CHAPTER 23

Again, may I say, as Christians, we should be REMINDED of Jesus' suffering BEFORE He went to the cross.

This group of men mocked Jesus being called "the King of Jews."
They mocked Him being called "Messiah!"
They mocked Him being called "Savior!"
They mocked Him being called "the Son of God!"
Then, they "smote" Him!
He Who could take their life with a Word, was stricken by mere men!
Then, they blindfolded Him, struck Him some more, and demanded He "prophesy" and tell who it was that struck Him.
That was not all!
The Bible says they "sought FALSE witnesses" to testify against Him ((See Matthew 26:59 )).
The Bible also says they "spat upon Him" ((See Matthew 26:67 )).
He was maliciously treated all during the night!

Now, it is morning.

1 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.
2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
3 And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.
4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.

Jesus is here formally accused by the Jewish leaders of that day.
It is said that He taught Himself as a King, and was "forbidding to give tribute to Caesar..."

Pilate was an overly cautious man. He knew the history of these people and was aware they tended to excitedly exagerate.
So, Pilate drew Jesus aside privately to the "judgment hall" (See John 18:33)

There is where Pilate asked the question "Art thou the King of the Jews?"
Jesus' answer ("Thou sayest it") is a way of saying, "Yes, it is true."
Jesus also explained that His "kingdom" was not "of this world." (See John 18:36)
Pilate knew that Jesus was not interested in a physical kingdom.
That's why he went out and told the people: "I find no fault in this man."

5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.
6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.
7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.

Now the leaders who had brought Jesus were REALLY upset!
The Bible says they were "more fierce" in their accusations.
They said Jesus "stirreth up the people!"
In other words, they were accusing Him of inciting the people to riot!

Pilate was glad to know Jesus was originally from Galilee!
This gave him an "out."
He immediately sent Jesus to Herod. Herod was in charge of Galilee, but just happened to be in Jerusalem at the time.

8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, was the same man who cut off the head of John the Baptist! Perhaps he had heard many claims of Jesus' miracles, and wanted to see for himself that Jesus had this power.

Herod questioned Jesus; but Jesus wouldn't answer him!
All the while, the "chief priests and scribes" violently and loudly continued accusing Jesus.

So, Herod had his men put Jesus in a "gorgeous robe," then "mocked Him!"

All of this brought no response from Jesus.
So, Herod, wanting to rid himself of the problem, sent Jesus back to Pilate.

12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him.
17 (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)

Pilate, having given over trial of Jesus to Herod, made a friend of an old enemy.
Herod, giving over the trial of Jesus to Pilate, made a friend of an old enemy.

Often, in this perverse world, powerful and wicked men have become aligned with one another to fight against Christ and Christians!!

Again, Pilate showed caution in handling the situation.
He said that neither he nor Herod found fault in Jesus worthy of death.
Then, he said he would "chastise" (flog) Jesus and let him go.

It was the Jewish "high feast" time, and there was a tradition among the governors. At that time, they would release one of their prisoners.

18 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:
19 (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)

The Jewish leaders KNEW of this tradition, and loudly proclaimed that Pilate should release Barabbas instead and take Jesus' life!
Barabbas had been found guilty of murder, and was scheduled to be crucified!

How badly did they want Jesus' death?
Bad enough to release a MURDERER!
How badly does an unconvicted world desire to be rid of Jesus? Bad enough to MURDER Christians!

20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.
21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.
22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.
23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
24 And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.
25 And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

Yet again, Pilate is cautious.
He could find no fault in Jesus, and wanted to release Him.

But the leaders of the Jewish people were insistent!
They used "loud voices," and were on the verge of riot!

When a person holds that Jesus is only a point of ridicule and mockery, they will allow a hostile crowd to commit MURDER of innocent people!

Pilate decreed that he would decide according to the pressure!
He allowed Barabbas to go free, and turned Jesus over for crucifiction!

25 And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

The murderer was set free, and Jesus was sent to be crucified!
Isn't that the symbolism of our salvation?

Simon was conscripted to carry the cross.
I'm sure he considered it a burden at that time.
But, what a privilege!

27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

As Jesus was led away, many people followed.
Some, undoubtedly wanted to see Him die! But, some were crying and lamenting.

Jesus spoke to those who were crying.
His speech was prophetic.
Soon (within 40 years) Jerusalem would be destroyed and its inhabitants scattered!
It would be as Hosea had prophesied (See Hosea 10:8 ).

Also, there'll be another day: when Jesus comes AGAIN!
Those who have rejected Him will be visited with awful plagues and disasters.
They too, will cry to the rocks "fall on us!" (See Revelation 6:16 )

It was a "green tree" when Jesus first came to earth and satisfied the penalty for our sin!
It will be a "dry tree" when He returns to judge all mankind!

32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
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.
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Jesus, and two thieves were taken to the place of execution.
Jesus was placed on the middle cross between the two thieves.

It had been prophesied by Isaiah two centuries before in this manner:
Isa 53:3-6
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Also, in Isaiah 53:12, the prophecy said, "...He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

Were they guilty for crucifying Jesus, "the Lamb of God?"
YES! Because Jesus intereceded for their forgiveness!
Even though they saw and witnessed the evidence of His Diety, they REFUSED Him as their Messiah.

Did they "know" what they were doing?
NO! Because Jesus said they did NOT!
They certainly did not realize the gravity of the situation!

And they GAMBLED for His clothes!! (vs 34)
What depravity that men would commit sin at the feet of Him Who was dying for sin!

