Lucas 23

Lucas 23

From Jensen's Survey of the NT by permission John MacArthur's Introduction to the Gospel of Luke Charles Swindoll's Introduction to Luke Luke Overview Chart by Charles Swindoll Click chart to enlarge LIFE OF CHRIST IN GOSPEL OF LUKE (See Shaded Areas) Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission Ryrie Study Bible -Borrow Source: ESV Global Study Bible RETRACING CHRIST'S LAST HOURS: THE ARREST, THE TRIALS, AND THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST Map of Jerusalem Retracing Christ's last footsteps on earth: Here is a map of "Passion Week". Here is another similar map of Jesus' Arrest, Trial and Crucifixion) Hint: Locate the "Upper Room" (found on left side of picture) in the diagram and then follow the arrows which retrace the footsteps of the Messiah, steps which had been foreordained in eternity past "by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God" (Acts 2:23+, cp Acts 4:27-28+) taking Him from the Upper Room to the excruciating agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, to the tragic betrayal by a friend resulting in His unfair arrest, leading to 6 unjust trials (see table below) which culminate in the central event in all eternity, Christ on the Cross on Calvary. The numbers below correlate with the numbers on the map with the arrows on the lines signifying the direction of Jesus' movement) (1) Jesus left the Upper Room (see left side of picture just below Caiaphas' Residence) and walked with disciples out of the city, across the Kidron Valley and up to the Mount of Olives and from there to the nearby Garden of Gethsemane (see right upper side of picture) (2) He was arrested in the Garden and taken back into the city, first to an informal "trial" before Annas (who apparently lived next to Caiaphas) and then to Caiaphas' Residence (the location is an approximation) where the Jewish Council (Sanhedrin) were gathered. (3). After His first night time "trial" before the Sanhedrin at Caiaphas’ residence, Jesus was tried at daybreak before the Sanhedrin, probably at the Temple (see Herod's Temple) as shown in the diagram above. (4) Jesus is taken from the trial before the Sanhedrin (5) Next, he was taken to Pontius Pilate (admittedly this is difficult to follow on the map above) (6), Pilate sent Jesus to the palace of Herod Antipas (location uncertain). Herod Antipas returned Jesus to Pilate (admittedly this is difficult to follow on the map above) (7), Pilate handed over Jesus for scourging (possibly at Fortress of Antonia but this is not depicted on the map) and then delivered over for crucifixion at Golgotha (note there are two possible locations - The "Traditional Golgotha" and "Gordon's Calvary") Related Resources: Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus - Nice depiction of Gordon's Calvary (Golgotha) which was outside of the holy city when and where Jesus was crucified. See also Detailed Discussion of 3 Religious Trials Luke 23:1 Then the whole body of them got up and brought Him before Pilate. KJV Luke 23:1 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. Lk 23:66; Mt 27:1,2,11-14; Mark 15:1-5; John 18:28-38 Luke 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Roman Law and the Trial of Christ - R Larry Overstreet - excellent background See Trial & Crucifixion of Jesus - Parallel Passages - to arrange the events chronologically and bring out details unique to each Gospel Comparing all 4 gospels we discover Jesus endured 6 hearings or "trials" (used only loosely for these were hardly fair trials!) in a matter of hours, the first three were Religious Trials before the Jewish authorities and the last three were Civil Trials before the Roman political authorities, Pilate and Herod Antipas (Mt 26-27; Mark 14-15; Luke 22-23; John 18-19). (The following chart is adapted and modified from Constable's Expository Notes) THE SIX MOCK TRIALS OF THE MESSIAH JESUS' THREE RELIGIOUS TRIALS See also Detailed Discussion of 3 Religious Trials MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN Before Annas (Nighttime ~1-3 AM) Jn 18:12-14,19-24 Before Caiaphas (Nighttime - ~1-3 AM) Mt 26:57-68 Mk 14:53-65 Lk 22:54, 63-65 Before Sanhedrin (Daybreak ~5 AM) Mt 27:1 Mk 15:1 Lk 22:66-71 JESUS' THREE CIVIL TRIALS Before Pilate Mt 27:2, 11-14 Mk 15:1-5 Lk 23:1-5 Jn 18:28-38 Before Herod Antipas Before Pilate Mt 27:15-26 Mk 15:6-15 Lk 23:13-25 Jn 18:39-19:16 SUMMARY OF PILATE'S MOVEMENTS IN JESUS' TRIAL One aspect of Jesus' trial before Pilate that can be confusing is that Pilate moved in and out of the Praetorium in various phases of the trial.. Here is a summary of Pilate's movements into the Praetorium (where Jesus was) and out of the Praetorium (where the Jewish accusers stood). You will notice that Pilate's movement are keyed to John's account, as John reports far more details of this trial before Pilate than do the three Synoptists combined. 