查經資料大全

 

| Back to Home Page | Back to Book Index |

 

Luke Chapter Twenty-three

 

Luke 23

The Gentiles however are not presented in this Gospel as being voluntarily guilty. We see no doubt an indifference which is flagrant injustice in a case like this and an insolence which nothing could excuse; but Pilate does what he can to deliver Christ and Herod disappointed sends Him back unjudged. The will is altogether on the side of the Jews. That is the characteristic of this part of the history in Luke's Gospel. Pilate would rather not have burdened himself with this useless crime and he despised the Jews; but they were resolved on the crucifixion of Jesus and require Barabbas to be released-a seditious man and a murderer (see v. 20-25). [1]

Jesus therefore as He was led to Calvary announced to the women who with natural feeling lamented for Him that it was all over with Jerusalem that they had to bewail their own fate and not His; for days were coming upon Jerusalem which would make them call those happy who had never been mothers-days in which they would in vain seek refuge from terror and judgment. For if in Him the true green tree these things were done what would become of the dry tree of Judaism without God? Nevertheless at the moment of His crucifixion the Lord intercedes for the unhappy people: they knew not what they did-intercession to which Peter's discourse to the Jews (Acts 3) is the remarkable answer by the Holy Ghost come down from heaven. The rulers among the Jews completely blinded as well as the people taunt Him with being unable to save Himself from the cross-not knowing that it was impossible if He was a Saviour and that all was taken from them and that God was establishing another order of things founded on atonement in the power of eternal life by the resurrection. Dreadful blindness of which the poor soldiers were but imitators according to the malignity of human nature! But the judgment of Israel was in their mouth and (on God's part) upon the cross. It was the King of the Jews who hung there-abased indeed for a thief hung by His side could railon Him-but in the place to which love had brought Him for the everlasting and present salvation of souls. This was manifested at the very moment. The insults that reproached Him for not saving Himself from the cross had His answer in the fate of the converted thief who rejoined Him the same day in Paradise.

This history is a striking demonstration of the change to which this Gospel leads us. The King of the Jews by their own confession is not delivered-He is crucified. What an end to the hopes of this people! But at the same time a gross sinner converted by grace on the very gibbet goes straight to Paradise. A soul is eternally saved. It is not the kingdom but a soul-out of the body-in happiness with Christ. And remark here how the presentation of Christ brings out the wickedness of the human heart. No thief would mock at or reproach another thief on the gibbet. But the moment it is Christ who is there this takes place.

But I would say a few words on the condition of the other thief and on the reply of Christ. We see every mark of conversion and of the most remarkable faith. The fear of God the beginning of wisdom is there; conscience upright and vigorous. It is not "and justly" to his fellow but "we indeed justly"; knowledge of the perfect sinless righteousness of Christ as man; the acknowledgment of Him as the Lord when His own disciples had forsaken and denied Him and when there was no sign of His glory or of the dignity of His Person. He was accounted by man as one like himself. His kingdom was but a subject of scorn to all. But the poor thief is taught of God; and all is plain. He is as sure that Christ will have the kingdom as if He was reigning in glory. All his desire is that Christ should remember him then; and what confidence in Christ is here shewn through the knowledge of Him in spite of his acknowledged guilt! It shews how Christ filled his heart and how his confiding in grace by its brightness shut out human shame for who would like to be remembered in the shame of a gibbet! Divine teaching is singularly manifested here. Do not we know by divine teaching that Christ was sinless and to be assured of His kingdom there was a faith above all circumstances? He alone is a comfort to Jesus upon the cross and makes Him think (in answering his faith) of the Paradise that awaited Him when He should have finished the work that His Father had given Him to do. Observe the state of sanctification this poor man was in by faith. In all the agonies of the cross and while believing Jesus to be the Lord he seeks no relief at His hands but asks that He will remember him in His kingdom. He is filled with one thought-to have his portion with Jesus. He believes that the Lord will return; he believes in the kingdom while the King is rejected and crucified and when as to man there was no longer any hope. But the reply of Jesus goes farther in the revelation of that proper to this Gospel and adds that which brings in not the kingdom but everlasting life the happiness of the soul. The thief had asked Jesus to remember him when He returned in His kingdom. The Lord replies that he should not wait for that day of manifested glory which would be visible to the world but that this very day he should be with Him in Paradise. Precious testimony and perfect grace! Jesus crucified was more than King-He was Saviour. The poor malefactor was a testimony to it and the joy and consolation of the Lord's heart-the first-fruits of the love which had placed them side by side where if the poor thief bore the fruit of his sins from man the Lord of glory at his side was bearing the fruit of them from God treated as Himself a malefactor in the same condemnation. Through a work unknown to man save by faith the sins of His companion were for ever put away they no longer existed their remembrance was only that of the grace which had taken them away and which had for ever cleansed his soul from them making him that moment as fit to enter Paradise as Christ Himself his companion there!

