What I Noticed Today (Luke 23; John 18-19)
Luke 23
In verses 1-7, (See also Matthew 27:1-2 & 11-14, and Mark 15:1-5), the Sanhedrin rose up and took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. They levied three charges against Him: 1) subverting the nation, 2) refusing to pay taxes to Caesar, and 3) claiming to be Messiah, a king. Pilate asked Jesus if His claim to be King of the Jews was true, and Jesus said, you have said so. Pilate told the chief priests and elders he found no grounds to charge Jesus. But because they kept insisting, Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, the tetrarch of Galilee.
Note: The charges the Sanhedrin brought against Jesus were all fabrications or outright lies. Jesus had not spoken to subvert Israel. He had not objected to payment of taxes. Jesus had admitted to being the Messiah, but He had never suggested that He was the king of Israel.
In verses 8-12, Herod was glad to see Jesus because he had heard of Jesus and wanted to see Him do some kind of miracle. Herod asked Jesus questions, but Jesus refused to answer, so Herod mocked Jesus, dressed Him in a robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.
Note: The brilliant robe that Herod dressed Jesus in was meant to humiliate Him because of the Sanhedrin’s charge that Jesus claimed to be the king of the Jews.
Note: Herod and Pilate had not gotten along well prior to this incident, but the charges against Jesus seem to have brought them together, both having the opinion that no charges should be brought against Jesus.
In verses 13-25, (See also Matthew 27:15-26, and Mark 15:6-15), Pilate called the chief priests and leaders together and said neither he nor Herod had found any grounds to charge Him. Certainly, He has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, Pilate said he would have Jesus whipped and released.
The chief priests and elders cried out, demanding Jesus be held, and Barabbas released.
Note: The elders, members of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish high court) demanded Barabbas, a real criminal released and kill Jesus, an innocent man.
Three times Pilate tried to release Jesus, but the crowd continued to demand He be crucified, so Pilate finally relented and gave Jesus over to them.
In verses 26-49, (See also Matthew 27:32-56, and Mark 15:21-41), as they led Jesus away, Simon from Cyrene (Northern Africa) was forced to carry Jesus’ cross. Many people, including women, follow Jesus mourning Him. Jesus told them not to mourn Him but to mourn your own children for the days of Jerusalem’s destruction were near.
In verses 32-43, two criminals were crucified along with Jesus, one on either side of Him. Jesus prayed for the Father to forgive them (the soldiers that carried out the execution order) because they didn’t understand who He was. The soldiers divided His clothes and cast lots for them (fulfilling Psalm 22:18). The people and the soldiers mocked Jesus, saying if He really was King of the Jews, He should save himself. The plaque above His head read, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals even began to mock Jesus. The other one rebuked him, saying they deserved punishment, but Jesus had done nothing wrong. This man asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom, and Jesus assured him he would be with Him in paradise that day.
Note: Both criminals deserved their punishment. One mocked Jesus even as he was about to die, while the other man turned to Jesus and recognized Him as Messiah.
In verses 44-49, Luke notes several things that happened in Jesus’ final hours as He was about to die:
- Darkness came over the land for three hours from 12n – 3 pm (see Luke 22:53).
- The curtain of the temple that separated the holy of holies from the rest of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
- Jesus gave up His life as He breathed His last.
- A Roman centurion began to glorify God, saying this man was righteous (not a guilty man).
- Spectators went home beating their chests (mourning).
- The women who had been with Jesus from Galilee stood nearby until the very end (unlike the disciples who had all scattered).
In verses 50-56, (See also Matthew 27:57-61, and Mark 15:42-47), Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, who believed in Jesus, asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. He took Jesus, wrapped Him in linen, and placed Him in his own new tomb. It was Preparation Day (Friday before the Sabbath). The women from Galilee who had been following Jesus watched where Jesus was taken. They prepared spices and perfumes to anoint His body after the Sabbath.
