Luke 23

Luke 23:2

Verse 2

To accuse him. They changed the accusation, now that they had brought him before Pilate. The charge before their council was blasphemy; now, it is disaffection towards the Roman government.

Luke 23:4

Verse 4

I find no fault, &c. The conversation with Jesus, by which Pilate was satisfied of his innocence, is given in detail, John 18:29-38.

Luke 23:7

Verse 7

Herod’s jurisdiction; Herod Antipas, son of old King Herod, who had ordered Jesus to be destroyed in infancy.

Luke 23:8

Verse 8

Had heard many things of him. See Matthew 14:1.

Luke 23:11

Verse 11

Set him at nought; mocked and ridiculed him.

Luke 23:14

Verse 14

That perverteth the people, from their allegiance to the Roman government.

Luke 23:15

Verse 15

No, nor yet Herod; though Herod treated him with indignity and ridicule, he acquitted him of all criminal designs.

Luke 23:22

Verse 22

I will chastise him. This proposal to subject Jesus to the punishment of scourging was intended as a compromise. Pilate did not consider him as really deserving of any punishment at all.

Luke 23:25

Verse 25

To their will; not to their custody, but to that of his own soldiers, to be dealt with according to their will.

Luke 23:26

Verse 26

Coming out of the country; that is, they met him as they were going out of the city. At first Jesus bore the cross himself. (John 19:17.)

Luke 23:31

Verse 31

In the dry. Our Savior here seems to refer to the terrible calamities which were to come upon the Jewish nation, at the approaching siege and destruction of Jerusalem.

Luke 23:38

Verse 38

Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, because those three languages were spoken in Jerusalem at this time. Laws and public proclamations are often, in conquered countries, published in different languages. The Hebrew was the native language; the Latin that of the Romans, who were the masters of the country at that time. The Greek had been previously introduced into the Jewish regions, by the conquests of Alexander.

Luke 23:44

Verse 44

Sixth hour; noon.

Luke 23:47

Verse 47

The centurion; the Roman officer who had charge of the execution.

Luke 23:48

Verse 48

And all the people, &c. It appears from Luke 23:27, that a large portion of the populace regarded Jesus with friendly feelings,and strongly deprecated these proceedings. They who cried, “Crucify him,” were probably comparatively few, and were instigated to their hostility by the Jewish leaders.

Luke 23:50

Verse 50

A counsellor; a member of the Jewish council or Sanhedrim, mentioned in Luke 22:66.

Luke 23:51

Verse 51

Waited for, &c.; was interested in looking for its approach.

Luke 23:54

Verse 54

The preparation; that is, for the Sabbath.

Luke 23:55

Verse 55

Mark (Mark 15:40) mentions their names.

Luke 23:56

Verse 56

Prepared spices and ointments, making arrangements in part for the embalming of the body. These preparations were not completed until after the Sabbath. (Mark 16:1.)