Bible Commentary

And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 41. we receive the due reward of our deeds ] Literally, “we receive back things worthy of the crimes we did.” hath done nothing amiss ] Literally, “ did nothing out of place ” (like … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 23:41”

But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 40 . But the other ] The ‘bonus latro,’ or ‘Penitent Robber,’is called by various traditional names, and in the Arabic ‘Gospel of the Infancy’ (an Apocryphal book) he is called Titus and Dysmas in Ev. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 23:40”

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 39 – 43. The Penitent Robber. 39. one of the malefactors ] In St Matthew and St Mark we are told that both the robbers “reviled” Him. Here then we might suppose that there was … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 23:39”

And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38. a superscription ] A tilulus written in black letters on a board smeared with white gypsum, and therefore very conspicuous. To put such a board over the head of a crucified … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 23:38”

And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. 37. If thou be the King of the Jews ] as the title over Thy Cross asserts. The soldiers would delight in these taunts, because, like the ancients generally, they detested all Jews. Tumults of the most violent kind often arose from the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 23:37”

And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, 36. the soldiers also mocked him ] A quaternion of soldiers (Joh 19:23) with a centurion. Similarly Tacitus says of the Christian martyrs who perished in the Neronian persecution, “ pereuntibus addita ludibria” (Ann. xv. 44). offering him vinegar ] It was … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 23:36”

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. 35. beholding ] The word implies that they gazed as at a solemn spectacle, Psa 22:17; Zec 12:10. They seem as a body to have been … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 23:35”

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. 34. Father, forgive them ] Isa 53:12, “He bare the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” These words were probably uttered at the terrible moment when the Sufferer was outstretched upon … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 23:34”

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. 33 – 38. The Crucifixion and Mockery. The Title. 33. the place, which is called Calvary ] It is nowhere in Scripture called ‘a hill,’ … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 23:33”

And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. 32. two other ] Perhaps followers of the released Barabbas. They were not ‘thieves,’ but ‘robbers’ or ‘brigands,’ and this name was not undeservedly given to some of the wild bands which refused Roman authority. See Isa 53:9. malefactors ] … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 23:32”