Luke 23:26-56

Compare the events recorded by Matthew and Mark below.

They Roman soldiers conscripted a person from the crowd to help Jesus carry the cross. Simon of Cyrene. Perhaps a Jewish worshipper in Jerusalem for the Passover (see Mark 15:21; Rom. 16:13). Cyrene was located in modern day Tripoli. cross. The crosses used for crucifixion were made up of two parts. Typically, those who were crucified were forced to carry the crossbeam to the place of execution (see note on v. 21). Jesus was too weak from beatings and abuse to carry his cross (see note on v. 25).

Public displays of grief were common in that culture, and still are even today. The crowd and weeping women likely saw Jesus as innocent, yet unjustly condemned.

Daughters of Jerusalem. These women fulfilled the prophetic word of Zech. 12: 10-14. They represented the entire nation, though there is a special emphasis on them as women who will suffer. weep. But in the midst of their weeping, Jesus points them to a different judgment. Rather than feeling sorry for Jesus, they should weep for the judgment they will experience when Jerusalem is destroyed (vv. 29-31; see notes on 21:5-9). He hoped they would repent (13:34; 19:41-44).

Such would be the severity of Jerusalem's coming destruction that the women would wish they had never given birth and all would wish that the mountains themselves would fall upon them, putting them out of their misery (Hos. 10:8; Rev. 6:16; see notes on 21:5-9).

Jesus emphasized the divine judgment behind Jerusalem's fall (vv. 28-30). tree is green . . . dry. A fire is best started and maintained with something old or dry rather than moist, green wood. Jesus used this imagery to indicate the severity of God's coming judgment. The Romans punished Jesus who would innocent, so even worse would happen to the guilty.

Jesus' death with criminals fulfilled the prophecy of Isa. 53:12.

The Skull. In Aramaic, it was called Golgotha (Mark 15:22). crucified. Jesus' crucifixion experience fulfilled several prophetic passages in the Old Testament (see Ps. 22:6-18; Isa. 50:6; 53:3-8, 10). However, the Gospel writers did not dwell on the well-known details of crucifixion (see Mark 15:25; Matt. 27:35; John 19:18). Rather than focus on the physical sufferings of Jesus, they highlighted his spiritual sufferings under God's wrath, which secured salvation for sinners (see notes on vv. 44-47).

forgive. Even in the face of cruel rebellion, Jesus was patient with sinners. His prayer did not excuse the Jews or Romans for their part in his wrongful execution (see note on vv. 19, 23-24). Instead, it showed that they did not fully understand the wickedness of their actions. They had crucified the Holy and Righteous Son of God (1:35; Acts 3:14) who came to save sinners as the promised Christ (2:11; 19:10). cast lots. The soldiers gambled for Jesus' clothing in fulfillment of Ps. 22:18. See BC 57.

Luke contrasted the response of the people and their leaders. mocking. The ridicule of the Jewish leaders fulfilled the prophetic experience of Ps. 22:7-8. save. Jesus could have easily saved himself (Matt. 26:53). But by not saving himself, he was saving others (Mark 10:45; Gal 3:13; 1 Pet. 2:23-25). Christ. See notes on 2:11; 22:67. chosen one. See notes on 9:34-35.

Jesus would have been desperate for some relief (John 19:28). Rather than offer him wine or water, the soldiers mockingly offered him vinegar.

save. See note on v. 35.

Matthew recorded that initially both criminals mocked Jesus (Matt. 27:44). Christ. See notes on 2:11; 22:67. Save. See note on v. 35.

At some point, the heart of one criminal was turned from mocking to sympathy (see note on v. 39). He understood the justice of his own sentence but the injustice committed against Jesus. Perhaps Jesus' prayer for his enemies caused his change of mind (see note on v. 34).

The repentant criminal (vv. 40-41) trusted that Jesus was able to save him. kingdom. See note on 4:43.

today. That very day Jesus would complete the work of salvation by offering his life for sinners (John 19:30). Like the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, those who crucified Jesus would miss the kingdom while the sinner who begged for mercy would see it (v. 42; 18:9-14). paradise. Term which here meant the dwelling place of the righteous in death (see 2 Cor. 12:3; Rev. 2:7). Jesus assured the man his faith has saved him (see 7:50; Eph. 2:8). He would be with Jesus (John 17:24). See WCF 4.2; 32.1; WLC 82, 85; WSC 37.

sixth hour . . . ninth hour. That is, approximately 12:00pm to 3:00pm. darkness. A sign of God's judgment in the past (Exod. 10:21-22). It was also prophesied to happen on the end-time Day of the Lord (Amos 8:9-10; Joel 2:10; Zeph. 1:15). The darkness signaled God's displeasure at Israel for rejecting and killing Jesus (22:53). It also signaled Jesus' work of enduring God's wrath against the sins of his people (Isa. 53:4-6; Rom. 3:25). For these three hours, Jesus felt the burden of God's judgment (Matt. 27:46).

