Luke 23
The Innocent Savior and His Open Arms
Jesus is declared innocent, yet He is sentenced to die on a cross. Through cruel treatment, deep suffering, and death, He keeps showing mercy and trusting His Father.
Walking Through Luke 23
False Charges Before Pilate (Luke 23:1-7)
1 Then the whole group of them rose up and brought Jesus before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding us to pay the tribute tax to Caesar and claiming that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He replied, “You say so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” 5 But they persisted in saying, “He incites the people by teaching throughout all Judea. It started in Galilee and ended up here!” 6 Now when Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 When he learned that he was from Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who also happened to be in Jerusalem at that time.Luke 23:1-7 · NET Bible
The leaders accuse Jesus of misleading the nation, opposing taxes paid to Caesar, and claiming to be a king. Their charges are shaped to make Jesus look dangerous to Rome. The tax charge is false; Jesus had taught that people should give Caesar what belonged to Caesar. Pilate asks about His kingship, but he finds no basis for a charge against Him. The leaders keep pressing their case and mention Galilee. When Pilate learns that Jesus comes from the region ruled by Herod, he sends Him to Herod, who is visiting Jerusalem. I want us to notice the gap between the loud charges and the truth. Jesus is not a rebel threatening Rome. Luke begins showing us that the One who will bear the punishment has done nothing to deserve it.
Rejected by Those in Power (Luke 23:8-25)
8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some miraculous sign. 9 So Herod questioned him at considerable length; Jesus gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and the experts in the law were there, vehemently accusing him. 11 Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, dressing him in elegant clothes, Herod sent him back to Pilate. 12 That very day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other, for prior to this they had been enemies. 13 Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. When I examined him before you, I did not find this man guilty of anything you accused him of doing. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, he has done nothing deserving death. 16 I will therefore have him flogged and release him.” 18 But they all shouted out together, “Take this man away! Release Barabbas for us!” 19 (This was a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city, and for murder.) 20 Pilate addressed them once again because he wanted to release Jesus. 21 But they kept on shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What wrong has he done? I have found him guilty of no crime deserving death. I will therefore flog him and release him.” 23 But they were insistent, demanding with loud shouts that he be crucified. And their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man they asked for, who had been thrown in prison for insurrection and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.Luke 23:8-25 · NET Bible
Herod is glad to see Jesus because he hopes to watch a miracle. But Jesus is not there to entertain him, and He gives no answer to his many questions. The leaders accuse Him fiercely while Herod and his soldiers mock Him and dress Him in a fine robe. Herod then sends Him back to Pilate, and the two rulers become friends that day. Pilate repeatedly says that Jesus has done nothing worthy of death. Still, he offers to punish Him before releasing Him. The crowd demands Barabbas instead, a man jailed for revolt and murder. Finally, Pilate gives in. The guilty man goes free while the innocent Jesus is handed over. This scene exposes the danger of knowing what is right but choosing what will quiet the crowd.
Mercy on the Road to the Cross (Luke 23:26-34)
26 As they led him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country. They placed the cross on his back and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A great number of the people followed him, among them women who were mourning and wailing for him. 28 But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For this is certain: The days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore children, and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ 31 For if such things are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” 32 Two other criminals were also led away to be executed with him. 33 So when they came to the place that is called “The Skull,” they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 [But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”] Then they threw dice to divide his clothes.Luke 23:26-34 · NET Bible
The soldiers force Simon of Cyrene, who is coming in from the country, to carry Jesus’ cross behind Him. A large crowd follows, including women mourning for Jesus. He turns their attention toward the suffering coming upon Jerusalem and its children. His words about green and dry wood warn that if this happens while He is among them, terrible days lie ahead for the city. Jesus does not hide the seriousness of judgment. At the place called the Skull, He is crucified between two criminals. Even there, He asks His Father to forgive those responsible, while soldiers divide His clothes by casting lots. Don’t rush past that mercy. Jesus does not call their actions good. He seeks forgiveness for people doing great evil against Him.
A King Who Welcomes the Guilty (Luke 23:35-43)
35 The people also stood there watching, but the leaders ridiculed him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, his chosen one!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the king of the Jews.” 39 One of the criminals who was hanging there railed at him, saying, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we rightly so, for we are getting what we deserve for what we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”Luke 23:35-43 · NET Bible
The rulers and soldiers mock Jesus because He does not save Himself. The sign above Him names Him as the King of the Jews, but they treat His kingship as a joke. One criminal joins their insults. The other admits that their punishment is deserved and that Jesus has done nothing wrong. Then he asks Jesus to remember him when He comes into His kingdom. Somehow, while looking at a dying man, he recognizes a King whose rule reaches beyond death. Jesus assures him that he will be with Him that very day in paradise, the blessed place of life with God. This man has no time to build a better record. He comes with guilt and trust, and Jesus receives him. Grace is God’s kindness freely given, not a reward we earn.
Trusting the Father to the End (Luke 23:44-49)
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 because the sun’s light failed. The temple curtain was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit! ” And after he said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all those who knew Jesus stood at a distance, and the women who had followed him from Galilee saw these things.Luke 23:44-49 · NET Bible
Darkness covers the land from about noon until three in the afternoon. The temple curtain is torn in two. These signs show that Jesus’ death is no ordinary death. The curtain belonged to the place where access to God’s holy presence was restricted; its tearing points toward the way Jesus opens for people to come to God. Jesus entrusts His spirit to His Father and dies. A Roman officer sees what happens, praises God, and declares Jesus innocent. Once again, Luke places that truth before us. The crowds leave beating their chests in grief, while Jesus’ acquaintances and the women from Galilee watch from a distance. The scene is painful and solemn, but Jesus’ final act is trust. Human cruelty has not broken His bond with the Father.
Faithful Care in a Time of Grief (Luke 23:50-56)
50 Now there was a man named Joseph who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man. 51 (He had not consented to their plan and action.) He was from the Judean town of Arimathea, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God. 52 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut out of the rock, where no one had yet been buried. 54 It was the day of preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. 55 The women who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they returned and prepared aromatic spices and perfumes. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.Luke 23:50-56 · NET Bible
Joseph of Arimathea is a good and upright member of the council who has not agreed with its decision or actions. He is waiting for God’s kingdom. He asks Pilate for Jesus’ body, takes it down, wraps it in linen, and places it in a rock-cut tomb that has never been used. The Sabbath, the weekly day of rest, is about to begin. The women who came with Jesus from Galilee follow Joseph and see both the tomb and how the body is placed. They prepare spices and perfumes for His body, then rest as God’s command requires. Luke leaves no doubt that Jesus truly died and was buried in a known place. These followers cannot yet see what comes next, but their loving care still matters.
- Innocent — Jesus has done no wrong, yet He suffers the punishment.
- Grace — God’s kindness given freely rather than earned.
Which part of Jesus’ response to suffering most challenges the way you respond to others?
Father, thank You for the mercy You show us through Jesus. Help us trust His finished work instead of our own goodness. Give us courage to do what is right and tender hearts toward people who need grace.