Luke 23:26-43
The King on the Cross
Read the passage
26As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene on his way in from the country, and they put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.
27A great number of people followed Him, including women who kept mourning and wailing for Him.
28But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
29Look, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore, and breasts that never nursed!’
30At that time ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’
31For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32Two others, who were criminals, were also led away to be executed with Jesus.
33When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left.
34Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.
35The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”
36The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine.
37“If You are the King of the Jews,” they said, “save Yourself!”
38Above Him was posted an inscription: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. “Are You not the Christ?” he said. “Save Yourself and us!”
40But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment?
41We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”
43And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
As the soldiers lead Jesus away, they seize Simon of Cyrene and put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus. A great number of people follow, including women who mourn and lament.
Jesus turns to the women and tells them not to weep for Him but for themselves and their children because days of judgment are coming. He is led out with two criminals to be crucified.
At the place called The Skull, the soldiers crucify Jesus with the criminals, one on His right and one on His left. Jesus asks the Father to forgive them because they do not know what they are doing. The rulers scoff, the soldiers mock Him, and an inscription calls Him the King of the Jews.
One criminal joins the mockery, but the other rebukes him. He says they are receiving what their deeds deserve, while Jesus has done nothing wrong. He asks Jesus to remember him when He comes into His kingdom.
Jesus promises that the man will be with Him in paradise that day. The people mocking Jesus demand that he save himself. Yet while remaining on the cross, he promises this guilty man life with him. The criminal has no opportunity to build a record that could repay his wrongs. He admits his guilt and entrusts his future to Jesus. The King's answer rests on his authority to give mercy, even here, even at the end of a life.
How We Know
Psalm 22:7–8 describes mockers challenging a sufferer's trust that God will deliver him, and verse 18 speaks of garments divided by lot. Luke records the rulers' taunts and the casting of lots for Jesus' garments. These are specific points of contact between the Psalm and the crucifixion account.
Questions
1 Who carries Jesus' cross?
AnswerSimon of Cyrene is seized by the soldiers and made to carry the cross behind Jesus.
2 What does Jesus say to the mourning women?
AnswerHe tells them not to weep for Him but for themselves and their children because days of judgment are coming.
3 What does Jesus ask the Father to do?
AnswerHe asks the Father to forgive those crucifying Him, saying they do not know what they are doing.
4 What does Jesus promise the repentant criminal?
AnswerHe promises that the criminal will be with Him in paradise that day. Mercy reaches him even at the end of his life.
What This Means for Us
Luke shows Jesus suffering unjustly while still praying for forgiveness. The forgiveness offered here comes from the innocent one enduring the cross. We receive it as a costly gift, with gratitude and an honest confession of our need.
The repentant criminal does not deny his guilt or demand a second chance on his own terms. He tells the truth and entrusts himself to Jesus. Families can practice that honesty without turning forgiveness into permission for continued harm.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, remember us in our guilt and teach us to tell the truth about harm. Make our household merciful without being naive, courageous without being cruel, and confident in the forgiveness You give. Amen.