Comprehensive Study Notes on Luke 23 - The Trial, Crucifixion, and Burial of Jesus

The entire assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate.
The assembly began to accuse Jesus with three specific charges:
- Perverting the nation of the Jews.
- Forbidding the people to pay taxes to the emperor.
- Claiming that he himself is the Messiah, a king.
Pilate interrogated Jesus by asking: ‐‐‐‐Are you the king of the Jews?‐‐‐‐
Jesus replied to Pilate with the statement: ‐‐‐‐You say so.‐‐‐‐
Following this exchange, Pilate addressed the chief priests and the crowds, stating: ‐‐‐‐I find no basis for an accusation against this man.‐‐‐‐
The accusers remained insistent, arguing that Jesus stirs up the people through his teaching across all of Judea, starting from Galilee and reaching Jerusalem.

Upon hearing the mention of Galilee, Pilate inquired if Jesus was a Galilean.
Learning that Jesus fell under Herod's jurisdiction, Pilate sent him to Herod, who happened to be in Jerusalem at that time.
Herod was very glad to see Jesus because he had been wanting to see him for a long time based on reports he had heard.
Herod's primary motivation was the hope of seeing Jesus perform some sign or miracle.
Herod questioned Jesus at length, but Jesus provided no answer to his inquiries.
The chief priests and the scribes were present, vehemently accusing Jesus during the session.
Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and mocked him.
As a gesture of mockery, Herod placed an elegant robe on Jesus before sending him back to Pilate.
An incidental outcome of this event was that Herod and Pilate became friends; they had previously been enemies.

Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people for a formal address.
Pilate reiterated that after examining Jesus in their presence, he found no guilt regarding the charges brought against him.
Pilate noted that Herod also found no guilt, as evidenced by sending Jesus back.
Pilate concluded that Jesus had done nothing to deserve death.
Pilate proposed a compromise: ‐‐‐‐I will therefore have him flogged and release him.‐‐‐‐
The crowd shouted out in unison: ‐‐‐‐Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!‐‐‐‐
Barabbas was a man imprisoned for murder and an insurrection that occurred in the city.
Pilate addressed the crowd a second time, still wanting to release Jesus, but they continued to shout: ‐‐‐‐Crucify, crucify him!‐‐‐‐
Pilate spoke a third time, asking: ‐‐‐‐Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.‐‐‐‐
The crowd urgently demanded with loud shouts that he be crucified, and their voices eventually prevailed.
Pilate gave the official verdict that the crowd's demand should be granted.
He released the man imprisoned for insurrection and murder (Barabbas) and handed Jesus over to their will.

As Jesus was led away, the soldiers seized Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country.
The cross was laid on Simon, and he was forced to carry it behind Jesus.
Jesus was followed by a great number of people, including women who were wailing and beating their breasts for him.
Jesus addressed the women as ‐‐‐‐Daughters of Jerusalem‐‐‐‐ and told them not to weep for him, but to weep for themselves and their children.
Jesus made a prophecy about coming days where people would say, ‐‐‐‐Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.‐‐‐‐
He predicted that people would ask mountains to fall on them and hills to cover them.
He concluded with a metaphorical question: ‐‐‐‐For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?‐‐‐‐

Jesus was led away with two other men, both criminals, to be put to death.
They arrived at the place called "The Skull," where they crucified Jesus.
The two criminals were crucified with him, one on his right side and one on his left.
Jesus spoke from the cross: ‐‐‐‐Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.‐‐‐‐
The soldiers cast lots to divide Jesus'‐‐‐‐ clothing.
The people stood by watching while the leaders scoffed at him, saying: ‐‐‐‐He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!‐‐‐‐
Soldiers also mocked him, offering him sour wine and saying: ‐‐‐‐If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!‐‐‐‐
An inscription was placed over him reading: ‐‐‐‐This is the King of the Jews.‐‐‐‐

Question/Derision from First Criminal: One of the criminals hanging there derided Jesus, saying, ‐‐‐‐Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!‐‐‐‐
Rebuke from Second Criminal: The other criminal rebuked the first, asking: ‐‐‐‐Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?‐‐‐‐
Admission of Guilt: The second criminal stated they were condemned justly and getting what they deserved for their deeds, whereas Jesus had done nothing wrong.
The Request: The second criminal said: ‐‐‐‐Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.‐‐‐‐
Jesus's Response: Jesus replied: ‐‐‐‐Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.‐‐‐‐

Timing and Darkness: Darkness came over the whole land starting at approximately noon and lasting until three in the afternoon.
The Temple: The sun's light failed and the curtain of the temple was torn into two pieces.
Last Words: Jesus cried out with a loud voice: ‐‐‐‐Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.‐‐‐‐
The End: Having said this, Jesus breathed his last.
The Centurion's Witness: Seeing what happened, the centurion praised God and declared: ‐‐‐‐Certainly this man was innocent.‐‐‐‐
Reaction of the Crowd: The crowds that gathered for the spectacle returned home beating their breasts after seeing what took place.
The Observers: Jesus'‐‐‐‐ acquaintances and the women who followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching the events.

Joseph of Arimathea: A man named Joseph from the Jewish town of Arimathea sought the body. He was a good and righteous member of the council who had not agreed with the council's plan or action.
Expectation: Joseph was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God.
Requesting the Body: Joseph went to Pilate to ask for Jesus'‐‐‐‐ body.
Entombment: Joseph took the body down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb that had never been used.
Timing for Burial: This occurred on the day of Preparation, just as the Sabbath was beginning.
The Women's Role: The women who had come from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how the body was laid.
Preparation for the Body: The women returned and prepared spices and ointments for the body.
The Sabbath Rest: The women rested on the Sabbath day in accordance with the commandment.