Luke 23 Free Bible Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 The whole council rose and took him to Pilate.
1 The whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate.
2 There they started to accuse him. “We found this man deceiving our nation, telling people not to pay taxes to Caesar, and claiming he is Messiah, a king,” they said.
2 They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting the nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”
3 “Are you the King of the Jews?” Pilate asked him. “So you say,” replied Jesus.
3 Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “So you say.”
4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I don't find this man guilty of any crime.”
4 Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
5 But they insisted, saying, “He is inciting rebellion all over Judea with his teachings, from Galilee to right here in Jerusalem.”
5 But they insisted, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place.”
6 When he heard this, Pilate asked, “Is this man a Galilean?”
6 But when Pilate heard Galilee mentioned, he asked if the man was a Galilean.
7 When he discovered that Jesus came under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was also in Jerusalem at the time.
7 When he found out that he was in Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.
8 Herod was very pleased to see Jesus since he had wanted to meet him for a long time. He had heard about Jesus and was hoping to see him perform a miracle.
8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard many things about him. He hoped to see some miracle done by him.
9 He asked Jesus many questions, but Jesus did not answer him at all.
9 He questioned him with many words, but he gave no answers.
10 The chief priests and religious teachers stood there, angrily accusing him.
10 The chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him.
11 Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and mocked him. Then they placed a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate.
11 Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him. Dressing him in luxurious clothing, they sent him back to Pilate.
12 From that day on Herod and Pilate were friends—before that they had been enemies.
12 Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before that they were enemies with each other.
13 Pilate called together the chief priests, rulers, and the people,
13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,
14 and told them, “You brought this man before me, accusing him of inciting the people to rebellion. I've carefully examined him in your presence, and do not find him guilty of the charges you have brought against him.
14 and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one that perverts the people, and behold, having examined him before you, I found no basis for a charge against this man concerning those things of which you accuse him.
15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. He has done nothing that demands he should be put to death.
15 Neither has Herod, for I sent you to him, and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by him.
16 So I will have him flogged and then release him.”
16 I will therefore chastise him and release him.”
17 Not in this translation
17 Now he had to release one prisoner to them at the feast.
18 But they all shouted together, “Kill this man, and release Barabbas to us.”
18 But they all cried out together, saying, “Away with this man! Release to us Barabbas!”—
19 (Barabbas had been put in prison for taking part in a rebellion in the city, and for murder.)
19 one who was thrown into prison for a certain revolt in the city, and for murder.
20 Pilate wanted to release Jesus, so spoke to them again.
20 Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus,
21 But they kept on shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
21 but they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!”
22 Pilate asked them for the third time, “But why? What crime has he committed? I don't find any reason for executing him. So I will have him flogged and then release him.”
22 He said to them the third time, “Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.”
23 But they continued insisting with loud shouts, demanding that he be crucified. Their shouting succeeded,
23 But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. Their voices and the voices of the chief priests prevailed.
24 and Pilate gave the sentence they demanded.
24 Pilate decreed that what they asked for should be done.
25 He released the man imprisoned for rebellion and murder, but he sent Jesus to be put to death in accordance with their demands.
25 He released him who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus up to their will.
26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized a man called Simon of Cyrene, who had come in from the countryside. They put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.
26 When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry it after Jesus.
27 A large crowd followed him, along with women who were mourning and lamenting him.
27 A great multitude of the people followed him, including women who also mourned and lamented him.
28 Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don't weep for me. Weep for yourselves and your children.
28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
29 For the time is coming when they'll say, ‘Happy are those who are childless, and those who never had babies, and those who never nursed them.’
29 For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’
30 They'll say to the mountains, ‘Fall down on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’
30 Then they will begin to tell the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and tell the hills, ‘Cover us.’
31 For if they do this to wood that is green, what will happen when it's dried out?”
31 For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?”
32 They also took two others who were criminals to be executed with him.
32 There were also others, two criminals, led with him to be put to death.
33 When they reached the place called the Skull they crucified him together with the criminals, one on his right, and the other on his left.
33 When they came to the place that is called “The Skull”, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.
34 Jesus said, “Father, please forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing.” They divided up his clothes by throwing dice for them.
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots.
35 The people stood and watched and the leaders sneered at Jesus. “He saved others, let him save himself, if he is really God's Messiah, the Chosen One,” they said.
35 The people stood watching. The rulers with them also scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen one!”
36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up to him and offering him wine vinegar, saying,
36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar,
37 “If you're the King of the Jews, then save yourself.”
