Luke 23 — EMTV

Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate

23Verse 1Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate.^{Verse 2}And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this Man perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”^{Verse 3}Then Pilate questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered him and said, “You are saying what is so.”^{Verse 4}But Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this Man.”^{Verse 5}But they insisted, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to here.”

Jesus and Herod

^{Verse 6}When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean.^{Verse 7}And when he found out that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem in those days.^{Verse 8}Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he was hoping to see some miracle done by Him.^{Verse 9}Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing.^{Verse 10}And the chief priests and scribes stood, vehemently accusing Him.^{Verse 11}Then Herod, with his men of war, having treated Him with contempt, and having mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.^{Verse 12}That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.

Jesus or Barabbas?

^{Verse 13}And Pilate, having called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,^{Verse 14}said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, on the charge of misleading the people. And indeed, when I examined Him in your presence, I found no guilt in this Man in the matters which you bring as charges against Him;^{Verse 15}and neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing worthy of death has been done by Him.^{Verse 16}Therefore when I have flogged Him, I will release Him.”^{Verse 17}(For it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast.)^{Verse 18}But they all cried out together, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”—^{Verse 19}who because of a certain insurrection having occurred in the city had been thrown into prison, and for murder.^{Verse 20}Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them.^{Verse 21}But they cried out, saying, “Crucify, crucify Him!”^{Verse 22}Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no guilt deserving death in Him. Therefore when I have flogged Him, I will release Him.”^{Verse 23}But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And their voices and those of the chief priests prevailed.^{Verse 24}So Pilate decided that their request should be carried out.^{Verse 25}And he released whom they were requesting, who because of insurrection and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

Jesus Crucified

^{Verse 26}And as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, as he was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might carry it behind Jesus.^{Verse 27}And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also were mourning and lamenting Him.^{Verse 28}But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.^{Verse 29}For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs which did not give birth, and breasts which did not nurse!’^{Verse 30}Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’^{Verse 31}For if they do these things in the green tree, what will happen in the dry?”^{Verse 32}And they also were leading two others with Him, evildoers, to be put to death.^{Verse 33}And when they came to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him and the evildoers, one on the right, and one on the left.^{Verse 34}Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And dividing His garments, they cast lots.^{Verse 35}And the people stood, watching. And the rulers with them also were sneering, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the elect of God.”^{Verse 36}The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine,^{Verse 37}and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”^{Verse 38}And an inscription also was written over Him, in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew letters:
THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.^{Verse 39}Then one of the evildoers who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”^{Verse 40}But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?^{Verse 41}And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this Man did nothing wrong.”^{Verse 42}Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come in Your kingdom.”^{Verse 43}And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

The Death of Jesus

^{Verse 44}Now it was about the sixth hour, and darkness came upon the whole land until the ninth hour.^{Verse 45}Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.^{Verse 46}And Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I will commit My spirit.’ ” And after He said these things, He breathed His last.^{Verse 47}And when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!”^{Verse 48}And all the crowds which came together for this spectacle, when they saw what had happened, beat their own chests and returned.^{Verse 49}But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

The Burial of Jesus

^{Verse 50}And behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and righteous man^{Verse 51}(this man had not agreed to their decision and deed), from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.^{Verse 52}This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.^{Verse 53}And having taken it down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth, and put it in a tomb cut out of rock, where no one had ever lain before.^{Verse 54}That day was the Preparation; the Sabbath was drawing near.^{Verse 55}And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was placed.^{Verse 56}Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath, according to the commandment.