John 18
In verses 1-11, (See also Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-50, and Luke 22:47-53), John describes the betrayal of Jesus. Jesus left the Passover dinner with His disciples and went across the Kidron Valley to the olive garden (Gethsemane).
Note: During the Passover celebration, many people camped near Jerusalem. Jesus and the disciples often stayed in the olive garden when they were in the area.
Judas knew where the disciples were staying and went there, leading a group of chief priests, Pharisees, temple police, and soldiers. Jesus met them and asked who they were looking for. They answered Jesus the Nazarene. Jesus said I am He. When He said this, they stepped back and fell to the ground.
Note: Falling to the ground was a common response to being in the presence of divinity.
Jesus asked a second time, and they responded a second time that they were looking for Jesus of Nazareth. Simon Peter stepped forward and cut off the ear of Malchus, the high priests’ servant. Jesus told Peter to put away his sword and asked, Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given me.
Note: The “cup” Jesus referred to was the suffering and death that He was to experience.
In verses 12-27, (See also Matthew 26:57-68, Mark 14:53-65, and Luke 22:54), John describes the trials of Jesus and Peter’s denials.
The Jewish temple police seized Jesus, bound Him, and took Him to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest.
Note: Annas had also served as a high priest. He served from A.D. 6-15.
Simon Peter was following Jesus along with another disciple (probably John). That disciple (John) was an acquaintance of the high priest and was allowed into the courtyard while Peter remained outside by the door. The other disciple spoke to the girl who was the doorkeeper who allowed Peter inside. She accused Peter of being one of Jesus' disciples, and Peter denied it. Peter stood near a fire with the temple police and household slaves to warm himself.
Annas questioned Jesus, who said since He had always taught openly in the temple complex and the synagogue, so Annas should ask those who heard Him teach. Annas bound Jesus and sent Him to Caiaphas.
One of the people warming themselves by the fire asked Simon Peter again if he was one of Jesus’ disciples, and he denied it. Finally, one of the high priests’ slaves, a relative of Malchus, directly accused Peter of being a disciple because she had seen him in the garden. Peter denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.
In verses 28-38, (See also Matthew 27:1-14, Mark 15:2-5, and Luke 23:1-5), John describes Jesus being brought before Pilate, the Roman governor.
Note: John did not report the trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin (See Mark 14:55-64).
Note: Jews did not have the right to put Jesus to death, so the case had to be brought to Pilate, the Roman governor (A.D. 26-36).
The Jews did not enter Pilate’s quarters because they did not want to become defiled, so Pilate stepped out to meet them. Ultimately, Pilate told them to judge Jesus according to their own law, but they told Pilate it is not legal for us to put this man to death.
Pilate asked for Jesus to be brought to him, asking if He was the King of the Jews. Jesus answered that His kingdom was not of this world. Pilate asked, are you a king. Jesus answered you say that I am, I was born for this: to testify to the truth and everyone who is of truth listens to My voice. Pilate asked what is the truth.
Note: Scholars speculate on Pilate’s intention with his question, what is the truth. Is he asking because he wants to know? Is he asking philosophically? Or is he indifferent, irritated? We can’t be certain, but his reaction is telling.
In verses 39-40, Pilate left Jesus, and went out to the Jews and told them he found no grounds for charging Him. He offered to release Jesus, but the crowd demanded the release of Barabbas.
Note: It was customary for Pilate to release one prisoner. Rather than releasing Jesus, he appealed to the crowd and avoided the Jewish rulers. But the rulers pushed for Barabbas’ release so they could continue their plan to kill Jesus.
Note: Barabbas means “Son of the father.” He was a revolutionary, someone who, in today’s terminology, would be considered a domestic terrorist.
Some thoughts for further consideration:
- In His high priestly prayer, Jesus prayed for the unity of believers and the church. I wonder what He would say to us today with all the denominations who legalistically argue amongst themselves, dividing the body even further.
