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John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 23:1-56

Trial Before Pilate and Herod. The Crucifixion and Burial1-5. The trial before Pilate begins (Matthew 27:1-2, Matthew 27:11-14; Mark 15:1-5; John 18:28-38). See on Mt and Jn.6-12. Trial before Herod (peculiar to Lk). ’By sending Jesus to Herod the clever Roman gained two ends at once. First, he got rid of the business which was imposed on him, and then he took the first step towards a reconciliation with Herod (Luke 23:12). The cause of their quarrel had probably been some conflict of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 23:33

(33) The place, which is called Calvary.—On the place and name, see Note on Matthew 27:33. As a matter of translation, it would clearly have been better either to give the Greek form (Cranion), or its meaning (= “skull”) in English. The Vulgate, however, had given Calvarium, and that word had taken so strong a hold on men’s minds, that it was apparently thought better, as in all the English versions, to retain it here. It is not without interest to note that the name which more than any other... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 23:34

(34) Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.—Again, the silence is broken, not by the cry of anguish or sigh of passionate complaint, but by words of tenderest pity and intercession. It is well, however, that we should remember who were the primary direct objects of that prayer. Not Pilate, for he knew that he had condemned the innocent; not the chief priests and scribes, for their sin, too, was against light and knowledge. Those for whom our Lord then prayed were clearly the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 23:35

(35) And the rulers also with them derided him.—St. Luke uses the generic term for the members of the Sanhedrin, whom St. Matthew particularises as “chief priests, scribes, and elders.” The verb is the same as in 16:14, and implies the curled lip and distended nostril of scorn.He saved others.—The words were, like those of Caiaphas (John 11:50), an unconscious prophecy, in part also an admission of the work that He had done, as in the case of Lazarus, in rescuing others from the power of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 23:36

(36) Offering him vinegar.—Not even the prayer for their forgiveness had touched the hearts of the soldiers. But still, they knew not what they did, and did but follow, after their nature, in the path in which others led the way. Possibly too, rude as their natures were, there was a touch of rough kindliness mingling in their mockery, as shown in the offer of the vinegar, or sour wine, which they had brought for their own use (see Note on Matthew 27:48)—unless, indeed, we suppose the refinement... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 23:39

(39) And one of the malefactors.—The incident that follows is singularly characteristic of St. Luke. If we ask how he came to know what the other Gospels pass over, we may, I think, find his probable informants once more in the devout women who followed Jesus to the place of Crucifixion, and who stood near enough to the cross to hear what was then spoken. The word for “hanged” is used by St. Luke (Acts 5:30; Acts 10:39) and St. Paul (Galatians 3:13) as applied to crucifixion.Railed on... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 23:40

(40) But the other answering rebuked him.—On the legends connected with the penitent thief, see Notes on Matthew 27:44. Dysmas, or Titus, as they name him, had once before looked on the face of the Christ. He had been one of a band of robbers that attacked the holy travellers in their flight from Bethlehem, and had then pleaded for their lives. The Virgin Mother had blessed him. The child Christ had foretold his suffering and his repentance. Now, as he gazed on the face of the divine Sufferer,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 23:41

(41) This man hath done nothing amiss.—The confident assertion may have rested on previous knowledge of our Lord’s life and character, or on some report that had reached him on his way to Golgotha, or on Pilate’s confession that he found no fault in Him. read more

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