King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Chapters: Luke 23-24
Message: Luke: Christ is Crucified
Hello My Friend,
As we continue in the reading of the Gospels, we learn that salvation truly is granted by the grace of God through ones faith in the sinless death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Even if the only thing we know is that Jesus sacrificed His life to save ours, that is all we need to know, [Romans 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.]
I happened to read this from Charles Spurgeon as I began my study, [How are they his? By his own sovereign choice. He chose them, and set his love upon them. This he did altogether apart from any goodness in them at the time, or any goodness which he foresaw in them. He had mercy on whom he would have mercy, and ordained a chosen company unto eternal life; thus, therefore, are they his by his unconstrained election. They are not only his by choice, but by purchase. He has bought and paid for them to the utmost farthing, hence about his title there can be no dispute. Not with corruptible things, as with silver and gold, but with the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord’s portion has been fully redeemed.] In reference to this verse, [Deuteronomy 32:9 For the LORD’S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.]
Think about it, Jesus purchased our soul with His very own blood so why would He not claim us as one of His own. I think I remember Jesus saying, [John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.]
Who are the ones that Jesus chooses? Those who not only believe in all that He is, but receive Him as their Saviour. This is not rocket science, Jesus, knows if we are going to truly believe in Him, but we must come to Him first, otherwise, there is no salvation. Now, Luke, gives his account of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Luke’s account differs in that one, he was not one of the twelve disciples, yet still witnessed what happened, and two, he shows the human side of Jesus and actually gives more detail into what took place when the elders brought Jesus to Pilate the first time.
[Luke 23:1-5 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. 3 And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it. 4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. 5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.]
So, this actually took place right after He was captured and the chief priests and scribes charged Him with death because He called Himself the Son of God. Matthew and Mark’s account describes the second time that Jesus stands before him. We will see from Luke, that Pilate tried to avoid this entire situation the whole time because as soon as he heard that Jesus was from Galilee, he sent him over to Herod, who was sort of the mayor. I cannot say that I blame him for wanting nothing to do with this. I would not want to stand there and tell an innocent man that he must die over the envy of his very own people. Well, when Herod heard the news about Jesus, he could not wait to see Him.
[Luke 23:7-12 And 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. 9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. 11 And 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.]
What exactly did Herod expect to see Jesus do? Unloosen Himself from His shackles and strike them all down. While He could have very well done that, it was not His place to do so. This was seriously not the time for Jesus to be doing some kind of miracles at the expense of pleasing a foolish man who had John, the Baptist beheaded to please a woman. We find that it was Herod and his men that stripped Jesus of His clothes and mocked Him because He remained silent. Well, Pilate, thought that he was done with this and did not have to deal with sentencing an innocent man to death, but Herod wanted nothing to do with it either so he sent Him back to Pilate. And once again, he tried to avoid sentencing Him to death.
[Luke 23:14-18,20-21 Said 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: 15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. 16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him. 17 (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.) 18 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: 20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. 21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.]
Pilate, tried to convince the people to let Jesus go three times, but they got louder and louder and therefore, he had no choice, but to let Him go into their hands. As Jesus is being led to Calvary, Luke records something else, Jesus speaking to the crowd as they cry for Him. I can only imagine what the crowd sounded like, one side cheering that Jesus was about to die and the other lamenting over it.
[Luke 23:22-25 And 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. 23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. 24 And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. 25 And 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.]
Had Pilate let Him go two things would have happened, one; prophecy would have been altered and we would still be sacrificing animals to God. And two; the mob would have come after him. Nevertheless as the ones who were lamenting over Him, Jesus actually spoke to them, [Luke 23:27-31 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. 28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. 29 For, 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. 30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. 31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?]
Today, we are seeing a massive increase of abortion, sterilization, and altering of ones gender. When human life itself is threatened you know we have a problem. What do these fools think that they are going to accomplish? Live forever while everyone who does not agree with them dies? That is exactly what they are trying to do. They are trying to play God, and all has Satan’s name written all over it as he is the one who started that, [Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!]
Think about what Jesus is saying in regards to the green tree, if they killed Him, they will definitely kill anyone who follows Him, especially if they are faithful. Remember what He said, [John 15:20-21 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep your’s also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.]
It is interesting to read how each one of the accounts given of Christ’s crucifixion gives us a little more insight as to what took place and how it all unfolded. We now come to Calvary, where they nailed Jesus to the cross and placed Him right between the two men.
[Luke 23:32-37 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. 33 And 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. 35 And 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. 36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, 37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.]
These men thought that they were not only getting rid of the man that cause such a disturbance in their cause, but helping God by killing this blasphemer, whom they also at one point accused Him of being the son of Satan himself. Remember what Jesus said, the only ones who will never be forgiven are those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit, which is what all of them were doing, [Mark 3:28-29 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:]
Remember what Jesus said, the only ones who will never be forgiven are those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit, which is what all of them were doing, [Mark 3:28-29 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:]
Calvary, is another name for Golgotha, it is the Latin translation for the place of skulls, both of the men hanging there with Jesus were mocking Him also, but one of them had a change of heart, [Luke 23:39-43 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.]
There it is right there, proof that the only thing that you need to be saved from condemnation is by believing in Christ’s sinless death on the cross to save you from condemnation. This guy did not get the opportunity to change his life around, his soul was at stake here, he took the high ground and Jesus saved him right there. Jesus gave him the full assurance that he would be with Him as soon as he had closed his eyes in death. The same is true for all who come to Him, [Romans 10:8-10 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.]
