Luke 23

Christ the King / King of the Jews

Christ — the Anointed One; anointed kings of Israel prefigured Him

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. Luke 23:2–3

The accusers twist His claim to be the Christ into a political charge, yet Jesus affirms He is the King. He is the true King of Israel, though His kingdom is not of this world.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in John 18:33-37 — Pilate's questioning about His kingship.
• the same title in Zechariah 9:9 — 'Thy King cometh unto thee.'

Lamb without blemish

Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. Luke 23:4

Pilate declares Jesus faultless, and Luke repeats this verdict (verses 14, 22, 41, 47). Like the Passover lamb that had to be without blemish, the Savior offered for us was sinless.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• typified by Exodus 12:5 — The Passover lamb shall be without blemish.
• interpreted by 1 Peter 1:19 — The precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Silent Lamb

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. Luke 23:8–9

Herod wants a show of miracles, but Jesus says nothing. Isaiah foretold that the Messiah, like a lamb before its shearers, would not open His mouth.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils Isaiah 53:7 — 'As a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.'
• fulfils Mosiah 14:7 — Abinadi's quotation of the same prophecy.

Despised and Rejected

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. Luke 23:11

The King of kings is mocked with a fake royal robe and treated as nothing. Nephi was shown that the world would judge Him to be a thing of naught.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils 1 Nephi 19:9 — 'The world... shall judge him to be a thing of naught.'
• fulfils Isaiah 53:3 — 'He is despised and rejected of men.'

Lamb without blemish

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: Luke 23:14–15

Both Roman and Jewish rulers examine Jesus and find nothing worthy of death. His innocence makes His death a sacrifice for others, not a punishment for Himself.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• typified by Exodus 12:5 — The lamb examined and found without blemish.

The Innocent for the Guilty

And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: Luke 23:18–25

A guilty murderer goes free while the sinless Jesus is condemned in his place. The exchange pictures the Atonement: the innocent Savior takes the punishment so the guilty can be released.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Isaiah 53:5 — 'He was wounded for our transgressions... with his stripes we are healed.'

Crucifixion

But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Luke 23:21–23

The crowd demands the very death Jesus and the prophets had foretold. Nephi had seen that He would be lifted up upon the cross.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils 1 Nephi 11:33 — 'He was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world.'
• fulfils Luke 18:32-33 — Jesus foretold He would be delivered to the Gentiles and put to death.

Bearing the Cross after Jesus

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. Luke 23:26

Simon carries the cross behind Jesus, a living picture of discipleship. Jesus had taught that His followers must bear their cross and come after Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Luke 14:27 — 'Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.'

Jesus the Prophet on the way to the cross

Jesus — 'Jehovah saves'

But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. Luke 23:28–31

Carrying His suffering, Jesus still thinks of others and prophesies Jerusalem's coming destruction. He is the living 'green tree'; if they do this to Him, the judgment on the dry, unrepentant nation will be far worse.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Hosea 10:8 — 'They shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.'
• alludes to Ezekiel 20:47 — Fire devouring 'every green tree in thee, and every dry tree.'

Crucifixion

And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. Luke 23:32–33

Jesus is crucified at Calvary between two criminals, exactly as He had applied Isaiah 53:12 to Himself the night before. He is lifted up as the brazen serpent foreshadowed.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 53:12 — 'He was numbered with the transgressors.'
• fulfils Luke 22:37 — Jesus' own prophecy the night before.
• fulfils John 3:14 — The Son of man must be lifted up.
• a parallel account in Mark 15:27-28 — Crucified with two thieves.

Intercession from the Cross

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Luke 23:34

While being nailed to the cross, Jesus prays for the ones hurting Him. Isaiah foretold that the servant would make intercession for the transgressors.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 53:12 — 'And made intercession for the transgressors.'

Garments Divided

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Luke 23:34

The soldiers gamble for His clothing, fulfilling a detail in the psalm of the suffering Messiah.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Psalm 22:18 — 'They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.'
• the same event in John 19:23-24 — John names the psalm as fulfilled.

Christ, the Chosen of God

Christ — the Anointed One; 'the chosen of God' — the Elect One chosen by the Father

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. Luke 23:35

The rulers mock Him with true titles: He is the Christ, chosen by the Father from the beginning. He saves others precisely by not saving Himself.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Psalm 22:7-8 — 'All they that see me laugh me to scorn... let him deliver him.'
• the same title in Moses 4:2 — 'My Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning.'
• the same title in Isaiah 42:1 — 'Mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth.'

Vinegar Offered

And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, Luke 23:36

The soldiers offer Him sour wine in mockery, a detail foretold in a Messianic psalm.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Psalm 69:21 — 'In my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.'

King of the Jews

And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. Luke 23:37–38

Meant as mockery, the sign over the cross announces the truth in three languages for all the world: Jesus is the King.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in John 19:19-20 — The same title written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. Luke 23:39

Even a dying criminal uses the title Christ in scorn. The irony is that Jesus is saving him and all mankind by staying on the cross.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

Faith in Christ — the penitent thief

But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? Luke 23:40–42

The second thief confesses his own guilt, testifies of Jesus' innocence, calls Him Lord, and believes He will reign. It is a small, powerful picture of faith and repentance at the cross.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

Christ in the Spirit World

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23:43

Jesus promises the thief he will be with Him that day in the spirit world. Latter-day revelation shows that between His death and Resurrection the Savior went to the spirits of the dead and organized the preaching of the gospel there.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfilled by D&C 138:18-19 — The Son of God appears among the spirits of the dead, declaring liberty to the captives.
• fulfilled by 1 Peter 3:18-19 — Christ went and preached unto the spirits in prison.

Darkness at His Death

And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Luke 23:44–45

Creation itself mourns as its Creator dies. Book of Mormon prophets foretold signs of darkness at His death, and the Nephites experienced three days of darkness.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Helaman 14:20 — Samuel: at His death the sun shall be darkened.
• fulfils 1 Nephi 19:10 — Zenos: three days of darkness a sign of His death.
• the same event in 3 Nephi 8:20-23 — Darkness over the land of the Nephites at His crucifixion.

The Rent Veil

And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. Luke 23:45

The temple veil that shut people out of the Holy of Holies tears when Jesus dies. His torn flesh opens the way for all to return to God's presence.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interpreted by Hebrews 10:19-20 — A new and living way 'through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.'
• the same event in Matthew 27:51 — The veil rent from the top to the bottom.

Death of Christ

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. Luke 23:46

Jesus' last words are a psalm of trust, and He gives up His own spirit. No one took His life; He laid it down willingly.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Psalm 31:5 — 'Into thine hand I commit my spirit.'
• fulfils John 10:17-18 — 'I lay down my life... No man taketh it from me.'
• alluded to by 2 Nephi 2:8 — The Holy Messiah lays down His life according to the flesh and takes it again.

The Righteous One

Righteous / Just — the sinless one

Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. Luke 23:47

A Roman officer who watched Him die glorifies God and testifies that Jesus was righteous. Isaiah called the Messiah God's righteous servant.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Isaiah 53:11 — 'My righteous servant.'
• the same title in Acts 3:14 — 'The Holy One and the Just.'
• the same event in Matthew 27:54 — The centurion: 'Truly this was the Son of God.'

Burial of Christ

And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: Luke 23:50–55

Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy counsellor who waited for God's kingdom, lays Jesus in a new tomb. Isaiah foretold the Messiah would be with the rich in His death; the burial also sets up the witness of the empty tomb.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 53:9 — 'He made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death.'
• fulfils 2 Nephi 25:13 — He shall be laid in a sepulchre for three days and then rise.