37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”
38 Above Jesus was a sign on which it was written, “This is the King of the Jews.”
38 An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
39 One of the criminals hanging there joined in the insults against Jesus. “Aren't you the Messiah?” he asked. “Then save yourself—and us too!”
39 One of the criminals who was hanged insulted him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal disagreed and argued with him, “Don't you fear God even when you're suffering the same punishment?” he asked.
40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Don’t you even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?
41 “For us the sentence is right since we're being punished for what we did, but this man didn't do anything wrong.”
41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, please remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
42 He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
43 Jesus replied, “I promise you today you will be with me in paradise.”
43 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
44 By this time it was around noon and darkness fell over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
44 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
45 The sun's light was shut out, and the Temple veil was torn in two.
45 The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.
46 Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, I place myself in your hands.” Having said this he breathed his last.
46 Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Having said this, he breathed his last.
47 When the centurion saw what had happened he praised God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.”
47 When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous man.”
48 When all the crowds that had come to watch saw what happened they went home beating their chests in grief.
48 All the multitudes that came together to see this, when they saw the things that were done, returned home beating their chests.
49 But all those who knew Jesus, including the women who'd followed him from Galilee, watched from a distance.
49 All his acquaintances and the women who followed with him from Galilee stood at a distance, watching these things.
50 There was a man called Joseph who was good and honest. He was a member of the council,
50 Behold, there was a man named Joseph, who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man
51 but he hadn't agreed with its decisions and actions. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God.
51 (he had not consented to their counsel and deed), from Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was also waiting for God’s Kingdom.
52 Joseph went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body.
52 This man went to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body.
53 Once he'd taken it down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth. He laid Jesus in an unused tomb cut into the rock.
53 He took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was cut in stone, where no one had ever been laid.
54 It was preparation day and the Sabbath would soon begin.
54 It was the day of the Preparation, and the Sabbath was drawing near.
55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee had followed Joseph and had seen the tomb where Jesus' body had been laid.
55 The women who had come with him out of Galilee followed after, and saw the tomb and how his body was laid.
56 They returned home and prepared spices and ointments. But on the Sabbath they rested, observing the commandment.
56 They returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Simon of Cyrene
A man from Cyrene coming in from the country whom the soldiers forced to carry the cross of Jesus; Mark calls him the father of Alexander and Rufus.
Cited in the guide: Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26
Cross references (53)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Matthew 27:1–2; Mark 15:1–5; Matthew 27:11–14; Luke 22:66; John 18:28–38
- 2 Acts 17:6–7; Luke 23:14; John 19:12; Mark 14:61–62; Luke 22:69–70
- 3 John 1:49; 1 Timothy 6:13; Luke 1:32–33; Mark 15:2; Luke 22:70
- 4 John 18:38; 1 Peter 1:19; 1 Peter 2:22; Hebrews 7:26; Mark 15:14
- 5 John 1:43; John 2:11; Mark 1:14; Matthew 4:23; John 19:15
- 6 Acts 5:37; Luke 13:1
- 7 Luke 3:1; Luke 13:31; Matthew 14:1
- 8 Luke 9:7–9; Mark 6:14; Matthew 14:1; 2 Kings 5:11; Acts 8:19
- 9 Matthew 27:14; 1 Peter 2:23; Luke 13:32; Isaiah 53:7; Psalm 39:9
- 10 Luke 23:14–15; Luke 11:53; Luke 23:5; Luke 23:2; Acts 24:5
- 11 Mark 15:16–20; Matthew 27:27–30; Isaiah 53:3; Psalm 69:19–20; John 19:5