- When Peter should have followed, he fought. When he should have led, he denied. We face the same challenge in knowing when to follow and when to lead to fulfilling God’s will today.
John 19
In verses 1-5, (See also Matthew 27:27-56, and Mark 15:16-20), Pilate had Jesus flogged. The soldiers made a crown of thorns, placed it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him. They taunted Jesus and slapped Him.
Pilate went back outside and said for the third time, he found no grounds to charge Jesus with a crime. Jesus was brought out, and Pilate said here is the man.
Note: Pilate may have thought that punishing Jesus by flogging Him would satisfy the crowd.
In verses 6-17, the chief priests and temple police demanded Jesus be crucified, but Pilate again said he found no grounds to charge Jesus. He told them to crucify Jesus themselves, but the Jews said Jesus needed to be crucified because He claimed to be the Son of God.
Note: The claim to be the Son of God was blasphemy according to the Jewish leaders, and this, they said, demanded the death penalty.
Pilate was more afraid than ever, so he asked Jesus where He was from, but Jesus did not answer (fulfilling Isaiah 53:7). Jesus told Pilate he had no authority except that which was given by God. Again Pilate tried to release Jesus, but the Jews said if you release Him, you are no friend of Caesar’s.
Note: Pilate was an appointed Roman governor. Pilate was not about to allow a bad report to go back to Caesar that suggested Pilate was not loyal to Rome.
Pilate had Jesus brought back out, took a seat at his judging bench, and told the Jews, here is your king. It was about 6 am on Passover (Friday).
Note: Friday, the day of Passover, was also called the day of preparation for the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which followed immediately after Passover.
The Jews again cried out they wanted Jesus crucified, claiming they have no king but Caesar. With that, Pilate relented and turned Jesus over to be crucified.
Note: The Jews’ claim that they had no king, but Caesar was certainly ironic since they had just denied their true king and Messiah.
In verses 17-37, (see also Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:20-37, and Luke 23:26-46), John describes the crucifixion and death of Jesus.
They took Jesus to the place of the skull (Golgotha, which means place of the skull or skull place). They crucified Jesus with two others, one on either side of Him. Pilate had a sign made and placed on the cross that said, Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews. It was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. The chief priests objected to the term King of the Jews, but Pilate refused to change it.
The four soldiers divided Jesus' clothes among them and cast lots for His tunic (fulfilling Psalm 22:18).
Standing near the cross was Jesus’ mother, Mary’s sister Salome (the mother of John), Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Jesus said to His disciple (John), here is your mother.
Note: In His final moments, Jesus assigned the care of His mother to John. Mary was likely a widow in her early 50’s with no personal assets or income. Jesus fulfilled the commandment to “honor” His mother by providing for her care.
Note: Between verse 27 and 28 was the three hours of darkness mentioned in Matthew, Mark, and Luke’s gospel.
Jesus realized everything had been fulfilled according to scripture. He said, “It is finished,” bowed His head, and gave up His spirit.
Because it was preparation day and the Jews didn’t want the bodies hanging on the crosses over the Sabbath, they requested Pilate order the legs of the men be broken to speed their death. They broke the legs of the two men who were with Jesus, but when they came to Him, they found He was already dead. To be sure Jesus was dead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, and blood and water came out (fulfilling Zechariah 12:10).
In verses 38-42 (See also Matthew 27:57-60, Mark 15:43-46, and Luke 23:50-54), John describes the burial of Jesus.
Joseph of Arimathea, who was secretly one of Jesus’ disciples because he was a member of the Sanhedrin, asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. Pilate permitted him, so Joseph took Jesus’ body. Nicodemus brought a mixture of about 75 pounds of myrrh and aloe, and together with Joseph, they wrapped Jesus’ body in linen cloth along with the spices. They then took Jesus to a new tomb that was nearby and laid Him there.
Note: It was important to care for Jesus’ body before sundown when the Sabbath started, and all work had to stop.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
