Luke Chapter 23 brings us to the trial, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus. In Luke Ch22, Jesus gave the new covenant in His blood, prayed in agony, was betrayed, and was denied by Peter. Now in Luke 23, He stands before rulers, is rejected by the crowd, crucified between criminals, and dies as the innocent King. For more on the betrayal and suffering of Christ, see this point further in Luke Ch22.

The chapter begins with Jesus being brought before Pilate. The leaders accuse Him of misleading the nation, opposing Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king. Pilate asks Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answers, “You have said so.” Pilate finds no guilt in Him. That matters. Luke repeatedly shows that Jesus is innocent. The cross is not the death of a guilty man. It is the death of the righteous One in the place of the guilty.

Jesus is then sent to Herod, who wants to see a miracle. But Jesus gives him no performance. Herod mocks Him and sends Him back to Pilate. Even Herod and Pilate become friends that day, united around their handling of Jesus. Sin often brings people together against Christ, even when they have little else in common.

Pilate again says Jesus has done nothing deserving death. Yet the crowd cries out for Barabbas to be released and Jesus to be crucified. Barabbas is guilty of rebellion and murder. Jesus is innocent. But Barabbas is set free, and Jesus is handed over. This is a clear picture of substitution. The guilty man is released while the innocent Christ is condemned.

From a Christian Reformed lens, this points to the heart of the Gospel. We are not saved because we are innocent. We are saved because Christ stands in the place of sinners. The righteous One is condemned so the guilty may go free. This connects with John Ch19, where Jesus declares, “It is finished.” See this point further in John Ch19.

As Jesus is led away, Simon of Cyrene is made to carry the cross behind Him. A great crowd follows, including women mourning for Him. Jesus tells them not to weep for Him, but for themselves and their children. Even on the way to the cross, Jesus speaks as Prophet and King. He sees the judgment coming upon Jerusalem and warns with mercy and truth.

Then Jesus is crucified between two criminals. While He is being nailed to the cross, He says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” That prayer is stunning. Christ does not curse His enemies. He intercedes. He is mocked by rulers, soldiers, and one of the criminals, yet He remains full of mercy.

One criminal joins the mockery, but the other is humbled. He admits his guilt and says that Jesus has done nothing wrong. Then he turns to Christ and says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answers, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

That moment is one of the clearest pictures of salvation by grace. The thief has no time to fix his life, perform religious works, or prove himself. He comes with need, guilt, and faith in Christ. And Jesus saves him. This does not make obedience unimportant. It shows that salvation rests on Christ’s mercy, not human merit.

The sky grows dark, the curtain of the temple is torn, and Jesus cries out, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Then He breathes His last. The torn curtain shows that access to God is opened through the death of Christ. The old barriers are being fulfilled and surpassed. The way to God is through the crucified Savior.

The centurion sees what happened and says, “Certainly this man was innocent!” Again, Luke presses the point. Jesus is innocent. He is the righteous sufferer. He is the King who dies for sinners.

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, a good and righteous man, asks Pilate for the body of Jesus. He wraps Him in linen and lays Him in a tomb where no one had ever been laid. The women see the tomb and prepare spices, but they rest on the Sabbath. The chapter ends quietly, but not hopelessly. The tomb is real, the death is real, and the resurrection is coming.

This connects with John Ch20, where the empty tomb reveals the victory of the risen Christ. See this point further in John Ch20.

Luke Chapter 23 shows us the innocent King condemned by sinners.

Pilate finds no guilt in Him.

Herod mocks Him.

Barabbas goes free.

Jesus is crucified.

The thief is saved by grace.

The curtain is torn.

The centurion confesses His innocence.

And the body of Christ is laid in the tomb.

The cross is not failure.

It is substitution.

It is mercy.

It is the righteous Christ giving Himself for the unrighteous.

And because the innocent King dies for sinners, guilty people can be forgiven and brought into paradise.