Senior Class Notes – March 24, 2024

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Spring 2024 Unit 1 Session 4 – The Death of Jesus; Luke 23:32-49; PSG 48-57 CSB.

March 24, 2024 Please also read “Holy Week” by Dr. William F. Cook. PSG pp. 58-61.

The Point: Jesus died to pay the debt of our sin.

Inspirational verse: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:18, 23).

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

Being executed between two criminals fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 53:12 “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”, as well as Jesus’ words in Luke 22:37 “For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me. And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.”16 Malefactors: one who commits an offense against the law.24 In this case, an offence warranting death.12

Luke 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.

The place where Jesus was crucified was called The Skull. In Aramaic, the name is Golgotha. The Latin equivalent is Calvaria,35 hence the name Calvary.16 Crucifixions were gory and gruesome, yet Luke spares us many of those details. He says simply that Jesus is crucified along with criminals.17 In the account of Jesus’ crucifixion, Luke alone does not use the Aramaic word for skull, “Golgotha,” but only the Greek translation, kranion. The translators of the King James Version used the Latin term which was familiar to them. In any case, Calvary, or Golgotha as the New Testament more commonly has it, is the name of the execution site just outside the walls of Jerusalem (John 19:20; cf. Heb. 13:122-13) yet in a location easily observable (Mark 15:40).14

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

Jesus forgave His executioners because they acted in ignorance of who He really was. The soldiers fulfilled Psalms 22:18 “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”16 Any possessions an executed person had with him were taken by the executioners. Unwittingly the soldiers were fulfilling the words of Psalm 22:18 “They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.”35 “When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. “let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it. (John 19:23-24).35 In His death, Jesus exemplified the forgiving, non-vindictive response to persecution. Jesus had taught on forgiving enemies (Mt. 6:14-15). This prayer “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Was probably on behalf of the Roman soldiers primarily but also all those involved in executing Jesus. In its widest theological context, the prayer can be applied to all sinners who caused Jesus to go to the cross. He is willing to forgive. We have to ask for and accept his forgiveness. Jesus first and last words from the cross were prayers to his Father.3

Luke 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.

Four different groups (the people in general, the rulers, the soldiers, and one of the criminals) scoffed at Jesus and challenged Him to save Himself.16 The rulers . . . deriding him, arguing that if Jesus were really the chosen of God, God would certainly save His Son. Therefore, God’s forsaking Jesus on the cross proved that His claims about himself were false.16 Considering all the people at the cross – the four groups mentioned – and a mixture of secret followers and curious onlookers, Jesus’ statement of forgiveness is utterly amazing. It reveals the depth of His love and grace for them and all humanity “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” KJV (Matt.5:44).32

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

The drink referred to here was probably wine vinegar, which was inexpensive and quenched thirst better than water. It was a drink of the poor.18 It was also a sour drink carried by the soldiers for the day. Jesus refused a sedative drink (Matthew 27:34; Mark 15:23) but later was given the vinegar drink when he cried out in thirst (John 19:28-30).35 The exact intentions of the soldiers offering the wine vinegar are unclear. Perhaps this was done in a rare act of mercy as an anesthetic. Alternatively, it might have been a soured drink given mockingly to a thirsty man.32 Luke shows that it was offered in mockery.35

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

Since Jesus could rebuke the devil during His temptations, it would be no contest to rebuke the soldiers who also mocked him. To the devil he said: “It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Luke 4:4). But to do so would have negated Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”12

Luke 23:38 And a superscription also was written over in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

None of the scoffers believed that Jesus was Christ . . . THE KING OF THE JEWS, even though the official inscription above His head on the cross charged Him with posing as such.16 John tells us “And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (John 19:19). When asked by the Jewish chief priests to change the title to say that “he said, I am King of the Jews.” (John 19:21), “Pilate answered, what I have written I have written.” (John 19:22).12 And a superscription also was written over in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew this was so that all who saw it could read it, since most people of the day could read at least one of them.12

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

Jesus of Nazareth was sent and anointed by God to be the Savior of the world. He refused to save Himself from crucifixion on the cross so He could obey the Father and save us from our sins. Christ voluntarily died on the cross. He proved He was Messiah in obedient love, not in self-centered, flamboyant miracles. See Luke 4:9-12.3

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

Only Luke gives this information (23:40-43). One of the thieves apparently had a change of heart and, with his faltering understanding, casts himself on Jesus’ mercy.14

Luke 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

In the midst of this display of unbelief and mockery, the other criminal came to understand the difference between his own guilt and Jesus’ innocence.16 This criminal recognized that an innocent man was being killed unjustly.19

Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

This other criminal also realized that Jesus was the Messiah and asked to take part in His coming kingdom.16 This same criminal then turned to Jesus and exhibited the first recorded expression of confidence in the power of Christ over death. Until the resurrected Jesus showed Himself to the disciples, they failed to see how His death could be anything but the end of the kingdom He had been proclaiming. But with great faith this humble criminal somehow saw Jesus’s death as the doorway to the kingdom.19 It is not too late to pray this prayer while the body has breath. The criminal’s prayer was answered. You can pray the same prayer in faith and be sure he will answer.3

