Luke

By Joyce Webb 2021

Chapter 23 Verses 22-33

In verse 21, the Jewish leaders have brought Jesus before Pilate. Pilate has said that he did not find any wrong doing that was worthy of death. He said, “I find no fault in him.”

The Jewish leaders are angry and began to call “Crucify him.”—meaning for Jesus to be crucified.

Verse 22 Pilate said to the leaders—the 3rd time–I have found no cause of death in him.”

I will give him a punishment, and let him go.

It seems that Pilate did not see any reason for punishment, but he was willing to do something to please the Jewish leaders.

The Jewish leaders were not satisfied with a punishment or in letting Jesus go. They wanted him dead.

Verse 23 The Jewish leaders began to call in a loud voice, saying Jesus must be crucified.

Verse 24 Finally, Pilate gave up, and decided to do as they asked.

Verse 25 Pilate allowed Barabbas —who was in prison and was guilty of riot against Rome and who had killed someone or several——to be let out of prison.

(The Jewish custom at Passover was to show mercy to someone who had broken the law. So Barabbas was chosen to be let free—instead of Jesus.)

Pilate then gave Jesus into the hands of the Jewish leaders for them to have the soldiers crucify Jesus.

Jewish leaders were not allowed to give the death penalty unless a Roman governor gave them permission.

Verse 26 The Jewish leaders took Jesus away. Jesus was given a wooden cross to carry. Jesus had been whipped and beaten. So his body was weak. The Jewish leaders took a man from the streets and made him carry Jesus’ cross.

The Bible gives the man’s name—Simon, of the country of Cyrene.

Verse 27 Many people followed Jesus as he went to Calvary’s hill.
Women cried and were so sad and upset with what was happening to Jesus.

Verse 28 -31 Jesus turned to them and spoke to them. He said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep (cry) for me. Weep for yourselves—and for your children. Because, the days are coming, in which people will say, Blessed is the woman who has no children.”

“Then they shall say to the mountains, Fall on us ! They will say to the hills, Cover us !

“For if they do these things to a green tree (meaning crucify an innocent man) —what will they do to a dry tree (meaning the people of Israel who are sinners.)

Jesus had told the disciples one other time that the destruction of Jerusalem was coming.
This happened in 70AD—about 40 years later– after Jesus told them.

Verse 32 There were 2 other men, they were guilty,— who were to be crucified at the same time as Jesus.

Verse 33 When they came to the hill of Calvary, they put the men on the crosses. Jesus was put in the middle, with the other two, one on each side of Jesus.