1. Jesus led INSIDE the Praetorium or judgment hall (John 18:28). While all four Gospels record that Jesus is delivered to Pilate, only John includes the detail that Jesus is taken INSIDE the Praetorium while His accusers remained outside. This fact sets up multiple movements by Pilate as he addressed the two parties involved in the trial. D A Carson comments that the failure of the Jews to enter the Praetorium "sent Pilate scuttling back and forth, acting on two stages as it were, a front stage and a rear stage. This simultaneously enhances the drama of the narrative, ensures that the Jews do not hear Jesus’ self-disclosing claims before Pilate, and ‘portrays the human predicament in which one must choose between Jesus and the world’. (Pillar Commentary - John) 2. Movement 1: Pilate comes OUTSIDE of the Praetorium to Jesus' accusers to hear their charges. This begins the formal trial. (John 18:29-32). John records their more general charges against Jesus and tells them to take Jesus and judge Him themselves. This forces them to concoct three specific charges recorded only in Lk 23:2. 3. Movement 2: Pilate goes back INSIDE the Praetorium to Jesus to hear His defense (John 18:33-38). All four Gospels record that Pilate focuses on the third charge that Jesus is a King and asks Him "Are You the King of the Jews?" (Mt 27:11, Mk 15:2, Lk 23:3, Jn 18:33). Only John 18:34-38 records the details of this phase of Pilate's interrogation of Jesus. 4. Movement 3: Pilate goes back OUTSIDE to the people to declare Jesus' innocence (John 18:38). Only John 18:38 and Luke 23:5 record Pilate's FIRST of 3 not guilty verdicts (Jn 19:4, 6, cf Lk 23:22). Pilate's not guilty verdict incites the Jews to a barrage of accusations at Jesus. Only Mt 27:12-14 and Mk 15:3-5 record Jesus' refusal to answer the accusations by the chief priests and elders against Jesus. Only Luke 23:5 records the Jew's accusation that Jesus stirred up the people in Galilee, which prompts Pilate to send Jesus to the wicked ruler Herod (Antipas) who had jurisdiction over Galilee and was in Jerusalem at the time. Only Luke 23:6-12 records the transfer of Jesus from Pilate to Herod and the mistreatment Jesus received in the second phase of the civil trial. Only Luke 23:11 records that Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate. Only Luke 23:13 records that "Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people." Apparently the gathering before the Praetorium had either broken up or decreased in size while Jesus was before Herod. And it is clear that the religious leaders followed Jesus and spoke out again when He appeared before Herod (Lk 23:10). Note that since Pilate summoned the religious leaders and began to sp Only Luke 23:14-15 record Pilate's statement before the Jews (who had been summoned) that he found no guilt in Jesus nor did Herod. Only Luke 23:16 records Pilate's conclusion "Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” The Gospels do not record the reaction of the Jews to this announcement, but Pilate's subsequent mention of the custom of releasing a prisoner implies that their reaction prevented him from following through and forced him to try another ploy. John 18:39 records Pilate's attempt to release Jesus “But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?” The interchange regarding Barabbas is recorded in John 18:39-40, Matthew 27:15-18, 20-21, and Mk 15:6-11. 5. Movement 4: Pilate goes back INSIDE the Praetorium to scourge Jesus (John 19:1-3). 6. Movement 5: Pilate goes back OUTSIDE to the Jews to offer a compromise (John 19:4-7). 7. Movement 6:Pilate goes back INSIDE to Jesus to investigate the possibility of a supernatural being (John 19:8-11). 8. Movement 7: Pilate goes back OUTSIDE to the Jews to release Jesus (John 19:12). 9. Movement 8: Pilate brings Jesus OUTSIDE, sits on the Judgment Seat and gives his verdict of crucifixion (John 19:13-15). Parallel Passages - The following table is an attempt to line up parallel passages from the 4 Gospel accounts on the same row and to identify the passages found only in one Gospel with yellow highlighting. In some cases it is difficult to state with certainty which passage in a particular Gospel comes next in time sequence. If you see a passage you do not think fits in the sequence please send an email with your explanation. Here is another good parallel by Wil Pounds in which he correlates events and approximate times. See also a related but more complete chart all on one page - Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus - Parallel Passages MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN THE THIRD RELIGIOUS TRIAL OF JESUS BEFORE SANHEDRIN Approximate Time: 6:00 AM Mt 27:1 Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death; Mk 15:1 Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole Council, immediately held a consultation. Lk 22:66 When it was day, the Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their council chamber, saying. JOHN'S GOSPEL DOES NOT DISCUSS THE SECOND AND THIRD PHASES OF THE RELIGIOUS TRIAL OF JESUS. Lk 22:67 “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe; 68 and if I ask a question, you will not answer. 