JESUS' DEATH

Passage: Luke 23:44-49

Key verse: 46

NIV

The Death of Jesus(A)

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon,(B) 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple(C) was torn in two.(D) 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice,(E) “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”[a](F) When he had said this, he breathed his last.(G)

47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God(H) and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts(I) and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee,(J) stood at a distance,(K) watching these things.

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 23:46 Psalm 31:5
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Death of Jesus

44 (A)It was now about the sixth hour,[a] and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,[b] 45 while the sun's light failed. And (B)the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, (C)calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, (D)into your hands I (E)commit my spirit!” And having said this (F)he breathed his last. 47 Now (G)when the centurion saw what had taken place, (H)he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home (I)beating their breasts. 49 And all (J)his acquaintances and (K)the women who had followed him from Galilee (L)stood at a distance watching these things.

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 23:44 That is, noon
  2. Luke 23:44 That is, 3 p.m.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. The hour of darkness (44-46)

The sun stopped shining from 12 noon to 3 p.m. on the day Jesus died. The light of life was extinguished by the sins of men. But Jesus did not doubt God's love even in the darkest hour. He committed his spirit to his Father God and breathed his last. The curtain that shut sinful men out from the presence of the Holy God was torn in two. Jesus' shed blood opened the way for sinners to go to God, be forgiven and be born again into his family.

2. The witnesses (47-49)

The centurion was a hardened soldier, and a Gentile--but when he saw what happened he praised God. He testified, 'Surely this was a righteous man.' Those who had come to mock or to sight-see beat their breasts and went away full of remorse. But those who believed in him watched and waited.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Jesus who shed his blood on the cross so that the way into your presence might be opened for me and for all sinners.

One Word: Jesus died for me