Luke 23 explained: The Innocent Man Is Crucified

Before Pilate and Herod (vv. 1-12)

The council could not carry out an execution without Rome, so they told Pilate, the Roman governor, that Jesus was a rebel king. Pilate found nothing and sent him to Herod, ruler of Jesus' home region, who hoped for a miracle, got silence, and mocked him as a pretend king.

Barabbas freed instead (vv. 13-25)

Three times Pilate says Jesus has done nothing to deserve death and offers to have him whipped and released. Under loud pressure he gives in and frees Barabbas, a man jailed for rebellion and murder, the very kind of crime Jesus was falsely accused of.

The road to the cross (vv. 26-31)

Soldiers force Simon, a man from Cyrene in North Africa, to carry the cross, and Jesus tells the grieving women to weep for the hard days coming on Jerusalem, which many link to the Roman destruction of the city in AD 70. His saying about green and dry wood probably means that if this is done to an innocent man, far worse will follow.

Between two criminals (vv. 32-43)

Jesus prays for forgiveness for those killing him, while leaders, soldiers and one criminal taunt him to save himself. The other criminal admits his own guilt and asks Jesus to remember him, and Jesus promises he will be with him in paradise that very day, a Jewish word for the place where the righteous dead are with God.

His death (vv. 44-49)

Darkness falls from noon to three and a curtain in the temple tears; which curtain is meant is debated, and Christians have often read it as a sign that the way to God is now open. Jesus dies praying words from Psalm 31, and the Roman officer watching says he truly was a righteous, innocent man.

Buried before the Sabbath (vv. 50-56)

Joseph of Arimathea, a council member who had not agreed to their decision, places the body in a new rock tomb before the Sabbath rest begins at sunset. The women from Galilee see exactly where he is laid and prepare spices, which sets up what they find in the next chapter.

Key verse: Luke 23:34

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on what Jesus' death accomplished: some see him taking the punishment others deserved, while others stress Luke's focus on an innocent man's faithful death and God's victory over evil.

Something to think about

Pilate seems to know Jesus is innocent yet gives in to the crowd, so what makes it hard to hold to what you believe is right when pressure builds?