📖 Luke — Chapter 23 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Luke 23:1 RAnd the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.
Luke 23:2 And Rthey began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
Luke 23:3 And RPilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.
Luke 23:4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, RI find no fault in this man.
Luke 23:5 And Rthey were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.
Luke 23:6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.
Luke 23:7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
Luke 23:8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: Rfor he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
Luke 23:9 Then he questioned with him in many words; Rbut he answered him nothing.
Luke 23:10 And the chief priests and scribes stood Rand vehemently accused him.
Luke 23:11 And RHerod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
Luke 23:12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
Luke 23:13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
Luke 23:14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, Ras one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
Luke 23:15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
Luke 23:16 RI will therefore chastise him, and release him.
Luke 23:17 R(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)
Luke 23:18 And Rthey cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:
Luke 23:19 (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
Luke 23:20 RPilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.
Luke 23:21 RBut they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.
Luke 23:22 And he said unto them the third time, RWhy, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.
Luke 23:23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
Luke 23:24 And RPilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.
Luke 23:25 And he released unto them him that Rfor sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
Luke 23:26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, Ra Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
Luke 23:27 And there followed him a great company of people, Rand of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
Luke 23:28 But Jesus turning unto them said, RDaughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
Luke 23:29 For, behold, Rthe days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
Luke 23:30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
Luke 23:31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
Luke 23:32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
Luke 23:33 And Rwhen they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, RFather, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Luke 23:35 And Rthe people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
Luke 23:36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
Luke 23:37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
Luke 23:38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
Luke 23:40 But the other answering Rrebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
Luke 23:41 And Rwe indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, RLord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, RTo day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Luke 23:44 And it was about the sixth hour, and Rthere was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
Luke 23:45 And the sun was darkened, Rand the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had Rcried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Luke 23:47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
Luke 23:48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, Rsmote their breasts, and returned.
Luke 23:49 And all his Racquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
Luke 23:50 And, behold, Rthere was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:
Luke 23:51 (The same Rhad not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.
Luke 23:52 RThis man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.
Luke 23:53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
Luke 23:54 RAnd that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
Luke 23:55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
Luke 23:56 And they returned, and Rprepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Luke 23:1–25 — Accusation and public pressure lead to condemnation
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Before Pilate and Herod Jesus is accused, mocked, and returned without a basis for death being established. The crowd nevertheless demands Barabbas, and Pilate yields Jesus to their will.
Key Truth: Do not surrender truth to pressure or convenience.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And the ____ multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.” (Luke 23:1)
Find it in Luke 23:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And ____ gave sentence that it should be as they required.” (Luke 23:24)
Find it in Luke 23:24 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And he ____ unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast …” (Luke 23:25)
Find it in Luke 23:25 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Luke 23:26–43 — Jesus speaks amid the journey and crucifixion
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Simon carries the cross and Jesus addresses the mourning women. On the cross he prays for forgiveness, is mocked, and answers the criminal who confesses guilt and asks to be remembered with a promise of paradise.
Key Truth: Let Jesus’ mercy lead to honest repentance and compassion.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And as they led him ____ , they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming …” (Luke 23:26)
Find it in Luke 23:26 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And there followed him a great company of ____ , and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.” (Luke 23:27)
Find it in Luke 23:27 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And he said unto ____ , Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)
Find it in Luke 23:42 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Luke 23:44–56 — Death, witnesses, and burial complete the account
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Darkness, the torn temple veil, and Jesus’ final prayer accompany his death. The centurion responds, the crowds are struck, and Joseph buries the body while the women observe and prepare spices before resting on the sabbath.
Key Truth: Attend carefully to the death and burial witnesses before reading the resurrection account.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And it was about the ____ hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth …” (Luke 23:44)
Find it in Luke 23:44 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And, ____ , there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and …” (Luke 23:50)
Find it in Luke 23:50 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the ____ .” (Luke 23:56)
Find it in Luke 23:56 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Psalms 31:5 — Jesus’ final prayer recalls the committing of the spirit into God’s hands.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What does the repentant criminal’s response teach you about honest need and trust in Jesus?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Luke 23:1–25 (Accusation and public pressure lead to condemnation) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Luke 23:26–43 (Jesus speaks amid the journey and crucifixion) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Luke 23:44–56 (Death, witnesses, and burial complete the account) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What pressure accompanies the decision to crucify Jesus?
5. What assurance does Jesus give the repentant criminal?
Notes
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