The Crucifixion of Jesus: Luke 19-23 (BibleProject)

The Crucifixion of Jesus as described in Luke 19-23 covers the final days of Jesus' life, His betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and eventual death on the cross. The narrative begins with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19), where He is hailed as the Messiah by the crowds, but it soon shifts towards His impending suffering and sacrifice.

Key Events in Luke 19-23:

1. Triumphal Entry (Luke 19:28-44): Jesus enters Jerusalem riding a colt, fulfilling a prophecy from Zechariah 9:9. The crowds praise Him, shouting, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!" However, Jesus weeps over the city, foreseeing its destruction because of its failure to recognize the time of God’s coming.

2. The Cleansing of the Temple (Luke 19:45-48): Jesus drives out the merchants from the Temple, declaring it a house of prayer, but rebuking those who have turned it into a den of thieves.

3. The Last Supper (Luke 22:7-23): During the Passover meal, Jesus shares His final meal with His disciples, where He institutes the practice of Communion, symbolizing His body and blood given for humanity. He foretells His betrayal and impending sacrifice.

4. Jesus' Betrayal and Arrest (Luke 22:39-53): After praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus is betrayed by Judas Iscariot and arrested by the authorities. His disciples, confused and afraid, flee as He is taken into custody.

5. Trials before the Sanhedrin and Pilate (Luke 22:66-23:25): Jesus is brought before the Jewish council (Sanhedrin), where He is accused of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God. He is then taken to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, who finds no guilt in Him. Despite Pilate's attempts to release Jesus, the crowd demands His crucifixion, and Barabbas, a criminal, is released in His place.

6. The Crucifixion (Luke 23:26-49): Jesus is led to Golgotha, carrying His cross with the help of Simon of Cyrene. On the cross, He is crucified alongside two criminals. Even in His suffering, Jesus asks the Father to forgive His executioners, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). One of the criminals asks Jesus to remember him in His kingdom, and Jesus promises, "Today, you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43).

7. Jesus' Death (Luke 23:44-49): As darkness covers the land, Jesus breathes His last and declares, "Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46). The centurion witnessing the event proclaims, "Surely this was a righteous man." Jesus dies, and the curtain in the Temple is torn in two, symbolizing the new covenant between God and humanity.

Themes in Luke’s Account of the Crucifixion:

• Divine Forgiveness: Even in His agony, Jesus offers forgiveness to those responsible for His death, reflecting His mission to save sinners.
• Innocence and Injustice: Luke emphasizes Jesus’ innocence throughout the trial process. Pilate, Herod, and even the centurion acknowledge His righteousness.
• Salvation and Compassion: Jesus extends mercy to the repentant criminal, illustrating that salvation is available to all, even in one’s final moments.
• Fulfillment of Prophecy: The events leading to Jesus’ death fulfill Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah’s suffering and sacrifice.

The crucifixion narrative in Luke portrays Jesus as the suffering yet compassionate Savior, enduring the cross to bring redemption and forgiveness to humanity.