The Lord then having fulfilled all things and still full of strength commends His spirit to His Father. He commits it to Him the last act of that which composed His whole life-the perfect energy of the Holy Ghost acting in a perfect confidence in His Father and dependence upon Him. He commits His spirit to His Father and expires. For it was death that He had before Him-but death in absolute faith which trusted in His Father-death with God by faith; and not the death that separated from God. Meantime nature veiled itself-acknowledged the departure from this world of Him who had created it. All is darkness. But on the other hand God reveals Himself-the veil of the temple is rent in twain from the top to the bottom. God had hidden Himself in thick darkness-the way into the holiest had not yet been manifested. But now there is no longer a veil; that which has put sin away through perfect love now shines forth while the holiness of God's presence is joy to the heart and not torment. What brings us into the presence of perfect holiness without a veil put away the sin which forbade us to be there. Our communion is with Him through Christ holy and unblameable before Him in love.

The poor centurion struck with all that had taken place confesses-such is the power of the cross upon the conscience-that this Jesus whom he has crucified was certainly the righteous man. I say conscience because I do not pretend to say that it went any farther than that in the case of the centurion. We see the same effect on the spectators: they went away smiting their breasts. They perceived that something solemn had happened-that they had fatally compromised themselves with God.

Footnotes

[1] This wilful guilt of the Jews is strongly brought out in John's Gospel also that is their national guilt. Pilate treats them with contempt; and there it is they say "We have no king but Caesar."

── John DarbySynopsis of Luke

 

Luke 23

Chapter Contents

Christ before Pilate. (1-5) Christ before Herod. (6-12) Barabbas preferred to Christ. (13-25) Christ speaks of the destruction of Jerusalem. (26-31) The crucifixion The repentant malefactor. (32-43) The death of Christ. (44-49) The burial of Christ. (50-56)

Commentary on Luke 23:1-5

(Read Luke 23:1-5)

Pilate well understood the difference between armed forces and our Lord's followers. But instead of being softened by Pilate's declaration of his innocence and considering whether they were not bringing the guilt of innocent blood upon themselves the Jews were the more angry. The Lord brings his designs to a glorious end even by means of those who follow the devices of their own hearts. Thus all parties joined so as to prove the innocence of Jesus who was the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Commentary on Luke 23:6-12

(Read Luke 23:6-12)

Herod had heard many things of Jesus in Galilee and out of curiosity longed to see him. The poorest beggar that asked a miracle for the relief of his necessity was never denied; but this proud prince who asked for a miracle only to gratify his curiosity is refused. He might have seen Christ and his wondrous works in Galilee and would not therefore it is justly said Now he would see them and shall not. Herod sent Christ again to Pilate: the friendships of wicked men are often formed by union in wickedness. They agree in little except in enmity to God and contempt of Christ.

Commentary on Luke 23:13-25

(Read Luke 23:13-25)

The fear of man brings many into this snare that they will do an unjust thing against their consciences rather than get into trouble. Pilate declares Jesus innocent and has a mind to release him; yet to please the people he would punish him as an evil-doer. If no fault be found in him why chastise him? Pilate yielded at length; he had not courage to go against so strong a stream. He delivered Jesus to their will to be crucified.

Commentary on Luke 23:26-31

(Read Luke 23:26-31)

We have here the blessed Jesus the Lamb of God led as a lamb to the slaughter to the sacrifice. Though many reproached and reviled him yet some pitied him. But the death of Christ was his victory and triumph over his enemies: it was our deliverance the purchase of eternal life for us. Therefore weep not for him but let us weep for our own sins and the sins of our children which caused his death; and weep for fear of the miseries we shall bring upon ourselves if we slight his love and reject his grace. If God delivered him up to such sufferings as these because he was made a sacrifice for sin what will he do with sinners themselves who make themselves a dry tree a corrupt and wicked generation and good for nothing! The bitter sufferings of our Lord Jesus should make us stand in awe of the justice of God. The best saints compared with Christ are dry trees; if he suffer why may not they expect to suffer? And what then shall the damnation of sinners be! Even the sufferings of Christ preach terror to obstinate transgressors.

