Luke chapter 23

vs 34

Apparently early manuscripts don't have the words of Jesus, but they are repeated elsewhere, so I don't think we have to worry about that. The second part is also contained elsewhere, but is expressed as a fulfilment of scripture, instead of just being a cold fact.

vs 35

Most of the people just watched - probably expecting a miracle. It was the religious leaders who sneered. They had won, or so they thought. Must have never read Isaiah and Zechariah about the suffering servant.

They are trawling for insults here. Or perhaps Luke just didn't want to publish the rude ones.

vs 36

At least the soldiers were being paid to mock him. Again - if Pilate didn't want him mocked, he would have put out an edict not to mock him. Luke doesn't describe whether Jesus took the wine vinegar or not. He just states that they offered it to him.

vs 37

Either the roman soldiers knew a fair bit about jewish religion (which is possible I guess), or they were just taking their queues from the jewish leaders' insults. Otherwise, why would a king be able to save himself from crucifixion any more than any other person?

vs 38

Interestingly, in the KJV it says "in Greek, Latin and Hebrew" but doesn't make any mention of that in the NIV or the NASB.

vs 39

You know you're pretty low when you're being mocked by other people who are being crucified.

vs 40-41

Apparently, this second criminal doesn't have any problem with being crucified - he thinks it's a fair cop for him and the other criminal. I've never noticed that before.

I think the comment he makes about fearing God and being under the same sentence is basically pointing out to the guy that he is also being crucified, and he's obviously going to have his own stuff to answer for, because he's some sort of criminal. Is he really wanting to combat that by swearing at Jesus in his last breaths?

vs 42

The second guy wants to try a different tac completely. He believes that this can't be the end for the messiah, and so instead requests that Jesus remember him when everything is fulfilled. What had he done to deserve being remembered? He had stood up for Jesus in the face of accusation from a crucified man. But really, that's enough. And he had hope. Even if he thought that Jesus being the messiah was a last ditch attempt, well, he was pretty much at the last ditch.

vs 43

Jesus gives him some extra hope, too, with this promise. Now, the guy has to show some real faith, and believe Jesus' words.

vs 44

All I can say about this verse is woo to the TNIV! Someone finally translated this into normal times. Good stuff! I know there are problems about whether it's Jewish timing or Roman timing or something, but how is your average pew sitter meant to make that decision? I'd rather a group of highly qualified translators and scholars made it for me.

What it does show is that Jesus has been tried, sent around Jerusalem to Herod, back to Pilate, tried some more, Pilate has summonsed the people, has talked to them, and Jesus has finally been led up to the Skull place, and it's only midday. What a day!