Luke 23 - Introduction
CHAPTER 23. THE PASSION HISTORY CONTINUED.... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 23. THE PASSION HISTORY CONTINUED.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἅπαν τὸ πλῆθος, the whole number. The Jewish authorities go to Pilate in full strength to make as imposing an appearance as possible and create the impression that something serious was on hand. ἤγαγεν : nothing is said about leading Jesus _bound_, as in Mt. and Mk.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Before Pilate_ (Matthew 27:1-2; Matthew 27:11-14; Mark 15:1-5). At the morning meeting of the Sanhedrim (in Mt. and Mk.) it had doubtless been resolved to put the confession of Jesus that He was the Christ into a shape fit to be laid before Pilate, _i.e._, to give it a political character, and char... [ Continue Reading ]
διαστρέφοντα, perverting, causing disaffection and disloyalty to Rome. κωλύοντα, doing His best to prevent (people from paying tribute to Caesar); false, and they probably knew it to be so, but it was a serviceable lie. βασιλέα : in apposition with Χριστὸν = saying that He was Christ a _King!_... [ Continue Reading ]
σὺ εἶ, etc.: Pilate's question exactly as in Mt. and Mk. σὺ λέγεις : this reply needs some such explanation as is given in John; _vide_ notes on Mt.... [ Continue Reading ]
αἴτιον, blameworthy, punishable (neuter of αἴτιος) = αἰτία. Pilate arrived at his conclusion very swiftly. A glance sufficed to satisfy him that Jesus was no dangerous character. Probably he thought him a man with a fixed idea.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐπίσχυον (here only in N.T.), they kept insisting, used absolutely = “invalescebant,” Vulg [191] ἀνασείει, stirs up, a stronger word than διαστρέφειν. διδάσκων, teaching, the instrument of excitement. Jesus did, in fact, produce a great impression on the people by His teaching, and one not favourabl... [ Continue Reading ]
_Before Herod_, peculiar to Lk.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἀνέπεμψεν, remitted Him = _remisit_, sent Him to, not the higher (Meyer), but the proper tribunal: a Galilean, to the tetrarch of Galilee; a technical term. ἐν Ἱεροσ. Herod would be in Jerusalem to keep the Passover, though that is not stated.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐχάρη λίαν, was much pleased, “exceeding glad” (A.V [192] and R.V [193]) is too grave a phrase to express the feeling of this worthless man, who simply expected from the meeting with Jesus a “new amusement” (Schanz), such as might be got from a conjurer who could perform some clever tricks (τι σημεῖ... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐν λόγοις ἱκανοῖς : suggesting the idea of a desultory conversation, in which the king introduced topic after topic in a random, incoherent manner, showing no serious interest in any of his questions. οὐδὲν ἀπεκρίνατο, answered nothing, which would greatly astonish and pique this kingling, accustome... [ Continue Reading ]
οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς, etc., priests and scribes, there too, having followed Jesus, afraid that the case might take an unfavourable turn in their absence. εὐτόνως, eagerly (Acts 18:28).... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐξουθενήσας : on this verb and kindred forms, _vide_ at Mark 9:12. Herod, feeling slighted by Jesus, slights Him in turn, inciting his bodyguards (τοῖς στρατεύμασιν, which cannot here mean armies) to mock Him, and having Him invested with a costly robe, probably a cast-off royal mantle of his own, a... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐγένοντο φίλοι : that the one positive result of the transaction two rulers, previously on bad terms, reconciled, at least for the time. Sending Jesus to Herod was a politic act on Pilate's part. It might have ended the case so far as he was concerned; it pleased a jealous prince, and it gave him a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pilate proposes to release Jesus_.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἀποστρέφοντα, turning away (the people from their allegiance). In Acts 3:26, of turning men from their iniquities. ἐνώπιον ὑ ἀνακρίνας, having made an inquiry _in your presence_. In John, Pilate's inquiry is private. “He says this,” remarks Pricaeus, “lest they should think he was setting Jesus free... [ Continue Reading ]