69 “But from now on THE SON OF MAN WILL BE SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND of the power OF GOD.” 70 And they all said, “Are You the Son of God, then?” And He said to them, “Yes, I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.” THE JEWS DELIVER JESUS TO PILATE (Approximate Time 6:30 AM) Mt 27:2 and they bound Him, and led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate the governor. (N1) Mk 15:1b and binding Jesus, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate. Lk 23:1 Then the whole body of them got up and brought Him before Pilate Jn 18:28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas INTO the Praetorium, Jn 18:28b and it was early; and they themselves DID NOT ENTER into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. COMMENTS ON MATTHEW Note 1 on "delivered Him to Pilate" - Delivered is paradidomi which means to give one over to the power or authority of another. This was a clear fulfillment of prophecies by Jesus Himself Who had predicted "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day...Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered (paradidomi) into the hands of men." (Lk 9:22, 44+, Lk 18:32+) COMMENTS ON MARK MacArthur's comments on Mark help establish the timing of the events of the three phases of the religious trial on Friday morning - Having taken Jesus prisoner about 1:00 a.m. on Friday morning, the Jewish religious heads brought Him to the house of the high priest where He was first questioned by Annas (Described only in John 18:19-24)(ED: RELIGIOUS TRIAL #1) and then tried before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin (Mark 14:55-65)(ED: RELIGIOUS TRIAL #2). When the council (SANHEDRIN) failed to produce consistent testimony against Jesus, they resorted to accusations of blasphemy and subsequently condemned Him to death. The trial before Caiaphas likely ended about 3:00 a.m., at the time when Peter’s denials also ended (cf. Mk 14:66-72, Lk 22:56-62). For the next couple hours, Jesus would have been held prisoner by the Temple police, who continued to mock and mistreat Him (cf. Mk 14:65). At daybreak, near 5:00 a.m., the Sanhedrin reconvened (ED: RELIGIOUS TRIAL #3). (See context in Mark 9-16 MacArthur New Testament Commentary and Next page) COMMENTS ON JOHN Recall that the Gospel of John is the only Gospel to describe the first religious trial of Jesus before Annas (Jn 18:12-14,19-23). After Annas interrogated Jesus he "sent Him bound to Caiphas the high priest" (Jn 18:24) which would lead to the second and third religious trials, neither of which are described by John. John has just described Peter's denial in John 18:25-27. John does not describe Jesus' trial before Caiaphas nor before the Sanhedrin but only mentions that Annas had Jesus bound and taken to Caiaphas the high priest .(Jn 18:24) For the details of Jesus' first nighttime trial before Caiaphas see Mt 26:57-68, Mk 14:53-65 and Lk 22:54, 63-65+. While all 3 Synoptic Gospels mention Jesus' third religious trial before the Sanhedrin in the morning (Mt 27:1, Mk 15:1, Lk 22:66), only Luke gives us the details of the third trial (Lk 22:67-71+). John 18:28: On Passover the Jewish leaders had ceremonially cleansed themselves in preparation for the meal they would eat that Friday evening. We have explained how Jesus and His disciples could eat the Passover meal on Thursday evening and these leaders could eat the Passover meal on Friday (See explanation in notes on Luke 22:7). Since the Mishnah declared all Gentile homes unclean, the Jews would not enter Pilate's residence, but they could enter the courtyard and not be defiled. What hypocrites! They fastidiously avoided any external ceremonial defilement, but cared nothing about internal defilement in their own hearts! Notice that Jesus went into the Praetorium of Pilate but the Jews remain outside. As D A Carson says "The Jews take elaborate precautions to avoid ritual contamination in order to eat the Passover, at the very same time they are busy manipulating the judicial system to secure the death of him who alone is the true Passover." (The Gospel According to John - Pillar). The Praetorium (Pix 1, Pix 2) describes the headquarters of the commanding officer of a Roman military camp or a Roman military governor's headquarters (in this case Pilate) and is derived from "Praetor (Latin, "leader") was