What I Noticed Today (Luke 23-24)
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 the 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 believing 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.
Pilate tried to release Jesus three times, 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 their 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 temple curtain 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.
Luke 24
In verses 1-9, the women from Galilee arrived very early in the morning on Sunday to anoint Jesus' body. When they arrived, they found the large stone covering the tomb rolled aside and the tomb empty. Two men appeared in dazzling clothes. The women were terrified, but the angels reminded them of what Jesus had taught them; that He would be betrayed, crucified, and rise on the third day. The women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary, mother of James, returned to the disciples and told them what had happened. The disciples did not believe the women, but Peter got up and ran to the tomb. When he looked in, he saw only the linen clothes. He left, amazed.
In verses 13-35, (See also Mark 16:12-13), that same day, two of Jesus's disciples were walking Emmaus (a town about seven miles from Jerusalem). Along the way, they were discussing Jesus and His teaching. Jesus came near and began to walk with them, but they were kept from recognizing Him. Jesus asked them about their dispute.
One man named Cleopas said they were discussing Jesus, a prophet whom the chief priests and elders had put to death. They were hoping Jesus would redeem Israel. They told how the women had found Jesus’ tomb empty, some angels had said Jesus was resurrected, and some of the disciples went and found the same thing.
Jesus rebuked the men for not believing what the prophets had spoken about the Messiah. Jesus then explained what the scriptures said about the Messiah. The men invited Jesus to join them for the evening meal, and when Jesus broke the bread and blessed it, they recognized Him, and He suddenly disappeared.
They immediately got up and reported to the eleven disciples what had happened and how they had recognized Him when He broke the bread.
Note: The men referenced Jesus appearing before Simon after His resurrection earlier that same day. Paul makes a note of this in 1 Corinthians 15:5.
In verses 36-49, (See also Matthew 28:16-20 and Mark 16:14-18), Jesus then appeared in the midst of the disciples. They were terrified, thinking they saw a ghost. But Jesus comforted them and said, look at my hands and feet, touch me. Then He ate a piece of fish to demonstrate that he was not a ghost.
Jesus then reminded them of the Law of Moses, of the Prophets, and the Psalms that spoke of Him as Messiah; that He must suffer, die, and be resurrected. Only then could repentance for the forgiveness of sin be preached in His name to all the nations beginning in Jerusalem. His final instruction to them was to stay in Jerusalem until you are empowered from on High (receive the Holy Spirit, Acts 1:8).
Then Jesus led them out to Bethany and blessed them. While He was blessing them, he was raised up into heaven. The disciples returned to Jerusalem joyful, praising God continually in the temple.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