αὐτῷ : some have taken this as referring to Herod = Herod did nothing in the case, implying that it was of a serious, capital nature. Most take it as referring to Jesus = behold, the result of sending to Herod is that in his judgment nothing has been done deserving death by the accused. αὐτῷ instead... [ Continue Reading ]
παιδεύσας : doubtless used here in the Hellenistic sense of chastise, scourge a mild name for an ugly thing. The policy of the proposal Euthy. thus explains: “a moderate flagellation (μετρίαν μαστίγωσιν) to mitigate their wrath, that thinking they had gained their point they might cease from further... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 23:17, which states that Pilate was under a necessity (why, not explained) to release one (prisoner) at feast time, is almost certainly imported from the parallels by a later hand, though it fills up an obvious hiatus in Lk.'s meagre narrative.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pilate finally succumbs_ (Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15).... [ Continue Reading ]
παμπληθεί : adverb, from παμπληθής (here only in N.T.) = in the whole-mob style, giving a vivid idea of the overpowering shout raised. αἶρε τοῦτον, take away this one, _i.e._, to the cross. ἀπόλυσον, release; if ye will release some one (Luke 23:16, ἀπολύσω) let it be Barabbas. Lk. makes this demand... [ Continue Reading ]
ὅστις seems to be = ὅς here, following the growing usage of later Greek (Schanz, _vide_ Buttmann, _Gram._, p. 115). διὰ στάσιν … καὶ φόνον = διὰ φόνον ἐν στάσει πεποιημένον, Pricaeus. ἦν βληθείς : instead of ἔβληθη, the analytic form is unusual with the aorist (here only in N.T.), hence probably the... [ Continue Reading ]
πάλιν, again, a second time. Lk. carefully enumerates the friendly attempts of Pilate, hence τρίτον in Luke 23:22. The first is in Luke 23:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐπεφώνουν, shouted (βοᾷ κράζει, Hesych.), in Lk. only, and in reference to the people (Acts 12:22). σταύρου (active, not middle = σταυροῦ), “crucify,” repeated, with passion; thoughtless, foolish, impulsive mob!... [ Continue Reading ]
τρίτον : third and final attempt, showing some measure of earnestness on Pilate's part. τί γὰρ κακόν : the γὰρ answers to the hostile mood of the people = I cannot respond to your demand for, etc.; the “why, what evil,” etc., of the A.V [196] is a happy rendering. In this final appeal, Pilate states... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐπέκειντο, “they were instant,” A.V [197] The verb is used absolutely. κατίσχυον, were overpowering; “ecce gentis ingenium!” Pricaeus. [197] Authorised Version.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐπέκρινεν, decided, gave judgment; here only in N.T. and in 2Ma 4:47, Malachi 4:2; Malachi 4:2. It was not a condemnation but simply a sentence to death under pressure. αἴτημα, desire, here and in Philippians 4:6 in this sense.... [ Continue Reading ]
τὸν διὰ σ.: the repetition of this description, instead of giving the name, is very expressive. τῷ θελήματι α., to their will. Weak man and wicked people!... [ Continue Reading ]
ἀπήγαγον : who led Jesus away is not indicated. It might seem it was the mob, to whose will Jesus had just been delivered. But Lk. does not mean that. He simply continues the story, as in Mk., omitting the mockery of the soldiers (Mark 15:16-20), who, that brutal sport ended, led Him out (ἐξάγουσιν,... [ Continue Reading ]
_On the way to the cross_ (Matthew 27:31-34; Mark 15:21).... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐπʼ ἐμέ, ἐφʼ ἑαυτὰς are brought close together to emphasise the contrast = weep not for _me_, but for _yourselves_ weep, hinting at the tragedies of Jerusalem's fatal day. At such times the greatest joy, that of motherhood, is turned into the greatest misery (Holtzmann, H. C.). The mothers ever have... [ Continue Reading ]
