Luke 23

Christ is brought to Pilate, accused before him, and by him declared guiltless, 7 who sendeth him to Herod, who despiseth him, and sendeth him back again, 13 Pilate endea voureth to realize him, but by the hard pressing of the Jewes, he loooseth Barabbass, and delivereth Christ over to be crucified, 26 Simone of Cyrene beareth the cross after him. 27 The women of Jerusalem bewail him, to whom he foretells the mystery, which should come to them and their children. 32 HE is crucified between two murderers, and prayeth for his Enemies, 35 is reviled and mocked on the cross. 38 The superscription of the Cross. 39 One of the Malefactors revileth him, and the other is converted and comforted by Christ. 44 Darkness, comes upon the Earth, the wall of the Temple rendeth, and Christ giveth up the Ghost. 47 The Captain acknowledgeth that he is righteous, as also the multitudes. 50 He is buried by Joseph of Artmathea. 54 The women see where he is laid, and buy spices to anoint him.

1. AND the whole multitude of them [That is, the whole council, Luke 22:66.] arose and led him unto Pilate: [namely the Governmour for the Romans, of whom see Mat.27.2.]

2. And they began to accuse him saying, we have that this (fellow) perverted the people, [Namely of the Jews] and forbiddeth to give tribute to the Ceaser, saying that he himselve is the Christ the King.

3. And Pilate asked him saying: art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, thou saist it. [That is, yea, I am. See Matthew 26:25. John. 18. ver. 37.]

4. And Pilate said unto the Chief Priests, and the multitudes, I find no fault [Gr. cause, namely, which should make him guilty of death] in this man.

5. And they urged the more strongly [Or hardened themselves against it] saying, he stirreth up people, teaching throughout Judea, having from Galilee even hitherto.

6. Now when Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether that man were a Galilean.

7. And understanding that he was of Herods jurisdiction, [He was surnamed Antipas, a son of Herod the great, a Tetrarch over Galilee, who had caused Johnthe Baptist to be beheaded. See concerning him, Luke 3:1, 19.] he sent him away to Herod, [namely to keep the feast of the Passover with his people.]

8. And when Herod saw Jesus he was very glad, for he had for a long time been desirous to see him, because he had heard much of him, and hoped to see some sign [That is, miracle : of meer desire of Novelty, which Christ would not cherish,] that should be done by him.

9. And he questioned him with many words: but he answered him nothing.

10. And the chief Priests and the Scribes [Namely which Pilate had sent with Christ unto Herod, ver 15.] stood and accused him vehemently.

11. And Herod with his shoulders [Gr. armies, that is those of his guard] having despised [Gr. set at nought] and mocked him, put him on a glistering garment [Or gorgeous, such kind of garments as Kings and Princes used to wear, Gen 41. v 42. Esther 8:15. which doth to scoffe at his Kingdome, as also the soulders did Mat.27.28. when they put him on a purple coat] and sent him back to Pilate.

12. And on the same day Pilate and Herod became friends with one another: for before they were at enmity against each other.

13. And when Pilate had called the chief Priests, and the Rulers, and the People, [Namely after that Herod had sent Christ again unto Pilate] he said unto them.

14. Yee have brought this man unto me, as one that maketh the people averse, and behold I have examined (him) [The Greek word sometimes signifies rightly to question or examined. See the like Acts 12:19.] in your presence, and have found no fault in this man, concerning that wherewith yee accuse him

15. Nor not yet Herod: for I sent you unto him, and lebell there is nothing done by him [Namely Christ, Others understand it of Herod: namely that he did nothing to Christ, whereby it might my appear that he judged him to be worthy of death] that is, scourged him as is expounded, John 19:1.] that is worthy of death.

16. I will therefore chastise him [That is scourge him as is expounded, John 19:1.] and release him.

17. And he must [Namely by a custome usual with the Jews. See Matthew 27:15. and Mark 15:6,8.] on the feast [namely of the passeover. See John 18:38.] release one unto them.

18. But all the multitude cryed out at once saying, away with this (man) [Gr. take away this (man) namely from the Earth, i.e. put him to death, as Acts 21:38. and 22.22.] and unto us Barabas.

19. Who for a certain uproar which was made in theCity, and (for) a murder, was cast into prison.

20. Pilate therefore called unto (them) again, willing to release Jesus.

21. But they cryed out against it, saying, crucifie, (him) crucifie him.

22. And he said unto them the third time, what evil therefore hath this (man) done? I have found no guilt of death in him, I will therefore chastise him [That is, scourge him as ver. 16.] and set him free.

23. But there were instant with great crying out [Gr. with great voices] requiring that he should be crucified, and the cries if them and of the chief Priests were more violent [that is, the longer, the stronger: prevailed more and more.