Commentary on Luke 23:32-43

(Read Luke 23:32-43)

As soon as Christ was fastened to the cross he prayed for those who crucified him. The great thing he died to purchase and procure for us is the forgiveness of sin. This he prays for. Jesus was crucified between two thieves; in them were shown the different effects the cross of Christ would have upon the children of men in the preaching the gospel. One malefactor was hardened to the last. No troubles of themselves will change a wicked heart. The other was softened at the last: he was snatched as a brand out of the burning and made a monument of Divine mercy. This gives no encouragement to any to put off repentance to their death-beds or to hope that they shall then find mercy. It is certain that true repentance is never too late; but it is as certain that late repentance is seldom true. None can be sure they shall have time to repent at death but every man may be sure he cannot have the advantages this penitent thief had. We shall see the case to be singular if we observe the uncommon effects of God's grace upon this man. He reproved the other for railing on Christ. He owned that he deserved what was done to him. He believed Jesus to have suffered wrongfully. Observe his faith in this prayer. Christ was in the depth of disgrace suffering as a deceiver and not delivered by his Father. He made this profession before the wonders were displayed which put honour on Christ's sufferings and startled the centurion. He believed in a life to come and desired to be happy in that life; not like the other thief to be only saved from the cross. Observe his humility in this prayer. All his request is Lord remember me; quite referring it to Jesus in what way to remember him. Thus he was humbled in true repentance and he brought forth all the fruits for repentance his circumstances would admit. Christ upon the cross is gracious like Christ upon the throne. Though he was in the greatest struggle and agony yet he had pity for a poor penitent. By this act of grace we are to understand that Jesus Christ died to open the kingdom of heaven to all penitent obedient believers. It is a single instance in Scripture; it should teach us to despair of none and that none should despair of themselves; but lest it should be abused it is contrasted with the awful state of the other thief who died hardened in unbelief though a crucified Saviour was so near him. Be sure that in general men die as they live.

Commentary on Luke 23:44-49

(Read Luke 23:44-49)

We have here the death of Christ magnified by the wonders that attended it and his death explained by the words with which he breathed out his soul. He was willing to offer himself. Let us seek to glorify God by true repentance and conversion; by protesting against those who crucify the Saviour; by a sober righteous and godly life; and by employing our talents in the service of Him who died for us and rose again.

Commentary on Luke 23:50-56

(Read Luke 23:50-56)

Many though they do not make any show in outward profession yet like Joseph of Arimathea will be far more ready to do real service when there is occasion than others who make a greater noise. Christ was buried in haste because the sabbath drew on. Weeping must not hinder sowing. Though they were in tears for the death of their Lord yet they must prepare to keep holy the sabbath. When the sabbath draws on there must be preparation. Our worldly affairs must be so ordered that they may not hinder us from our sabbath work; and our holy affections so stirred up that they may carry us on in it. In whatever business we engage or however our hearts may be affected let us never fail to get ready for and to keep holy the day of sacred rest which is the Lord's day.

── Matthew HenryConcise Commentary on Luke

 

Luke 23

Verse 4

[4] Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people I find no fault in this man.

Then said Pilate — After having heard his defence-I find no fault in this man - I do not find that he either asserts or attempts any thing seditious or injurious to Cesar.

Verse 5

[5] And they were the more fierce saying He stirreth up the people teaching throughout all Jewry beginning from Galilee to this place.

He stirreth up the people beginning from Galilee — Probably they mentioned Galilee to alarm Pilate because the Galileans were notorious for sedition and rebellion.

Verse 7

[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.

He sent him to Herod — As his proper judge.

Verse 8

[8] And when Herod saw Jesus he was exceeding glad: for 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.

He had been long desirous to see him — Out of mere curiosity.

Verse 9

[9] Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.

He questioned him — Probably concerning the miracles which were reported to have been wrought by him.

Verse 11

[11] And Herod 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.

Herod set him at nought — Probably judging him to be a fool because he answered nothing.

In a splendid robe — In royal apparel; intimating that he feared nothing from this king.

Verse 15

[15] No nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and lo nothing worthy of death is done unto him.

He hath done nothing worthy of death — According to the judgment of Herod also.

Verse 16

[16] I will therefore chastise him and release him.

I will therefore chastise him — Here Pilate began to give ground which only encouraged them to press on. Matthew 27:15; Mark 15:6; John 18:39.

Verse 22

[22] And he said unto them the third time Why what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him and let him go.

He said to them the third time Why what evil hath he done? — As Peter a disciple of Christ dishonoured him by denying him thrice so Pilate a heathen honoured Christ by thrice owning him to be innocent.

Verse 26

[26] And as they led him away they laid hold upon one Simon a Cyrenian coming out of the country and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.

