What does Luke 23:33 mean?
ESV: And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.
NIV: When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.
NASB: And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.
CSB: When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left.
NLT: When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified — one on his right and one on his left.
KJV: And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
NKJV: And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.
Verse Commentary:
Jesus has reached the place of the crucifixion. Simon of Cyrene has carried the cross-piece part of the way (John 19:17; Matthew 27:32), as apparently Jesus is too weak from the beatings. A great crowd followed. Along the way, Jesus has warned a group of women that they should not weep for Him: they should mourn for themselves when judgment comes (Luke 23:26–31).
Matthew and Mark identify the other two men as robbers (Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27). We do not know what they have done. Their presence fulfills the prophecies by both Jesus and Isaiah that He would be "numbered with the transgressors" (Luke 22:36–37; Isaiah 53:12).
All four Gospels include these facts: Jesus was crucified, it was at a place called the Skull, and the criminals were to His right and left (Matthew 27:33, 38; Mark 15:22, 27; John 19:17–18). The other three Gospels include the Aramaic word "Golgotha" (Matthew 27:33; Mark 15:22; John 19:17). This was a specific hill which apparently resembled a human skull. In Greek, the term for a skull is kranion. In Latin, this was translated as Calvariae, literally "of the Skull." From this came the English name "Calvary." John 20:25–27 and Colossians 2:14 affirm that Jesus' hands are nailed to the cross beam; Luke will mention the scars in Luke 24:40.
Beyond those simple facts is a tie to Jesus' earlier teaching. James and John had approached Jesus and asked about their roles in His kingdom. They—or their mother (Matthew 20:20–21)—said, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." Jesus replied, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They responded, "We are able." Jesus went on to say they will share His "cup" and "baptism," but He could not promise them the positions they sought: "To sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared" (Mark 10:35–40).
John and James were talking about thrones on either side of Jesus as advisors when He became king of the Jews. They were thinking that His "cup" was filled with glory. Now, perhaps, they are grateful others are in the places they requested. Jesus and the robbers on either side of Him are sharing the "cup" of wrath of the judgment of the Romans and the "baptism" of death. The two "advisors" give different guidance: one mocks Jesus for His apparent powerlessness; the other recognizes Him as the Christ and publicly follows Him (Luke 23:39–43).
James and John do share Jesus' "cup;" James becomes the first apostle to be martyred (Acts 12:1–2). John suffers torture, imprisonment, and exile before dying of old age.
Verse Context:
Luke 23:32–43 gives a living illustration of the gospel. Jewish rulers, soldiers, and one of the crucified thieves mock Jesus. He forgives them. The other thief takes advantage of Jesus' offer and asks Jesus to remember him in His kingdom; Jesus promises He will. Matthew 27:33–44, Mark 15:22–32, and John 19:17–24 give similar accounts with other details. John also describes how Jesus gives John, the son of Zebedee, responsibility for Mary (John 19:25–27).
Chapter Summary:
Luke 23 records the remaining trials, death, and burial of Jesus Christ. He is examined by the Roman governor and the local appointed King, neither of whom are interested in passing a death sentence. Local religious leaders incite the crowd, pressuring the governor, Pilate, to authorize crucifixion. Jesus accepts the faith of another condemned man and dies. Joseph of Arimathea asks for Jesus body and buries it in a tomb cut from rock.
Chapter Context:
Luke 23 records Jesus' civil trials, crucifixion, and burial. The members of the Sanhedrin have put Jesus through three trials in their attempt to convince Pilate He's a threat (Luke 22:47–71). Their case is weak, but their political influence is powerful enough to force Pilate's hand. Jesus is executed. Three days after Joseph of Arimathea buries Jesus, Jesus reappears on the road to Emmaus where He explains Messianic prophecies in Jewish Scriptures. After spending time with His followers, Jesus ascends into heaven (Luke 24) and the disciples build the church (Acts).
Book Summary:
Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.
Accessed 12/4/2024 3:05:50 AM
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