- 1And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.
- 2And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cæsar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
- 3And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.
- 4Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.
- 5And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.
- 6When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilæan.
- 7And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
- 8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
- 9Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
- 10And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
- 11And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
- 12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
- 13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
- 14Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
- 15No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
- 16I will therefore chastise him, and release him.
- 17(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)
- 18And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:
- 19(Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
- 20Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.
- 21But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.
- 22And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.
- 23And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
- 24And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.
- 25And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
- 26And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
- 27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
- 28But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
- 29For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
- 30Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
- 31For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
- 32And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
- 33And 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.
- 34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
- 35And 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.
- 36And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
- 37And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
- 38And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
- 39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
- 40But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
- 41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
- 42And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
- 43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
- 44And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
- 45And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
- 46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
- 47Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
- 48And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
- 49And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
- 50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:
- 51(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathæa, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.
- 52This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.
- 53And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
- 54And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
- 55And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
- 56And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
KING JAMES VERSION
LUKE 23
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
CHAPTER VISUAL
Luke 23 — Today with Me gathers the chapter’s central movement as Jesus’s identity, authority, mercy, and saving mission are revealed.
About this illustration
The illustration centers jesus hangs on the central cross between two criminals as grieving women and a centurion stand below. Other events and teachings remain in the chapter text rather than being crowded into one scene.
Scripture basis: Luke 23:1–56King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGEANCIENT TEXT CONNECTIONS 
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Related 1 Enoch Passages
These links distinguish direct quotation, explicit retelling, strong literary parallel, and broader shared tradition. A parallel does not by itself prove direct dependence.
The language of God’s Chosen or Elect One belongs to the same Second Temple expectation represented in 1 Enoch’s chosen heavenly judge.
Archaeological Evidence
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEInscription
Approximately AD 26–36
The Pilate Stone
A damaged Latin building dedication from Caesarea preserves Pontius Pilate's name and contemporary title, Prefect of Judaea, anchoring the Gospel governor in the administrative center and titulature of Roman Judaea.
Luke 3:1 · Matthew 27:1–26 · Mark 15:1–15
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArtifact
First century AD
Crucified Man Yehohanan Ossuary
A first-century Jerusalem heel bone pierced by an iron nail and deposited with remains in an inscribed ossuary provides rare direct evidence for Roman crucifixion followed by Jewish tomb burial.
Matthew 27:32–60 · Mark 15:21–46 · Luke 23:26–53
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEInscription
First century AD
Alexander Son of Simon Ossuary
A first-century Jerusalem tomb produced a bilingual ossuary naming Alexander and Simon with a debated Cyrenian designation, an intriguing parallel to Mark 15:21 that documents a Diaspora family but cannot establish identity with Simon of Cyrene's son.
Mark 15:21 · Luke 23:26 · Acts 6:9
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArtifact
4 BC-AD 39
Coins of Herod Antipas
Bronze issues from Tiberias name Herod as tetrarch, carry regnal dates, and directly attest the Galilean ruler and title familiar from the Gospels without depicting the narrated events.
Matthew 14:1–12 · Mark 6:14–29 · Luke 3:1
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
3rd century AD, deposited before Dura-Europos fell in AD 256
Dura Parchment 24: A Third-Century Gospel Harmony Fragment
A parchment leaf found at Dura-Europos combines wording from all four canonical Passion narratives and was buried before the city's destruction in AD 256, though its identification as Tatian's Diatessaron is debated.
Matthew 27:55–61 · Mark 15:40–47 · Luke 23:49–56
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
Late sixth century AD
The St Augustine Gospels (CCCC MS 286)
The St Augustine Gospels (CCCC MS 286) is a distinct physical witness to the material transmission and reception of Scripture, identified by its own shelfmark, date, contents, and custodial history.
Luke 22:39–71 · Luke 23:1–56 · Luke 24:1–53
View all 8 archaeology resources
- Codex Usserianus Primus (VL 14): Early Irish Old Latin Gospels
- Fragmentum Ambrosianum (VL 21): Fifth-Century Old Latin Luke
Prophecy Events
PROPHECY EVENTFulfilled
30
Psalms 31:5Into Your Hand I Commit My Spirit
Psalm 31 expresses the righteous sufferer’s trust by committing his spirit into God’s hand.
Conflictfinal wordstrustspiritcross
PROPHECY EVENTFulfilled
30
Isaiah 52:13–15 · Isaiah 53:1–12The Suffering Servant Is Cut Off
Isaiah portrays a rejected servant who suffers, bears sin, and is cut off. Watchman 33 identifies the servant with Jesus; a pre-Christian Isaiah manuscript and independent evidence for execution under Pilate anchor the setting, while the redemptive meaning remains theological.
JudgmentJesus ChristSuffering ServantIsaiah 53crucifixion
Sermons
Skyfall 2024: Purified Seven Times by Sal Corona
In “Skyfall 2024 - Purified Seven Times by Sal Corona,” Sal Corona presents a Scripture-centered message about the authority of Scripture, faith, Bible prophecy. Drawing especially from Psalm 126, Psalm 138:2, Mark 16, Matthew 18:11, the teaching emphasizes that Scripture is presented as the standard for doctrine, discernment, and daily obedience. Corona connects that foundation with the conviction that biblical faith trusts God’s character and acts upon His promises.
Bible ProphecyScripture AloneChristian Living
View sermon Jesus is Our Lord
In “Jesus is Our Lord,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about faith, family discipleship, the authority of Scripture. Drawing especially from 1 John 5, Psalm 116, Colossians 3, John 11:25, the teaching emphasizes that biblical faith trusts God’s character and acts upon His promises. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that faithfulness in the home requires instruction, loving correction, protection, and a consistent Christian example.
Doctrine and DiscernmentChrist AloneSalvation and the GospelSpiritual Warfare
View sermon Apologetics #3 - The Divine Inspiration of the Bible (Part 2)
In “Apologetics #3 - The Divine Inspiration of the Bible (Part 2),” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about Bible prophecy, the authority of Scripture, Israel in prophecy. Drawing especially from Luke 24:44, Genesis 3:15, Genesis 18:18, Matthew 1:1, the teaching emphasizes that prophecy should produce discernment, readiness, and faithfulness rather than speculation alone. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that Scripture is presented as the standard for doctrine, discernment, and daily obedience.
Bible ProphecyScripture AloneIsrael and Jerusalem
View sermon Showing 1–3 of 5 sermons