Matthew 27:31; Mark 15:21; John 19:16.

Verse 30

[30] Then shall they begin to say to the mountains Fall on us; and to the hills Cover us.

Hosea 10:8.

Verse 31

[31] For if they do these things in a green tree what shall be done in the dry?

If they do these things in the green tree what shall be done in the dry? — Our Lord makes use of a proverbial expression frequent among the Jews who compare a good man to a green tree and a bad man to a dead one: as if he had said If an innocent person suffer thus what will become of the wicked? Of those who are as ready for destruction as dry wood for the fire?

Verse 34

[34] Then said Jesus Father forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment and cast lots.

Then said Jesus — Our Lord passed most of the time on the cross in silence: yet seven sentences which he spoke thereon are recorded by the four evangelists though no one evangelist has recorded them all. Hence it appears that the four Gospels are as it were four parts which joined together make one symphony. Sometimes one of these only sometimes two or three sometimes all sound together.

Father — So he speaks both in the beginning and at the end of his sufferings on the cross: Forgive them - How striking is this passage! While they are actually nailing him to the cross he seems to feel the injury they did to their own souls more than the wounds they gave him; and as it were to forget his own anguish out of a concern for their own salvation. And how eminently was his prayer heard! It procured forgiveness for all that were penitent and a suspension of vengeance even for the impenitent.

Verse 35

[35] And the 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.

If thou be the Christ; Luke 23:37.

If thou be the king — The priests deride the name of Messiah: the soldiers the name of king.

Verse 38

[38] And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:26; John 19:19.

Verse 39

[39] And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him saying If thou be Christ save thyself and us.

And one of the malefactors reviled him — St. Matthew says the robbers: St. Mark they that were crucified with him reviled him. Either therefore St. Matthew and Mark put the plural for the singular (as the best authors sometimes do) or both reviled him at the first till one of them felt "the overwhelming power of saving grace."

Verse 40

[40] But the other answering rebuked him saying Dost not thou fear God seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

The other rebuked him — What a surprising degree was here of repentance faith and other graces! And what abundance of good works in his public confession of his sin reproof of his fellow criminal his honourable testimony to Christ and profession of faith in him while he was in so disgraceful circumstances as were stumbling even to his disciples! This shows the power of Divine grace. But it encourages none to put off their repentance to the last hour; since as far as appears this was the first time this criminal had an opportunity of knowing any thing of Christ and his conversion was designed to put a peculiar glory on our Saviour in his lowest state while his enemies derided him and his own disciples either denied or forsook him.

Verse 42

[42] And he said unto Jesus Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

Remember me when thou comest — From heaven in thy kingdom - He acknowledges him a king and such a king as after he is dead can profit the dead. The apostles themselves had not then so clear conceptions of the kingdom of Christ.

Verse 43

[43] And Jesus said unto him Verily I say unto thee To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

In paradise — The place where the souls of the righteous remain from death till the resurrection. As if he had said I will not only remember thee then but this very day.

Verse 44

[44] And it was about the sixth hour and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

There was darkness over all the earth — The noon-tide darkness covering the sun obscured all the upper hemisphere. And the lower was equally darkened the moon being in opposition to the sun and so receiving no light from it. Matthew 27:45.

Verse 45

[45] And the sun was darkened and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

Mark 15:38.

Verse 46

[46] And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice he said Father into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus he gave up the ghost.

Father into thy hands — The Father receives the Spirit of Jesus: Jesus himself the spirits of the faithful.

Verse 47

[47] Now when the centurion saw what was done he glorified God saying Certainly this was a righteous man.

Certainly this was a righteous man — Which implies an approbation of all he had done and taught.

Verse 48

[48] And all the people that came together to that sight beholding the things which were done smote their breasts and returned.

All the people — Who had not been actors therein returned smiting their breasts - In testimony of sorrow.

Verse 50

[50] And behold there was a man named Joseph a counsellor; and he was a good man and a just:

Matthew 27:57; Mark 15:43; John 19:38.

── John ‘WesleyExplanatory Notes on Luke

 

Chapter 23. Go Through Death

One Criminal Blasphemes
The Other Repents

I. Tried before Pilate

  1. Find No Fault
  2. Loud Voices Prevail
  3. Release Barabbas

II. Jesus Crucified

  1. Simon Bears the Cross
  2. Women Mourn and Lament
  3. Lined with Criminals

III. Buried with the Rich

  1. In a New Tomb
  2. Spices and Fragrant Oils
  3. Enter Rest
── Chih-Hsin ChangAn Outline of The New Testament