JESUS’ DEATH

Passage: Luke 23:44-56

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.

The Burial of Jesus(L)

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God.(M) 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 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. 54 It was Preparation Day,(N) and the Sabbath was about to begin.

55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee(O) followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes.(P) But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.(Q)

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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.

Jesus Is Buried

50 (M)Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he (N)was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and (O)laid him in a tomb cut in stone, (P)where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of (Q)Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.[c] 55 (R)The women (S)who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and (T)prepared spices and ointments.

On the Sabbath they rested (U)according to the commandment.

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 23:44 That is, noon
  2. Luke 23:44 That is, 3 p.m.
  3. Luke 23:54 Greek was dawning
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

As Jesus hung, dying on a cross, the sun stopped shining. The physical world mourned the death of the Son of God as darkness covered the land from noon until three in the afternoon. The thick, heavy temple curtain, which symbolized sinful man’s separation from our Holy God, completely tore in two. Our sins separate us from God (Is 59:2), but Jesus took up all our sins in his body through his death (1 Pe 2:24). The tearing of the temple curtain meant Jesus’ work was complete. Finally, Jesus committed his spirit into Father’s hands and died.

Those who witnessed Jesus’ death had varied responses. A Roman centurion praised God and declared that Jesus was a righteous man. Most people who had gathered only beat their chests and went away after a while, treating the event as nothing more than a gruesome spectacle. But those who knew Jesus watched to the end. A Sanhedrin member named Joseph, who had not consented to Jesus’ execution, asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. He took down the body, wrapped it, and then placed the body in his own tomb.

Jesus died for our sins. Through Jesus, we are no longer separated from God. How will you respond to Jesus? Will you believe and receive his death for your sins?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for dying for us. I receive your death for my sins.

One Word: Jesus died for us