This shows just how far God will go to redeem sinful mankind!!
The Creator was crucified by crass, deniers!
Yet, He STILL offered forgiveness!!
Jesus KNEW He must die, and His blood become the propitiation for our sins!
Jesus KNEW His life must become the expiation for man's depraved condition!
And, He was STILL OFFERING forgiveness!!
WHAT A SAVIOR!!

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.
36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

As stated before, some came to lament; some came to watch Jesus die.
While those lamenting cried, the others mocked Jesus!
They said, "If He really IS Christ (the Messiah), let Him save Himself!"
Little did they know, if Jesus came DOWN from that cross without dying, they would have NO MEANS of redemption!

Yes! Jesus could certainly have come down from that cross!
He had both the power and authority to do so.
But His PURPOSE was to give His life "a ransom for many" (Matt 20:28, Mark 10:45).
Jesus held to His PURPOSE for OUR SAKES!!

They offered Jesus "vinegar" (a drink to deaden the senses).
But He REFUSED it!
He felt every moment of the pain and agony we brought to Him!
He is the "Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross..." (Hebrews 12:2)

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

According to John 19:21, the chief priests and elders asked that the inscription be changed. They wanted it to read "HE SAID HE WAS KING OF THE JEWS."

He IS "KING OF THE JEWS!"!!
He is also "LORD of ALL!" (See Acts 10:36)
And, as such, He shall be the JUDGE of all mankind!!

39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

One of the thieves mocked Jesus.
The other asked for salvation!

These were hardened criminals. Thus Isaiah 53:12 was fulfilled, "he was numbered among the transgressors."

Some interpret Jesus' statement here as: "TODAY you will be with me in paradise."
Some interepret it as: "TODAY I'm telling you: you will be with me in paradise."
To me, it's a fruitless argument of erred theological reasoning!
Both statements prophesy of an "expected" END!
Jesus is the NEW BEGINNING Who allows us to have God's "expected end!" (See Jeremiah 29:11)

Which have you done: denied Him, or asked Him for salvation?

44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
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.

Both Matthew 27:45 and Mark 15:33 speak of this "darkness" which was over the land of Judaea from "the sixth hour....unto the ninth hour."

That would mean that darkness prevailed from noon until 3PM.
Remember, this was the time of the full moon, for it was the time of the Passover.
Therefore, it was not a "darkness" of an eclipse!
It was a supernatural expression of God's sorrow!

The "Son of Righteousness" was suspended in "darkness" when men's sin crucified the Savior!
It was the ugliest, blackest moment in the history of mankind when the life of God in flesh was given freely for man's aberrations!
In Luke 23:53 Jesus had said to those who came to take Him with swords, "..this is your hour, and the power of darkness."

But, at the END of the darkness, Jesus "cried with a loud voice" and surrendered His "spirit" (life) into the capable hands of His Father.
((See 1Corinthians 15:45))

This was Friday, at "the ninth hour," or 3PM (see verse 46 above). This was precisely the time that the high priest was to offer a lamb for the sins of the people. After he had offered that lamb, he was to enter the Holy Place of the tabernacle and place blood on the small altar in front of the veil. Then he was to enter beyond the veil into the Holy of Holies, and place blood on the mercy seat of the ark.

The high priest was allowed to enter that Holy of Holies only ONCE per year! The veil symbolized a separation of God from people and their sinful ways. The once-per-year atonement symbolized that God must ALLOW one to come within to plead for the people. To enter without permission would mean sure death!

The Bible plainly states that at this time, "..the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.."!! Can you imagine the mind-boggling disturbance in the mind of the high priest as he entered the Holy Place and saw the veil RIPPED from top to bottom?!

When the Spirit of God left the body of Christ, His "Person" went directly through the veil!
He opened access to God permanently for all those who come to God by Him (See Hebrews 9:12). He purchased eternal redemption for those who come to God by Him!

47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

The "centurion" was a Roman guard, placed to witness the death of those crucified. A Roman, a man who probably worshipped many "gods." Even he said, "Truly this was the Son of God!"

This man was a witness to how Jesus willingly lay down to receive the nails in His hands and feet. He was a witness to how Jesus cried, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." He was a witness to the darkness that covered the earth. He was a witness to the earthquake when Jesus died. He KNEW this was "The Son of GOD!"

Countless others, by this man's witness, and by the reading of the Gospels, have come to know Jesus as the Eternal, Holy, Son of God, and Savior!

Verse 48 says some "smote their breasts," which is a sign of grief.
It is indeed grievous to know that the Creator must die to pay for man's sin!

50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:
51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.
52 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.
53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Here was a "rich man" who was a devoted disciple and follower of Christ - Joseph of Arimathaea. He used his influence to "beg" Pilate for the body of Christ. Then, after he had seen to it that the Lord's body was wrapped appropriately for burial, buried Jesus in his OWN tomb!! He had purchased that tomb for his OWN burial!

It has been said that Joseph didn't mind Jesus using his own tomb at all. After all, Jesus only wanted it for the weekend!

The women, later identified (See Luke 24:10), "marked" the spot where Jesus was laid.
They intended to return after the sabbath and properly apply spices and ointment to His body.

But, as we shall see in the next chapter, they never had the chance!!
Jesus is the One who "... liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." (Rev 1:18)

Having the "keys" to "hell and death" means He is capable of calling up ALL WHO HAVE EVER LIVED for a final judgment day!!

Are YOU ready?

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.