(μακάριαι, etc.: blessed the women that have no children, barren, or unmarried: nobody to care for but themselves. The reflection implies keen sympathy with human feeling.... [ Continue Reading ]
τοῖς ὄρεσι, τοῖς βουνοῖς : the reference is to Palestine, a land of mountains and hills, and the prayer of the miserable that a hill may fall on them and bury them under its ruins (quoted from Hosea 10:8).... [ Continue Reading ]
The sense of this proverbial phrase is obscure, but the connection demands this general idea: what is happening to me now is nothing to what is going to happen to this people. The green tree represents innocence, the dry tree guilt, ripe for the fire of judgment. _Vide_ Ezekiel 20:47; Ezekiel 21:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἕτεροι δύο κακοῦργοι, other two malefactors, as if Jesus was one also. But this is not meant. “It is a negligent construction, common to all languages, and not liable to be misunderstood,” remarks Field (_Ot. Nor._), who gives an example from the Communion service. “If he require further comfort or... [ Continue Reading ]
_Crucifixion_ (Matthew 27:35-38; Mark 15:24-27). κρανίον, a skull, for the Hebrew Γολγοθά in Mt. and Mk.... [ Continue Reading ]
Πάτερ, etc.: a prayer altogether true to the spirit of Jesus, therefore, though reported by Lk. alone, intrinsically credible. It is with sincere regret that one is compelled, by its omission in important MSS., to regard its genuineness as subject to a certain amount of doubt. In favour of it is its... [ Continue Reading ]
θεωρῶν : the people are now mere spectators. Have they begun to rue already when they see what their demand has come to? Observe the words θεωρίαν and θεωρήσαντες in Luke 23:48. When they had gazed long enough it came to decided poignant regret. Fickle mob! οἱ ἄρχοντες : they alone, the rulers of th... [ Continue Reading ]
οἱ στρατιῶται, the soldiers; first mention of them, whether there as executioners or as keeping order does not appear in Lk.'s narrative. They too mock in their own rough way, offering the sufferer vinegar by way of grim joke (Meyer). So Lk. understands the matter. Note how he hurries over these bru... [ Continue Reading ]
The taunt put into the mouth of the soldiers is a pointless echo of the sneers of the rulers. The crucified one might be a _King_, yet be unable to save Himself. The Christ, elect of God, might be conceived endowed with supernatural power.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐπʼ αὐτῷ, over Him, _i.e._, above His head; or in reference to Him (Bleek). The ἐπιγραφὴ is viewed by Lk. as also an insult, crowning the others (ἦν δὲ καὶ), to which answers its form as in W. and H [199] : ὁ βασιλεὺς τ. Ἰ. οὗτος = the King of the Jews _this_ (crucified person). [199] Westcott and... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐβλασφήμει : the wretched man caught up the taunt of the rulers and, half in coarse contempt, half by way of petition, repeated it, with καὶ ἡμᾶς added, which redeemed the utterance from being a gratuitous insult.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The penitent malefactor_, peculiar to Lk. and congenial to the spirit of the Gospel of the sinful.... [ Continue Reading ]
οὐδὲ φοβῇ σὺ τ. θ.: οὐδὲ may be connected with, and the emphasis may fall on, either φοβῇ, σὺ, or θεόν = (1) dost thou not even _fear_ God, not to speak of any higher religious feeling? (2) dost not even _thou_, in contrast to these mockers of misery, fear, etc.? (3) dost thou not fear _God_, at lea... [ Continue Reading ]
ἄτοπον (α pr. and τόπος): primarily out of place, unfitting, absurd, often in Plato; in later usage bearing a moral sense wrong, wicked (ἄτοπα πονηρὰ, αἰσχρὰ, Hesych.); of persons 2 Thessalonians 3:2, in the sense of physically hurtful in Acts 28:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
καὶ ἔλεγεν · Ἰησοῦ, and he said: Jesus! not _to_ Jesus as T. R. signifies. ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ σ.: when Thou comest in Thy kingdom = when Thou comest as King to earth again, the petition meaning: may I be among those whom Thou shalt raise from the dead to share its joys! The reading of [200] [201], εἰς τ... [ Continue Reading ]
