefactors in the A. V. might make a very awkward and unpleasant statement. Better Rev., two others, malefactors.

Put to death [αναιρεθηναι] . Lit., to take up and carry away; so that the Greek idiom answers to our taken off. So Shakespeare :

"The deep damnation of his taking off." MacBeth, 1, 7.

"Let her who would be rid of him, devise His speedy taking off." Lear, 5, 1.

Verse 33

Calvary [κρανιον] . The Greek word is the translation of the Hebrew Golgotha. See on Matthew 27:33.

35 - 43. Compare Matthew 27:39-44; Mark 14:29-32.

Verse 35

Beholding. See on ch. Luke 10:18.

Scoffed. See on ch. Luke 16:14.

If he. The A. V. does not give the contemptuous emphasis on ou=tov, this fellow.

Verse 36

Coming to him. Coming up close to the cross.

Vinegar. See on Matthew 27:34.

Verse 38

Superstition. See on Mark 14:26.

Verse 39

Railed [εβλασφημει] . Imperfect : kept up a railing.

Verse 41

Receive. Are receiving would be better.

Amiss [ατοπον] . Lit., out of place, and so strange, eccentric, perverse; as in 2 Thessalonians 3:2, where it is rendered unreasonable. The expression here answers nearly to our familiar phrase, "has done nothing out of the way." Compare Acts 28:6; no harm.

Verse 42

Into thy kingdom. Some texts read eijv, into, ejn, in. So Rev. In that case we must understand, "in thy kingly glory."

Verse 43

In Paradise [παραδεισω] . Originally an enclosed park, or pleasure - ground. Xenophon uses it of the parks of the Persian kings and nobles. "There (at Celaenae) Cyrus had a palace and a great park [παραδεισος] , full of wild animals, which he hunted on horseback.... Through the midst of the park flows the river Maeander (" Anabasis," 1, 2, 7). And again : "The Greeks encamped near a great and beautiful park, thickly grown with all kinds of trees" (ii. 4, 14.) In the Septuagint, Genesis 2:8, of the garden of Eden. In the Jewish theology, the department of Hades where the blessed souls await the resurrection; and therefore equivalent to Abraham 's bosom (ch. 16 22, 23). It occurs three times in the New Testament : here; 2 Corinthians 12:4; Revelation 2:7; and always of the abode of the blessed.

" Where'er thou roam'st, one happy soul, we know, See at thy side in woe, Waits on thy triumph - even as all the blest With him and Thee shall rest.

Each on his cross, by Thee we hang awhile, Watching thy patient smile, Till we have learn 'd to say, "Tis justly done, Only in glory, Lord, thy sinful servant own. '" KEBLE, Christian Year.

44 - 46. Compare Matthew 27:45-50; Mark 14:33-37.

Verse 44

Sixth hour. Midday.

Ninth hour. See on Matthew 27:46.

Verse 45

Veil. See on Matthew 27:51.

Verse 46

I commend [παρατιθεμαι] . See on ch. Luke 9:16.

Gave up the ghost [εξεπνευσεν] . Lit., breathed out (his life). Wyc., sent out the spirit. See on Matthew 27:50.

47 - 49. Compare Matthew 27:51-56; Mark 14:38-41.

Verse 49

That followed [συνακολυθουσαι] . Lit., followed with [συν] . So Rev. See on Matthew 27:55.

Verse 50

Councillor. See on Mark 14:43. Matt. calls him rich; Mark, honorable; Luke, good and just.

Verse 51

Consented [συγκατατεθειμενος] . Only here in New Testament.

Another of Luke's numerous compounds. the Greek student will be struck with the array of compounds, from ver. 49 to 56, inclusive. The verb means to put [τιθημι] , down [κατα] , along with [συν] . Hence to put down the same vote or opinion with another : to agree with or assent to.

Verse 53

Linen [σινδονι] . See on Mark 14:51; and compare Luke 16:19. Hewn in stone [λαξευτω] . Only here in New Testament, and not at all in classical Greek.

Verse 56

Returned [υποστρεψασαι] . This word occurs thirty - two times in Luke, and only three times in the rest of the New Testament. It is a significant fact that, reckoning the aggregate space occupied by the four Gospels, nearly one - sixth of the whole amount is occupied with the account of the twenty - four hours beginning with the last supper and ending with the burial of Jesus. There is no day in all Bible history narrated with the fulness of that day. If we possessed the whole life of Christ, written with the same detail, the record would occupy one hundred and eighty volumes as large as the whole Bible. ===Luke 24:0

CHAPTER XXIV

1 - 3. Compare Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2-4.