originally the title of the highest-ranking civil servant in the Roman Republic, but later became a position directly below the rank of consul." (Wikipedia) The Praetorium was formerly the headquarters or barracks of a Roman camp; however, in the provinces as well as in Rome, praetorium came to be used in reference to the governor’s or emperor’s official residences. The Romans accommodated themselves with such buildings by seizing and appropriating the palaces of conquered royalty of the local area. The Praetorium was also the location of PIlate's judgment seat (Mt 27:19, Jn 19:13) Notice that John records Jesus appearing before Pilate early, which is most likely around 6-7 AM (DAYBREAK WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT 5 AM, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN WHEN THE SANHEDRIN CONVENED THEIR OSTENSIBLY "LEGAL" TRIAL OF JESUS. AFTER THEIR SPEEDY VERDICT JESUS WAS TAKEN TO PILATE.). Roman officials would normally begin their work at day break so that they could be finished by 10-11 AM. On this fateful day Pilate would accomplish his "business" before 9 AM so that there would time for Jesus to die on the Cross (Ref). THE DEATH OF JUDAS The episode describing what happened to Judas is recorded only by Matthew. Mt 27:3 Then (THIS TIME PHRASE MARKS SEQUENCE - so the following transpires sometime in the early morning. Although not clearly stated in Scripture, it appears that after his betrayal of Jesus, Judas followed Jesus to three mock trials before Annas and Caiaphas including the third mock religious trial at daybreak.) when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse (metamellomai - SORROW BUT NOT A GODLY SORROW LEADING TO REPENTANCE - 2 Cor 7:10, 11+) and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” (THE TORMENT OF A GUILTY CONSCIENCE - THEY CLEARLY COULD NOT USE JUDAS AS A WITNESS!) But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” 5 And he threw the pieces of silver into the Temple sanctuary (naos = THE HOLY PLACE WHERE ONLY PRIESTS COULD ENTER! THUS JUDAS FORCED THE PRIESTS TO TAKE BACK THEIR "BLOOD MONEY!") and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. (SEE RELATED NOTES ON HOW JUDAS DIED IN Acts 1:16-20+) 6 The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.” 7 And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. 8 For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “AND THEY TOOK THE THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, THE PRICE OF THE ONE WHOSE PRICE HAD BEEN SET by the sons of Israel; 10 AND THEY GAVE THEM FOR THE POTTER’S FIELD, AS THE LORD DIRECTED ME.” MacArthur on remorse versus repentance - True biblical repentance is not psychological, emotional human remorse, seeking merely to relieve stress and improve one’s circumstances. Though it inevitably produces the fruit of a changed life (cf. Matt. 3:8; Luke 3:8; Acts 26:20), it is not behavioral, but spiritual. The sorrow of the world—remorse, wounded pride, self-pity, unfulfilled hopes—has no healing power, no transforming, saving, or redeeming capability. It produces guilt, shame, resentment, anguish, despair, depression, hopelessness, even, as in the case of Judas (Matt. 27:3-5), death. (See context in 2 Corinthians MacArthur New Testament Commentary) See also 2 Cor 7:10, 11+ Related Resources on Judas: John MacArthur's sermon on Luke 23:1-3 John MacArthur's sermon on Mt 27:1-10 The Traitor's Suicide Who was Judas Iscariot? Why did Judas betray Jesus? How did Judas die? Was Judas Iscariot forgiven / saved? What is the significance of Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss? Who is the son of perdition? THE FIRST CIVIL TRIAL BEFORE PILATE Note on the sequence of events - The third phrase of the religious trial is an early morning formal trial before a quickly assembled Sanhedrin to secure the verdict of the full Sanhedrin and to formulate the charge against Jesus. This "legal" gathering is completed early in the morning, probably before 6 AM because daybreak was about 5 AM. The Gospel of John does not describe this third phase of the religious trials. Matthew and Mark give a summary description (Mt 27:1, Mk 15:1) but only Luke 22:67-71 gives details of the interchange between Jesus and the Sanhedrin (see yellow highlight in chart above). This brings us to Luke's description in Lk 23:1 which parallels the descriptions in Mt 27:2, Mk 15:1, and Jn 18:28. John 18:28 alone tells us that Jesus entered the Praetorium minus the "religious" Jews. Then - This expression of time marks the move of Jesus' trial from the Jewish phase to the Roman phase. This picks up the succession of events from Lk 22:70-71 where the Sanhedrin heard what they interpreted as blasphemy which by their laws warranted death by stoning. The problem of course was that they Romans prohibited any but their