luke 23

Read Luke 23 at Bible Gateway.

Luk 23 outline:

Luk 23:1-5, Jesus before Pilate, Pilate’s first verdict of innocence
Luk 23:6-12, Jesus before Herod, Herod returns Him to Pilate (his verdict of innocence)
Luk 23:13-17, Jesus before Pilate, Pilate’s second verdict of innocence
Luk 23:18-25, The chief priests + mob demand His crucifixion/ Pilate’s third verdict of innocence, but their will prevailed
Luk 23:26-43, Jesus crucified with two thieves/ the testimony of one of them of His innocence
Luk 23:44-46, Jesus’ death on the cross/ the sun dark, the veil of the temple torn in two
Luk 23:47, The testimony of the centurion who crucified Him: Certainly this was a righteous Man!
Luk 23:48-49, The mob + His acquaintances, women who followed Him from Galilee observed His execution
Luk 23:50-53, Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus and laid it in a new tomb
Luk 23:54-56, The women observed where His body lay, prepared spices + rested on the Sabbath re: the commandment

Luk 23:2-25 chiastic structure:

1a) Luk 23:2-5, The chief priests accused Jesus before Pilate, but Pilate found no fault in Him;

1a) Luk 23:2, The chief priests accused Jesus before Pilate of perverting the nation + claiming kingship;
1b) Luk 23:3a, Pilate questioned Jesus, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
central axis) Luk 23:3b, He answered him and said, “It is as you say;”
2b) Luk 23:4, Pilate answered the chief priests + crowd, “I find no fault in this Man;”
2a) Luk 23:5, But they were the more fierce: He stirs up the people from Galilee to this place;

1b) Luk 23:6-12, Pilate sent Jesus to Herod/ Herod, after mocking Him, sent Him back to Pilate;

1a) Luk 23:6-7, When Pilate discovered He was Galilean, he sent Him to Herod;
1b) Luk 23:8, Herod was exceedingly glad for he desired to see a miracle done by Him;
1c) Luk 23:9a, Herod questioned Him with many words;
central axis) Luk 23:9b, But He answered him nothing;
2c) Luk 23:10, The chief priests + scribes stood and vehemently accused Him;
2b) Luk 23:11a, Herod + his men of war treated Him with contempt + mocked Him;
2a) Luk 23:11b-12, Herod sent Him back to Pilate/ from that day they were friends;

central axis) Luk 23:13-14, Pilate’s judgment upon examination: I have found no fault in this Man;

2b) Luk 23:15-17, Neither did Herod/ nothing deserving death has been done by Him, therefore I will scourge + release Him;

2a) Luk 23:18-25, Pilate wished to release Jesus, but the chief priests demanded His crucifixion/ Jesus delivered to their will;

1a) Luk 23:18a. And they all cried out at once, saying, Away with this Man;
1b) Luk 23:18b-19, Release Barabbas (who had been thrown into prison for rebellion + murder);
1c) Luk 23:20-21, Pilate, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them, but they shouted: “Crucify Him!”
2c) Luk 23:22-24, Pilate said a third time, “I have found no reason for death in Him;” but they insisted with loud voices that He be crucified/ their voices prevailed;
2b) Luk 23:25a, Pilate released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion + murder had been thrown into prison;
2a) Luk 23:25b, But he delivered Jesus to their will.

It turns out the above structure forms the central axis of an even larger structure:

Luk 22:1-23:54 chiastic structure:

1a) Luk 22:1-6, Judas went to the chief priests and elders to betray Him;

1b) Luk 22:7-13, His disciples prepare the Passover;

1c) Luk 22:14-38, Jesus celebrates the Passover with His disciples;

1d) Luk 22:39-46, Jesus suffers in the garden in agony of soul, shedding His blood;

1e) Luk 22:47-62, Judas betrays Jesus + Peter denies Jesus;

1f) Luk 22:63-71, The men who held Jesus mocked Him + the council: “If You are the Christ, tell us;”

1g) Luk 23:1, The whole multitude of the elders, chief priests, and scribes arose and led Him to Pilate;

central axis) Luk 23:2-25, The trial of Jesus before Pilate;

2g) Luk 23:26-34, The multitude of the people followed Him as they led Him to be crucified;

2f) Luk 23:35-39, The rulers, soldiers, and first thief mocked Jesus + “If You are the Christ, save Yourself;”

2e) Luk 23: 40-43, The second thief defends Jesus;

2d) Luk 23:44, Jesus suffers on the cross in agony of body, shedding His blood, from the sixth to the ninth hour;

2c) Luk 23:45-47, Jesus becomes the Passover Lamb of God at His death on the cross;

2b) Luk 23:48-56, The women who followed Him from Galilee prepare spices and fragrant oils;

2a) Luk 23:50-54, Joseph of Arimethea went to Pilate to receive His body and bury Him.

Now why would Jesus’ trial before Pilate be the central axis of the whole account of His trial and crucifixion? It is because of Pilate’s official verdict, rendered three times and confirmed upon close examination, of Jesus’ innocence. The acceptable Passover lamb, whose blood covered the doorposts of the house so that the angel of Death passed over that house, was to be without spot or blemish. From the tenth day (Palm Sunday) to the fourteenth day (Passover) Jesus was questioned and tested by the chief priests and elders, and no fault was found in Him; and now the Roman governor bore the second witness of His innocence.