Now, Jesus, and these men have been hanging there for three hours, then all of a sudden at noon the entire earth became dark and for three hours, it remained that way. While the other Gospels account that before Jesus died, He said, [Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?] which means, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Luke, adds that He something else just before He died.
[Luke 23:44-49 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 And 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. 47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. 48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. 49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.]
Jesus, proclaimed the very words once spoken by David himself, [Psalms 31:5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.] Jesus, reminds us all that only God is the giver and taker of life and that all souls belong to Him. This actually fits in perfect about what Jesus said in regards to being born again, [John 3:6-8 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.]
Even though the disciples scattered when Jesus was captured, they still watched what was going on from afar, they too feared for their lives, but right now were grieving the loss of their dear Master, Teacher, and Friend. Meanwhile many of the Romans believed, and yet most of the Jews among them boasted as they watched Jesus hanging their dead. They were actually proud of the fact that they killed the very Messiah they had hoped would come to save them, but there were a few Jews who did believe, Nicodemus was one of them as well as Joseph of Arimathaea, who was a member of the Sanhedrim. He is the one who gave the tomb that he had reserved for himself for Jesus to be buried in.
[Luke 23:50-56 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 Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. 53 And 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. 54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. 55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. 56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.]
Even though they had been observing the Passover in which all the days were called Sabbath high days, in which they would not do any servile work, but they were not as strict as the actual Sabbath. Since the ladies were not allowed to do any work on the Sabbath they prepared the spices that were used to embalm a persons body when they returned home with the intent to go the tomb after the Sabbath, which would be a Sunday. That morning, the ladies could not wait to get to the tomb, in fact, they were up before the crack of dawn to get there.
[Luke 24:1-6 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,]
Luke’s account shows that there were two angels, but I love how it is worded and the angel asks them why they seek the living among the dead. This makes me think about what Jesus said, [Mark 12:26-27 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.]
Every, saved born again person from Adam, to the man next to Jesus on the cross, to all of us today are among the living who will not only see Jesus when our souls go to heaven once we take our last breath in our bodies, we will also be resurrected just as Jesus was. While it was already enough that Jesus gave his life to save our souls, He took it a step further by resurrecting so that we might follow along with Him. Remember, we are all a reflection of Christ, [Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.]
After the angel spoke to the ladies they did remember what Jesus said to them, and ran to the disciples and well, they did not get the warmest reception, [Luke 24:8-12 And they remembered his words, 9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. 12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.]
Who would actually believe such a story? I will tell you who, those who believe in Christ. Can you imagine the way they looked at them? Peter, ran to the tomb only to discover that Jesus was not in there, in fact, no one was there. Well, that left them all scratching their heads, they even started talking about it.
[Luke 24:13-18 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?]
Here are these men walking along talking about everything that happened the last three days and here comes Jesus, but they were so confused that they did not even realize that it was Him. I love how Jesus follows along for a moment as if He did not know what they were talking about.
[Luke 24:19-23 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.]
Jesus, was actually trying to get them to realize that this is exactly what He was talking to them about prior to His being captured. Yes, they were in much grief still at the thought of losing their beloved Christ, but their grief blinded them from seeing that He was right in front of them, in fact, they were with Him most of the day before they discovered Him. And that is why he goes on to call them fools.
[Luke 24:25-31 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.]
Can you imagine what they thought when He just vanished? However, that was when they realized that it was Jesus. How would you like a history lesson from Jesus Himself? Well, when you stop to think about it, He does the same thing to us whenever our faith is clouded. Our faith tends to play tricks on us sometimes as we forget those promises God makes when we do not quite understand what is going on. However, that is what grace is for, eventually, Jesus opens our hearts and minds to see that He has been right in front of us all along. That is exactly what these men were trying to figure out.
[Luke 24:32-37 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. 36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.]
By the way, these were not the Apostles who walked with Jesus the entire time, however, there were just as slow of heart as the others. As soon as the men came to terms with what Jesus said, they ran to the others to tell them that they saw Him but were quite disturbed. However, Jesus showed up and well, they were so scared that they thought they saw a ghost. He even had to convince the Apostles that He was flesh and bones and not a spirit, in fact, He even ate with them.
[Luke 24:38-44 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. 44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.]
I would have all kinds of questions, not about it being Him, but what He experienced. They were still a little confused as to what was going on so Jesus calmed their fears by reminding them of the Scriptures, [Luke 24:45-51 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.]
It does not matter how strong our faith or how much we have studied the Scriptures, there is always something new to discover. Jesus, went through the Scriptures, showing them every passage that spoke about His virgin birth, death, burial, and resurrection, and after their faith was renewed that was when He revealed who He was. Jesus, also reminded them of the promise of the Holy Spirit yet to be fulfilled that will take place once He left, [John 14:26-27 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You, for loving me and not giving up on me, for Your faith in me, and giving me a heart that believes in the Gospel. It took some time, but You knew exactly when my eyes would open to the truth about Your Son, and I would know how to accept Him as my Saviour. Thank You, for all the trials and tribulations that You got me through so that I could truly understand that Christ is my redeemer and the only one who could ever save me from my sin. I am proof that You can save anyone who has faith in Your Son, we just need to believe in all that HE is. I love You and pray this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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