government from carrying out the death penalty. Note from the preceding chart of the 6 "trials" of Jesus, the one before the Sanhedrin is the only one that took place in the day, providing some semblance of legality. Of course, it was still grossly unjust, for the Sanhedrin had arrived at their "verdict" at night in the second phrase before Caiaphas. This daytime trial was a total "sham." Recall that the events in Luke 23-24 were predicted by Jesus who had declared “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.” (Matthew 20:18-19, cf Jn 12:32) John also alludes to the mode of Jesus' death by crucifixion recording His prophecy “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth (I.E., CRUCIFIXION), will draw all men to Myself.” (Jn 12:32) The whole body of them got up - This phrase suggest they acted in unanimity. In other words the Jewish Sanhedrin arose from their seats in their official Hall of Hewn Stones (PICTURE) and brought Jesus before Pilate. The same word "body" (plethos) is assembly in Acts 23:7+ which definitely refers to the Sanhedrin in context (see Acts 23:1+) We do know from Luke 23:50-51 that Joseph of Arimathea was a member of the Sanhedrin but "had not consented to their plan and action." Mt 27:57 tells us that Joseph "had also become a disciple of Jesus." John adds that while he was a disciple of Jesus, he was "a secret one for fear of the Jews." Was he absent when the Sanhedrin condemned Jesus? We cannot state with certainty. A T Robertson however suggests that the whole body is "All but Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea who were probably not invited to this meeting." (Ed: This is speculation.) The verb "got up" is anistemi, which is the same verb used to describe resurrection from the dead. In this passage the Sanhedrin got up but were still dead (in their trespasses and sins - Eph 2:1+), while the Savior would rise from the dead (predicted in Mk 8:31+, Mk 9:9+) that all dead men might live eternally through Him (1 Jn 4:9+, cf 1 Pe 1:3+) and in Him (1 Jn 5:11+, cf "life in His Name" = Jn 20:31). And brought Him before Pilate - This first "trial" before Pilate in the early morning hours was INSIDE Pilate's residence, for John 18:28 tells us "Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas INTO the Praetorium, and it was early; and they (JEWS) themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover." Keep in mind that Pilate "and his predecessors and successors made it a point to be in Jerusalem on the high feasts, to be available to quell any untoward disturbance." (Carson, Pillar Commentary) Commenting on the irony Carson adds "The Jews take elaborate precautions to avoid ritual contamination in order to eat the Passover, at the very time they are busy manipulating the judicial system to secure the death of him who alone is the true Passover." Pilate's normal residence was in Caesarea Maritima (aerial photo, pix), (this was the palace Herod the Great had built for himself) but he came to Jerusalem during the Jewish feasts to keep an eye on the Jews because Jerusalem was flooded with pilgrims (some say up to 2 million). Wikipedia says that Caesarea Maritima "is the location of the 1961 discovery of the Pilate Stone (pix), the only archaeological item that mentions the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate, by whose order Jesus was crucified. It is likely that Pilate used it as a base, and only went to Jerusalem when needed." KJV Study Bible has an interesting note - Since Jesus was crucified along with two criminals (Lk 23:32-33), a punishment that only the Romans could render, it seems that a couple of executions were already scheduled even before Jesus' sentencing. Thus Pilate came to town planning to execute genuine criminals, but he left town having executed an innocent man. (See context in KJV Study Bible) (Bolding added) Pilate (governor of Judea AD 26 to AD 36)(4091)(Pilatos - of Latin origin) "Roman governor of Judea remembered in history as a notorious anti-Semite and in Christian creeds as the magistrate under whom Jesus Christ “suffered” (1 Tim 6:13). The NT refers to him as “governor,” while other sources call him “procurator” or “prefect” (an inscription found in Caesarea in 1961). Pilate came to power about A.D. 26, close to the time when two of his contemporaries, Sejanus in Rome and Flaccus in Egypt, were pursuing policies apparently aimed at the destruction of the Jewish people." (Holman Dictionary) Pilate was hated by the orthodox Jews and never really understood them (see 4 interactions that made him odious to the Jews). As shown in Luke 23 Pilate's handling of the trial of Jesus would show him to be indecisive and vacillating, characterized by lack of decision and firmness. As we might say today Pilate had no "backbone" or "intestinal fortitude!" Warren