Luke 23: 26-56, On the Cross

Jesus has been sentenced to be crucified.

Luke 23: 26-31, A man from Cyrene and women of Jerusalem
As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.

Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, `Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' Then "`they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"'

For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

Luke identifies the man who carried the cross.

The quote in verse 31 ("Fall on us! Cover us!") is from Hosea 10:8, prophesying a time of war and desolation for Jerusalem.

Luke 23: 32-33, Two other criminals
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left.  Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."  And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Jesus is crucified between the other two. The soldier remove Jesus's clothes and keep them for themselves, since he is expected to die by thirst and exposure.

Luke 23: 35-38
The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."

The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Even in their mockery, the soldiers get it right.  This is the eternal King of the Jews.

Luke 23: 39-43, Two criminals separated
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

It is a strange aspect of human nature that one of the criminals wants to join in the mockery.  But Luke reports that one does not and indeed, that one is aware of whom he is dying with.

The fact that one asks to join Jesus in his kingdom is recorded only by Luke.

Luke 23: 44-49, Death
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.

Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.

The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man."

When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Jesus suddenly dies quickly.  Crucifixions were notorious for long torturous deaths.

Luke 23: 50-53, Burial
Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.

One of the religious leaders is a Follower and seeks a decent burial for Jesus.

Luke 23: 54-56, Grieving women
It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

It is Friday afternoon.  When the sun sets the Sabbath begins and no work is to be done.  So the women will bring back spices on Sunday, after the Sabbath is over.