*Luke 23:32-49
Jesus is crucified between two criminals, forgives his executioners, and promises paradise to a repentant thief.
- The Crucifixion of Jesus:
- Jesus is led to the place called Calvary, along with two criminals, to be crucified.
- As He is crucified, Jesus asks God to forgive the executioners, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
- Mockery from Various Groups:
- The crowd, including leaders and soldiers, mock Jesus. They challenge Him to save Himself, referring to Him as the King of the Jews.
- One of the criminals crucified beside Him also ridicules Him, questioning His claim to be the Messiah.
- Promise to the Penitent Criminal:
- The other criminal rebukes the mocking criminal, acknowledging their deserved punishment and Jesus’ innocence.
- He asks Jesus to remember him when Jesus comes into His kingdom. Jesus responds, promising, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
- Darkness and Jesus’ Death:
- From noon until 3 p.m., darkness covers the land.
- Jesus cries out, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” and dies, after declaring, “It is finished.”
- Reactions to His Death:
- The centurion overseeing the execution praises God, proclaiming Jesus’ innocence, struck by the manner of His death.
- The assembled crowds, after witnessing the events, return home beating their breasts in mourning and grief.
- Jesus’ acquaintances and the women who followed Him from Galilee stand at a distance, observing these events.
- The Temple Veil Torn:
- Concurrent with Jesus’ death, the veil of the temple is torn in two, symbolizing the end of the separation between God and humanity.
23:32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
23:33 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.
23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
23:35 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.
23:36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, 23:37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
23:38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
23:44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
23:45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
23:46 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.
23:47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
23:48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
23:49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.