24. And Pilate judged [Or gave way to them] that their demanded should be done.

25. And he released to them him that for uproar and murder was cast into prison, whom they had required: but Jesus he delivered to their will. [Namely according to their will to be crucified by the soulders]

26. And as they led him away, they took one Simon of Cyrene coming from the field and laid the cross upon him, [Namely after that Christ had born the same for a while. See hereof the annotation on Matthew 27:32. and John 19:17.] that he should carry it after Jesus.

27. And a great multitude of people and of women followed him, which [Namely women] also wept, and lamented him. [Gr. smote on their breasts, i.e. shewed themselves heavily afflicted.]

28. And Jesus turning to them said, yee daughters of Jerusalem [That is, ye women which dwell in Jerusalem] weep not for me, [that is, not so much] but weep for your selves and for your children:

29. For there comes daies, in which it shall be said; [Gr. they shall say] blessed (are) barren [namely because they shall not see such troubles on their children] the wombs which have not born, and the breast which have not given suck.

30. Then shall they begin to say to the mountaines, [Namely out of great terrour and distress, as Hos.10.8. Revel. 6.16.] fall on us, and to the Hills, cover us.

31. For if they do this o the green wood [Gr. moist, i.e. to me whom am innocent and righteous] what shall be done to the dry? [that is, what them shall befall the ungodly and guilty (persons) see the like 1 Pet. 4.17,18.]

32. And there were also two others, being evil-doers led to put to death with him.

33. And when they came on the place called Scul-(place) [The cause of this name, See Matthew 27:33.] they crucified him there, and the Malefactors, the one at the right and the other at the left (side.)

34. And Jesus said, Father forgive it them, for they know not [That is, the greater part of them. For some of them knew it well, and sinned against the Holy Ghost Matthew 12:32.] what they do. [namely that they crucifie the true Messia, See Acts 3:17. 1 Cor. 2.8.] And part his garments they cast the lot.

35. And the people stood and beheld it: and the Rulers also with them, derided (him) saying, he delivered others, let him now deliver himself, if he be the Christ the chosen of God. [Namely, chosen of God to be the true Messias, 1 Pet. 1.20.]

36. And the soulders also coming to (him) mocked him, brought him vinegar; [Namely the second time, whereof see Matthew 27:34,48.]

37. And said, if thou art the King of the Jewes, deliver thy self.

38. And there was also a superscription [Namely of his accusation, Mark 15:26.] written over him, [that is, over his head fastened on the cross, John 19:19.] with Greeks and Latine and Hebrew Letters, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWES.

39. And one of the malefactors which were hanged, reviled him saying, if thou art the Christ deliver thy self and us.

40. But the other answering rebuked him saying, dost thou not fear God, whereas thou art in the same judgement.

41. And we truly justly: for we receive (punishment) worthy of that we have done; but this man hath done unfitting.

42. And he said unto Jesus, Lord remember me, when thou shalt be come into thy Kingdome. [Namely of thy glory]

43. And Jesus said unto him,; verily I say unto thee, today thou shalt be with me in Paradise. [That is, in heaven, 2 Corinthians 12:4]

44. And it was about the sixth hour, [See for the reckoning of these hours, Mark 15:25.] and there was darkness over all the Earth [or over all the Land] until the ninth hour.

45. And the sun was darkened [See hereof Matthew 27:45.] and the vail of the Temple rent (thorow0 the midst [See Matthew 27:51.]

46. And Jesus crying with a great voice said, father unto thy hands I commend [Or I will commend, i.e. give in keeping as a pawn that is instructed with any man, to deliver it again in due time] my spirit. [That is, my soul] And when he had said that, he gave up the Ghost.

47. Now when the Centurion saw what happened, he glorified God [Namely, publickly confessing that Christ was innocent and the Son of God, seeing God had given such clear signs of it, Matthew 27:54.] and said, truly this man was righteous.

48. And all the multitudes which were come together to behold this, seeing the things which were done, returned smiting upon their breasts. [Namely in token of sorrow and astonishment]

49. And all his acquaintance stood afar off, also the women had followed him from Galilee, and beheld this.

50. And behold a man called Joseph, being a Councelour, a good and righteous man,

51. (He had not consented into their counsel and dealing) of Arimathea, a City of the Jewes, and who also himself looked for [Or received, embraced] the Kingdome of God.

52. He went unto Pilate and desired the body of Jesus.

53. And when he had taken the same down, he wound it in a fine linnem-coth, and laid it in a grave hewn in a rock, wherein never yet any man was laid.

54. And it was the day of preparation [Gr. the day was the preparation, namely of the Sabbath, and likewise of the passeover of the Jewes, see Mark 15:42. John19.14.] and the Sabbath come on. [Gr. lighted on, i.e. began to break with the rising of the stars. For with the Jewes the day took his beginning from the setting of the sun, and was reckoned from the one evening to the other.]

55. And the women also, which came with him out of Galilee followed after, and beheld the grave and how his body was laid.

56. And being returned thy prepared spices and ointments, and they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment. [Namely, according to the fourth commandments, Exodus 20:10.]