- 12 Acts 4:27; Revelation 17:13–14; Matthew 16:1; Psalm 83:4–6
- 13 John 18:38; Matthew 27:21–23; Mark 15:14; John 19:4
- 14 Daniel 6:4; Hebrews 7:26; Luke 23:4–5; Acts 13:28; Matthew 27:19
- 16 Matthew 27:26; Luke 23:22; Mark 15:15; Isaiah 53:5; Acts 5:40–41
- 18 Acts 21:36; Acts 3:14; Acts 22:22; John 18:39–40; Mark 15:6–15
- 19 Acts 3:14; Luke 23:5; Luke 23:2
- 20 Mark 15:15; Matthew 14:8–9; John 19:12; Matthew 27:19
- 21 Matthew 27:22–25; Luke 23:23; Mark 15:13; John 19:15
- 22 Luke 23:14; Luke 23:20; 1 Peter 3:18; Luke 23:16; 1 Peter 1:19
- 23 Zechariah 11:8; Psalm 57:4; Psalm 22:12–13; Luke 23:5
- 24 Matthew 27:26; Proverbs 17:15; Exodus 23:2; Mark 15:15; John 19:1
- 25 Acts 3:14; Mark 15:15; Mark 15:6–7; Matthew 27:26; Luke 23:5
- 26 Matthew 27:32–44; Mark 15:21–32; Luke 9:23; Acts 2:10; Luke 14:27
- 27 Luke 8:52; Luke 8:2; Mark 15:40; Luke 23:55; Matthew 27:55
- 28 Song of Songs 8:4; Song of Songs 2:7; Song of Songs 1:5; Song of Songs 3:10; Song of Songs 5:8
- 29 Matthew 24:19; Luke 21:23–24; Mark 13:17–19; Hosea 9:12–16; Hosea 13:16
- 30 Revelation 6:16; Hosea 10:8; Isaiah 2:19; Revelation 9:6
- 31 1 Peter 4:17–18; Proverbs 11:31; John 15:6; Ezekiel 20:47–48; Ezekiel 15:2–7
- 32 Mark 15:27; Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 27:38; John 19:18; Hebrews 12:2
- 33 Mark 15:22–23; John 19:17–18; Zechariah 12:10; Matthew 27:33–34; Deuteronomy 21:23
- 34 Matthew 5:44; Acts 7:60; 1 Peter 3:9; 1 Peter 2:20–23; Luke 6:27–28
- 35 Psalm 22:17; Isaiah 42:1; 1 Peter 2:4; Mark 15:29–32; Matthew 12:18
- 36 Psalm 69:21; Matthew 27:48; Matthew 27:34; Mark 15:36; Mark 15:19–20
- 38 Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:26; John 19:19–22; Luke 23:3; Mark 15:32
- 39 Matthew 27:44; Mark 15:32; Luke 23:35; Luke 23:37; Luke 17:34–35
- 40 Luke 12:5; Revelation 15:4; Ephesians 5:11; Psalm 36:1; Jeremiah 5:3
- 41 Leviticus 26:40–41; Ezra 9:13; Matthew 27:4; 1 Peter 1:19; Matthew 27:24
- 42 Romans 10:9–14; Acts 16:31; 1 John 5:11–13; 1 Corinthians 6:10–11; Luke 12:8
- 43 Revelation 2:7; Psalm 50:15; 1 Timothy 1:15–16; Luke 19:10; Psalm 32:5
- 44 Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33–34; Amos 8:9; Acts 2:20; John 19:14
- 45 Hebrews 10:19–22; Matthew 27:51; Hebrews 9:3–8; Mark 15:38; Ephesians 2:14–18
- 46 Psalm 31:5; Acts 7:59; John 19:30; 1 Peter 2:23; Mark 15:34–41
- 47 Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 23:41; Matthew 9:8
- 48 Luke 18:13; Acts 2:37; Jeremiah 31:19
- 49 Luke 8:2; Psalm 38:11; Luke 23:55; Matthew 27:55–56; Mark 15:40–41
- 50 John 19:38–42; Acts 11:24; Acts 10:22; Acts 10:2; Mark 15:42–47
- 51 Luke 2:25; Luke 2:38; Isaiah 8:12; Genesis 37:21–22; Genesis 42:21–22
- 52 John 19:38–42
- 53 Matthew 27:59–60; Mark 15:46; Isaiah 53:9
- 54 Matthew 27:62; John 19:31; Mark 15:42; John 19:14; John 19:42
- 55 Luke 23:49; Luke 8:2; Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47
- 56 Luke 24:1; Mark 16:1; Deuteronomy 5:14; Exodus 20:8–10; Jeremiah 17:24–25
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
And from this fact, that He exclaimed upon the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," the long-suffering, patience, compassion, and goodness of Christ are exhibited, since He both suffered, and did Himself exculpate those who had maltreated Him.
… be mindful of mercy." What is this but that He puts Himself for the Jews, of whose nation He was, who were troubled with great anger and crucified Christ, when He, mindful of mercy, said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do? "God shall come from Teman, and the Holy One from the shady and close mountain." …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)
… judge others, when one is chargeable with the same things." And why marvel at His establishing this law, when even the very thief knew it upon the cross, saying to the other thief, "Dost not thou fear God, seeing we are in the same condemnation;" expressing the same sentiments with Christ?
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
There is yet another witness of the sinlessness of Jesus,--the robber, the first man admitted into Paradise; who rebuked his fellow, and said, "We receive the due reward of our deeds; but this man hath done nothing amiss; for we were present, both thou and I, at His judgment."
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)
And on this account our Lord also on the cross says, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do:" for, not yet having become partakers of the grace of the Holy Spirit, they had not yet entered the fellowship of the holy brotherhood.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 6 (1888)