This cannot be explained as a natural phenomenon. This was a supernatural sign from God (see note on v. 44). curtain. That which separated the most holy place from the rest of the temple (Lev. 21:23; 24:3; Heb. 9:1-5). Behind the curtain sat the Ark of the Covenant. It was the place the high priest went once a year to make atonement for the sins of the people (Lev. 16). Atonement is the removal of sin's consequences, ensuring peace between God and sinners (Lev. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:18-21). However, no mere animal could ever atone for sin (Heb. 10:4). The old covenant sacrifices pointed forward to Jesus, the perfect sacrifice who could actually take away sin (Heb. 9:12; 10:10; 12-14) and bring peace with God (Col. 1:20; see Isa. 9:6). split. This massive, ornate curtain was sixty feet (eighteen meters) high and thirty feet (nine meters) wide (Exod. 26:31-37). Like the darkness, this was a supernatural sign for the people. Jesus had fulfilled the temple's purpose (John 1:14, 1:51, 2:18-22) and the way of salvation was now opened up for all people through him (John 4:20-24; Heb. 9:11-12, 24; 10:19-22).

Father. Having finished making atonement for sin, Jesus entrusted himself to God. He used the words of Scripture to express his confidence in the Father (Ps. 31:5; see 1 Pet. 4:19). died. Jesus' death was further evidence of his true humanity (1 John 1:1-2; see note on 1:35). He experienced the full consequences of sin, though he himself was without sin (Rom. 6:23; Heb. 4:15). By experiencing death and rising from the dead (9:22; 24:1-7), Jesus conquered sin for his people (2 Tim. 1:10; Heb. 2:14-15).

The Roman government found no fault in Jesus (v. 22). Neither did this centurion. Moreover, Matthew recorded the beginnings of faith in him (Matt. 27:54).

The crowds saw Jesus' innocence at his trial (v. 20-22), his graciousness from the cross (v. 34), and the darkness of God's displeasure (v. 44). All of this has not left them unchanged. They leave beating their breasts — a cultural sign of mourning and repentance.

Jesus' family and friends as well as some disciples saw his death (Pss. 38:11; 88:8).

Unlike the others, Joseph was a sincere worshipper of God. Though part of the Jewish leadership, he had not been part of their plan to kill Jesus. Council. The Jewish Sanhedrin (see note on 20:1). kingdom. Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, though perhaps secretly.

Joseph showed tremendous courage in asking for Jesus' body. No one wanted to be associated with someone who was shamefully executed by crucifixion (see note on v. 21). Also, Pilate was no friend of the Jewish people, especially the Sanhedrin (see notes on vv. 1, 23-24). Yet, the Jews believed in proper burials even for enemies or executed criminals (Deut. 21:23; 2 Sam. 21:12-14). Jesus' body certainly deserved such care in death.

Joseph was granted care of Jesus' body (v. 52). Unlike a tomb where many people were buried together and was already full of the stench of death, this was a new tomb. Being a man of wealth and importance, it was the one that Joseph most likely had made for himself. But he gave it as a sign of affection and devotion to Jesus. In doing so, he also fulfilled God's word (Isa. 53:9).

Day of the Preparation. The day before the Sabbath. According to the traditions of this time, day began at nightfall. Since the Sabbath began on Friday evening, this was last Friday afternoon. Sabbath. See note on 6:1. See WLC 117.

Likely encouraged by Joseph's example (vv. 52-53), these women were also willing to identify with Jesus and offered something costly to honor him in his death. They followed Joseph and saw the amount of burial spices used to hastily anoint Jesus before the coming of the Sabbath (v. 54; John 19:39). Though surely thankful for all that Joseph did, they determined to prepare even more perfumes and ointments for him (8:2-3; 24:1). rested. A display of genuine faith and piety (see 1:6; notes on Exod. 20:10; Deut. 5:14). See WLC 117, 121.