σήμερον : to be connected with what follows, not with λέγω = _to-day_, as opposed to a boon expected at some future time (which makes for the reading ἐν τῇ β. in Luke 23:42). Or the point may be: this very day, not tomorrow or the next day, as implying speedy release by death, instead of a slow ling... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐφʼ ὅλην τὴν γῆν : though Lk. writes for Gentiles this phrase need not mean more than over the whole land of Israel.... [ Continue Reading ]
_After crucifixion_ (Matthew 27:45-56; Mark 15:33-41).... [ Continue Reading ]
τοῦ ἡλίου ἐκλιπόντος : this phrase (a well-attested reading as against the T.R. ἐσκοτίσθη ὁ ἥ.) ought to mean the sun being eclipsed, an impossibility when the moon is full. If all that was meant was the sun's light totally failing, darkened, _e.g._, by a sand storm, the natural expression would be... [ Continue Reading ]
φωνῇ μεγάλῃ : this expression is used in Mt. and Mk. in connection with the “My God, My God,” which Lk. omits. In its place comes the “Father, into Thy hands”. Here as in the agony in the garden Lk.'s account fails to sound the depths of Christ's humiliation. It must not be inferred that he did not... [ Continue Reading ]
ὁ ἑκατοντάρχης, the centurion, in command of the soldiers named in Luke 23:36. δίκαιος, righteous, innocent; in the parallels he confesses that Jesus is a Son of God. Lk. is careful to accumulate testimonies to Christ's _innocence_ : first the robber, then the centurion, then the multitude (Luke 23:... [ Continue Reading ]
θεωρίαν, sight, here only (3Ma 5:24). τὰ γενόμενα, the things that had happened; comprehensively, including the crucifixion and all its accompaniments. They had looked on and listened, and the result was regret that they had had anything to do with bringing such a fate on such a man. τύπτοντες τ. σ.... [ Continue Reading ]
οἱ γνωστοὶ, His acquaintances, Galileans mostly, who stood till the end, but far away. Mt. and Mk. do not mention this. No word of the eleven. καὶ γυναῖκες : warm-hearted Galileans they too, and _women_, therefore bolder where the heart was concerned; nearer presumably, therefore “seeing” predicted... [ Continue Reading ]
καὶ ἰδού : introducing the bright side of the tragic picture, a welcome relief after the harrowing incidents previously related: the Victim of injustice honourably buried by a good man, who is described with greater fulness of detail than in Mt. and Mk. ἀνὴρ ἀγαθὸς καὶ δίκαιος, a man generous or nob... [ Continue Reading ]
_The burial_ (Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47).... [ Continue Reading ]
οὐκ ἦν συγκατατεθειμένος, was not a consenting party, here only in N. T. Alford thinks the meaning is that he absented himself from the meeting. Let us hope it means more than that: present at the meeting, and dissenting from its proceedings. τ. βουλῇ καὶ τ. πράξει, their counsel and their subsequen... [ Continue Reading ]
λαξευτῷ, cut out of stone, here only, and in Deuteronomy 4:49. οὐκ, οὐδέπω οὐδεὶς, an accumulation of negatives to emphasise the honour done to Jesus by depositing His body in a previously unused tomb.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐπέφωσκε, was about to dawn, _illucescebat_, Vulgate. The evening is meant, and the word seems inappropriate. Lk. may have used it as if he had been speaking of a natural day (as in Matthew 28:1) by a kind of inadvertence, or it may have been used with reference to the candles lit in honour of the d... [ Continue Reading ]
αἵτινες : possibly = αἵ, but possibly meant to suggest the idea of distinction: Galilean women, and such in character as you would expect them to be: leal-hearted, passionately devoted to their dead Friend. ἀρώματα, spices, dry. μύρα, ointments, liquid.... [ Continue Reading ]
κατὰ τὴν ἐντολήν : they respected the Sabbath law as commonly understood. The purchase of spices and ointments is viewed by some as a proof that the day of Christ's crucifixion was an ordinary working day.... [ Continue Reading ]