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

He is amply rewarded (v. 43). He seeks eternal life in the hereafter, but receives the assurance of everlasting blessing, starting that very day.14 Jesus assured him that, after death, he would immediately be reunited with Him in paradise. (eternal life beyond the grave – Paul described a man he knew “a euphemism for himself”, “How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2 Cor. 12:4).16 The repentant thief went at death to where Jesus went. Jesus called the place paradise. The term often described a place of beauty and enjoyment. At death we go immediately to be with our Lord. Between death and resurrection at Jesus’s return, believers are said to be in an intermediate state.3 When we face physical death, as believers we are to be assured that we will immediately be with Jesus Christ in heaven. We will join Him in paradise. More than any other story in the New Testament, these reassuring words from Jesus demonstrate that salvation is by faith and faith alone.22 Paul put it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8, “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”16

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

Since the day began at daybreak, the sixth hour was about noon. The three hours of darkness – sixth hour until ninth hour – at midday was a sign of divine judgment against sin (which Jesus became on the cross) and sinners who unjustly executed the Son of God.16 The sixth hour is noon, by Jewish timekeeping. So the darkness must have been eerie. Nevertheless, it provided an appropriate setting for the Saviour of the world to commit His spirit into the hands of His heavenly Father.17

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

The curtain in the temple that veiled the most holy place and ark of the covenant is torn in half – from the top to the bottom “And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent.” (Matt. 27:51).17 The torn veil symbolized open access to God, made possible by the death of Christ. According to the Mishnah, [Mishnah is the first compilation of the oral law, authored by Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi (approx. 200 C.E.)] it was 60 feet long, 30 feet wide, and as thick as a man’s palm. It was so heavy that it took 300 men to lift it when it was wet (m. Shek. 8:5). That it tore from the top to the bottom shows that it was torn by God.16 The veil separating the two inner sections of the temple was rent in the midst, showing that the sacrifice of Jesus opened access to God. It was as if God Himself were replying to the insults.19

Luke 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.

Jesus was placed on the cross at about 9:00 a.m. “And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.” (Mark 15:25) and died after only six hours – an unusually short time. Crucifixion victims sometimes lingered for two or three days before death occurred.16 What Jesus said to the Father – His prayer – is the most trusting prayer any human ever prayed at death.3 In Matthew’s account, Jesus cries out in a loud voice twice. The first time in Matt. 27:46 “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, Lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Scholars have been divided over exactly what Jesus meant by this expression in which He quotes Psalm 22:1, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?” a lament psalm. Matthew offers no explanation for Jesus’ cry. The second time Jesus cried out was in verse 27:50 “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.” Mark repeats the same verses in 15:34 and 15:37.17

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

The centurion observed that Jesus was truly righteous (not a criminal in any respect). He also acknowledged that Jesus is the Son of God “Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.” (Matt. 27:54); “And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.” (Mark 15:39).16 If Jesus was righteous and innocent, then He is who He claimed to be. Thus a second figure besides the thief on the cross had insight into Jesus’ death.18 Luke the Gentile noted Gentile praise. Jesus received praise at His death as at His birth.3

Luke 23:48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.

Smiting their breasts could be a sign of grief, though in Luke 18:13 “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” it appears to reflect contrition before the Lord.16 Smote or beat their breast – a sign of anguish, grief or contrition.36

Luke 23:49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

            Significantly, the women disciples from Galilee, who had generously supported Jesus’ ministry financially (see Matt. 27:55-56; Mark 15:40-41; Luke 8:1-3), are spotlighted among those who were watching Him die on the cross. They stuck with Him even after the male disciples abandoned Him.16 Perhaps the Romans did not see women as a threat, but would have considered any men present to possibly be a threat. The exception might be John, identified as the disciple whom he loved, who stood with Jesus’ mother at the crucifixion (John 19:26-27).12 We must never overlook or take for granted the significant ministry contributions God designed for committed Christian women. When Jesus was taken captive, all of the apostles fled. However, many women stayed and continued to watch what was happening, though understandably “from a distance” (Mark 15:40; Luke 23:49). True, compared with the apostles, they would have not been perceived as a significant threat to the religious leaders. However, we must not overlook their boldness, loyalty, and dedication, which definitely reflected their inner strength.22

 References: Spring 2024, March 3, 2024 – May 19, 2024

  1. (CERB) – The Common English Reference Bible Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible.
  2. (CFSLPB) – The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible Copyright © 2017 by Thomas Nelson. Text from the Holy Bible, New International Version copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
  3. (CSBDSB) – Christian Standard Bible Disciple’s Study Bible Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers, One Lifeway Plaza, Nashville, Tennessee 37234.
  4. (CWB) – Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry – Marshall, Morgan & Scott, Ltd. Copyright © 1960. Copyright 1961 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan. 49506
  5. (CWB#2) – Commentary practical and explanatory on the Whole Bible by Rev. Robert Jamieson, Rev. A.R. Fausset, Rev. David Brown by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan. 49506
  6. (ESVSB) – The English Standard Version Study Bible, Personal size. Copyright © 2008 by Crossway. Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway.
  7. (ETB) – Explore The Book by J Sidlow Baxter. Copyright © 1960 by J. Sidlow Baxter. Published 1960 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan.
  8. (HBAKJV) – The Holy Bible Authorized King James Version, Copyright © 1950 by Book Production Industries, Inc.
  9. (HISB) – The Holman Illustrated Study Bible – The Holman Illustrated Study Bible Copyright © 2006 by Holman Bible Publishers. The Holman Christian Standard Bible Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers.
  10. (HRTB) He Reads Truth Bible Copyright © 2019 by Holman Bible Publishers Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved. Based on the Christian Standard Bible Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.
  11. (IDB) – The Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible Copyright © 1986 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
  12. (IMO) – On occasion, with the prayerful guidance of the Holy Spirit, I will make comments of my own, based on my understanding of the events. I will indicate such times with – In My O
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