Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Luke 23:44

ὡσεὶ ὥρα ἕκτη. I.e. mid-day. This seems at first sight to contradict John 19:14, but there is fair ground to conjecture that ‘sixth’ (which would be written ϛ') was an early misreading for ‘third’ (written Γ'). For other proposed solutions of the discrepancy see Life of Christ, II. 385. The solution which asserts that St John used a different way of reckoning time is very precarious. St Luke omits the presence of the Virgin and the two other Marys and Salome at the Cross, and the words “Woman, behold thy son,” “Behold thy mother.” During the three hours’ darkness no incident is recorded, but we trace a deepening sense of remorse and horror in the crowd. The fact that the sun was thus “turned into darkness” was, at last, that ‘sign from heaven’ for which the Pharisees had mockingly asked.

ἐφ' ὅλην τὴν γῆν. ‘Over all the land’ (not “earth” as in A.V[410]). There is no reason to believe that the darkness was over all the world. The Fathers (Origen, c. Cels. II. 33, 59, and Jerome, Chron.) indeed appeal to two heathen historians—Phlegon and Thallus—for a confirmation of it, but the testimony is too vague to be relied on either as to time or circumstance. They both speak of an eclipse.

[410] A.V. Authorised Version.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Luke 23:44

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