Luke 23

And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.

And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.

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

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

When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.

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.

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.

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

And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.

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.

And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:

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

I will therefore chastise him, and release him.

(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)

And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:

(Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)

Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.

But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

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.

And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.

And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.

And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

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.

And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.

But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

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

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

And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

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

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.

And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

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

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

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

And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

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

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

And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

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.

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

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

And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counseller; and he was a good man, and a just:

(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.

This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.

And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.

And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

What does Luke 23:47 mean?

Explanation

The verse Luke 23:47 captures a moment of profound realization from a Roman centurion (a commander of a hundred soldiers) immediately after Jesus Christ's death on the cross.

Observing the events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion, including the darkness that fell over the land and the earthquake that shook the ground, the centurion affirms Jesus' innocence and righteousness.

The phrase "glorified God" indicates that the centurion is acknowledging the divine power and truth in the events he witnessed, leading him to a conclusion that differs from the official position of the Roman authorities, who executed Jesus as a criminal.

This suggests a recognition of a miscarriage of justice and possibly a spiritual awakening or recognition of Jesus' divine nature.

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Historical Context

The Gospel of Luke, written by the same name's author, is believed by scholars to have been composed around AD 80-110.

At this time, the Christian faith was spreading in a predominantly Greco-Roman world that was largely polytheistic and had varying views on justice and divinity.

Roman centurions, as respected military officers, were generally from the Roman elite and were not typically sympathetic to the Jewish population or their religious figures.

Crucifixion was a mode of execution reserved for slaves and the most despised criminals.

The centurion's declaration is remarkable because it goes against the socio-political norms and beliefs of his Roman peers.

Theological Insights

This verse is critical for several theological reasons.

Firstly, it shows the impartiality of God's revelation; the truth about Jesus' identity as the Righteous One is revealed even to a Roman centurion.

Secondly, the centurion's declaration has been seen as an affirmation of Jesus' innocence, which is an essential component of the Christian understanding of the atonement; Jesus was the sinless sacrifice for humanity's sins.

Thirdly, this event symbolizes the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews), offering a foretaste of the Gospel's expansion beyond Jewish boundaries, as Jesus' message was to be brought to all nations.

Practical Applications

The passage can provide several practical applications to a believer's life.

It encourages individuals to be open to divine truth, even when that truth is counter to societal norms or personal biases.

It serves as a reminder to practice discernment and seek justice.

The centurion's conversion also serves as an inspiration that change of heart and recognition of divine truth can occur in the most unexpected people and situations.

It encourages believers to witness their own convictions with integrity and boldness.

Cross-References

Here are some related verses:

Matthew 27:54: "Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God."
Acts 10:1-2: "There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway."
Mark 15:39: "And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God."

Language Study

The key word in this verse is "righteous" (Greek: δίκαιος - dikaios), which in the New Testament context refers to one who is just, virtuous, and innocent in God’s eyes.

The term "glorified" (Greek: ἐδόξαζεν - edoxasen) conveys giving honor, praising or celebrating, and is used here to indicate that the centurion is attributing the events and the person of Jesus directly to the glory of God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

It's worth comparing this moment with similar themes of revelation of the divine in other ancient myths and religions.

For instance, in many ancient epics, gods would reveal themselves to mortals in moments of great significance, changing the mortals' perceptions and destinies.

In Greek mythology, epiphanies of gods often led to transformations in the story or in the characters' lives.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science does not typically intersect with theological insights or scriptural interpretations in a direct way, as scientific methods focus on empirical evidence rather than supernatural occurrences.

However, from a psychological standpoint, this verse could reflect a sudden cognitive shift in the centurion, which some might analyze in terms of cognitive dissonance resolution or transformative experiences as influenced by extraordinary events.

Commentaries

Various biblical commentators have reflected on this verse.

For example, Matthew Henry's commentary emphasizes the centurion's testimony as an acknowledgement of God's hand at work amidst unnatural darkness and an earthquake.

John Gill comments on the significance of a Roman officer, who likely would have been involved in many executions, making such a confession, indicating a divine revelation.

It is often observed by commentators that the centurion's statement represents a climactic moment of the crucifixion narrative, marking both a divine revelation and a Gentile recognition of Jesus' character and mission.

Luke 23

Luke 23

What does Luke 23:47 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 23:47 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?