Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 23:51
(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.
51. the same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them ] It is remarkable that Joseph is the only Sanhedrist of whom this exception is recorded. We cannot, however, doubt that it was true of Nicodemus also, since he was “ the teacher of Israel” (Joh 3:10), which may possibly mean the third officer of the Synagogue, who was known by the name of the Chakam or ‘Wise Man.’ The word ‘deed’ might almost be rendered ‘crime.’
Arimathea ] The name is a modification of the later Hebrew Ramtha, ‘a hill,’ and is the same name as Ramah, Ramathaim, &c. Hence the town of Joseph has been variously identified with Ramleh in Dan, Ramathaim in Ephraim (1Sa 1:1), and Ramah in Benjamin (Mat 2:18).
also ] i.e. as well as Christ’s open followers. The same word is preserved in Mat 27:57, “who also himself was a disciple,” though as St John (Joh 19:38) adds, “secretly for fear of the Jews.”
waited for the kingdom of God ] See Luk 2:25, and p. 382.
The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them,…. Though he was with the Jews, the chief priests, Scribes, and elders, in the high priest’s palace, being one of that great council; yet he did not agree with them; nor was it his advice and counsel, that they should put Christ to death; he was against it, at least did not consent to it:
he was of Arimathea, a city of the Jews;
[See comments on Mt 27:57]. This clause in the Syriac and Persic versions stands in the preceding verse, and follows after the mention of his name and office, and where it seems most natural;
who also himself waited for the kingdom of God;
[See comments on Mr 15:43].
He had not consented to their counsel and deed ( ). This parenthesis is given by Luke alone and explains that, though a councillor (, Mr 5:43) he had not agreed to the vote of the Sanhedrin. It is fairly certain that both Joseph and Nicodemus were suspected of sympathy with Jesus and so were not invited to the trial of Jesus. Was looking for (). Imperfect middle. Mr 15:43 has the periphrastic imperfect ( ). Consented [] . Only here in New Testament. Another of Luke’s numerous compounds. the Greek student will be struck with the array of compounds, from ver. 49 to 56, inclusive. The verb means to put [] , down [] , along with [] . Hence to put down the same vote or opinion with another : to agree with or assent to.
1) “The same had not consented to the counsel,” (houtos ouk en sugkatatetheimenos te boule) “This man not agreeing with the counsel,” given by the Sanhedrin concerning Jesus Christ. He had absented himself from, took no part in, gave no sanction to the action of the council to crucify Jesus, or declined to vote for the crucifixion.
2) “And deed of them;” (kai te praksei auton) “And their action,” regarding Him, His crucifixion, their repeated efforts to execute entrapment of Him.
3) “He was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews:” believed to be Ramathaim the birthplace of Samuel, the Prophet, 1Sa 1:1. And he was a rich man, Mat 27:57.
4) “Who also himself waited for the kingdom of God,” (os prosedecheto ten basileian tou theou) “Who was waiting the coming of the kingdom of God,” as an “honorable counsellor,” Mar 15:43 a; Luk 2:25; Luk 2:38. He was also described as a secret disciple, who openly confessed Christ only after His crucifixion, Mar 15:43; Luk 2:25-38; Joh 19:38.
(51) The counsel and deed of them.The first word includes all the earlier stages of the action of the Sanhedrin, from the counsel given by Caiaphas (Joh. 11:49) to the final condemnation; the second, the unofficial acts, such as the compact with Judas, and the delivery to Pilate.
Who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.The description agrees in form with St. Mark, but not with St. Matthew or St. John. Nicodemus, who acted with him, is mentioned in the fourth Gospel only.
‘He had not consented to their counsel and deed.’
Furthermore it is made clear that he had not consented to what had happened to Jesus. He had not voted for Jesus’ death. And yet we cannot hide from the fact that his voice against it had not been heard sufficiently to be commented on, apart from here. He had accepted the verdict reluctantly but he had not stood up to be counted, until now.
‘A man of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was looking for the Kingly Rule of God.’
But primarily, while he came from a city of the Jews, he was a man who was ‘looking for the Kingly Rule of God’ (compare Luk 2:25; Luk 2:38). He was a true believer, seeking first the Kingly Rule of God and His righteousness (Luk 12:31; Luk 18:29; Mat 6:33). His hear was thus set rightly towards God.
Arimathea was probably twenty miles north west of Jerusalem at Ramathaim-zophim (1Sa 1:1), now known as Rentis. The explanatory ‘a city of the Jews’ was for Luke’s Gentile readers.
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.
Ver. 51. The same had not consented ] This proved him to be a good man and a just, as Psa 1:1 . Sir John Cheek was drawn in for fear of death to be present at the condemnation of some of the martyrs. The remorse whereof so mightily wrought upon his heart, that not long after he left this mortal life; whose fall, though it was full of infirmity, yet his rising again by repentance was great, and his end comfortable, saith Master Fox. So by the malice and subtilty of Stephen Gardiner, Cromwell was commanded by King Henry VIII to read the sentence of condemnation against Mr Lambert the martyr, for the which Cromwell afterwards asked him forgiveness.
Waited for the kingdom of God ] Gr. , entertained and embraced it.
51. ] Peculiar to Luke. The meaning is, he had absented himself, and taken no part in their (the council’s) determination against Jesus.
Luk 23:51 . , was not a consenting party, here only in N. T. Alford thinks the meaning is that he absented himself from the meeting. Let us hope it means more than that: present at the meeting, and dissenting from its proceedings. . . , their counsel and their subsequent action in carrying that counsel into effect. , etc.: this describes his religious character. Thus we have first social position, a counsellor; next ethical character, generous and just: finally religious character, one who was waiting for the Kingdom of God.
consented = voted with. Greek. sunkatatithemi. Occurs only here. counsel. Greek. Louie. App-102.
of = from. Greek. apo. App-104.
also himself = himself also.
the kingdom of God. See App-114.
51. ] Peculiar to Luke. The meaning is, he had absented himself, and taken no part in their (the councils) determination against Jesus.
Luk 23:51. ) He, i.e. he alone. [If aught that is wrong goes forward without thy consent, do not at least give your approval to the act.-V. g.] Nicodemus, we know, was , a ruler, but he is not called , a counsellor.- , to the counsel) See Luk 23:1. The phraseology approaches nearly to that in Psa 1:1 [Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly].- , the deed) Luk 23:33.
had not: Gen 37:21, Gen 37:22, Gen 42:21, Gen 42:22, Exo 23:2, Pro 1:10, Isa 8:12
Arimathaea: 1Sa 1:1
waited: Luk 23:42, Luk 2:25, Luk 2:38, Gen 49:18, Mar 15:43
Reciprocal: Psa 1:1 – counsel Psa 58:1 – O congregation Zec 11:11 – that waited Mat 27:57 – there
Luk 23:51. He had not consented. From chap, Luk 22:70, we may infer that he was absent from the morning meeting of the Sanhedrin, probably from all.
Their counsel. The formal decision, which resulted in the deed, i.e., crucifixion.
Of, or from, Arimathea. He was of that city, but it is possible he came from that place at this time.
Verse 51
Waited for, &c.; was interested in looking for its approach.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament