Summary
When the Romans execute JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity. More, he goes to his death comforting others and continuing to be a source of salvationSalvation can mean saved from something (deliverance) or for something (redemption). Paul preached that salvation comes through the death of Christ on the cross which redeemed sinners from death and for a grace-filled life. More. He dies after reciting part of PsalmA psalm is a song of praise. In the Old Testament 150 psalms comprise the psalter, although some of the psalms are laments and thanksgivings. In the New Testament early Christians gathered to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. More 31, expressing his faith in God’s good care.
Analysis
Luke’s description of Jesus’ crucifixion is distinctive among the four biblical Gospels. While the narrative does not try to hide the horrors of crucifixion, it nevertheless presents Jesus dying in as dignified a way as he might, continuing to offer salvation to others and to trust God to the end.
In the final scene of Jesus’ trial before Pontius PilateThe Roman governor who condemned Jesus to death. More (LukeThe "beloved physician" and companion of Paul. More 23:13-25), a nondescript group referred to as “the people” joins with the Jerusalem priestly aristocracy to urge Pilate to crucify Jesus. Once Jesus is on his way to crucifixion, however, Luke is more specific about distinguishing between the leaders and the general public (“the people”) in Jerusalem. For one thing, many women who watch Jesus process to his death express notable grief, but Jesus takes care to comfort and warn them. He says, in effect, that things will get worse. If this is how he is treated, imagine what may happen to others.
Jesus also asks God to forgive his executioners, although it is uncertain whether verse 34 was an original part of Luke’s Gospel or added by someone else at a later date, perhaps to make a connection between Jesus’ death and Stephen’s death in the Acts of the Apostles (see Acts 7:60). In any case, as Jesus dies, “the people” watch while “the leaders” mock him. Even one of the men crucified next to him derides him until the second man with him asks Jesus to remember him. Jesus’ reply, “Today you will be with me in paradise” extends a promise of salvation to him.
Multiple signs accompany Jesus’ death without Luke providing any comments on their causes or significance. The curtain in the Jerusalem templeThe Jerusalem temple, unlike the tabernacle, was a permanent structure, although (like the tabernacle) it was a place of worship and religious activity. On one occasion Jesus felt such activity was unacceptable and, as reported in all four Gospels, drove from the temple those engaged... More, presumably the one that separated the HolyHoly is a term that originally meant set apart for the worship or service of God. While the term may refer to people, objects, time, or places, holiness in Judaism and Christianity primarily denotes the realm of the divine More of Holies—the innermost part of the temple from the places where the priests conducted sacrifices—becomes torn open. The sun goes dark for a time. At last Jesus recites Psalm 31:5, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” As his life ends, he expresses confidence in God’s care. Something about the way Jesus dies prompts a Roman centurionA centurion was a Roman officer who commanded a military unit made up of one hundred men. Jesus healed a centurion's servant, and a centurion, at Jesus' crucifixion, acclaimed him to be God's Son. More on the scene to praise God and declare that Jesus was “innocent” (“just” or “righteousA righteous person is one who is ethical and faithful to God's covenant. Righteousness in the Old Testament is an attitude of God; in the New Testament it is a gift of God through grace. In the New Testament righteousness is a relationship with God... More” are also possible translations). This is probably not a statement about the injustice of Jesus’ rigged trial as much as it is a statement about Jesus’ obvious virtue, demonstrated when he dies in such a noble way, from a Roman point of view. Something about his faithful, honorable manner of death makes the centurion see things in a whole new light.
Jesus’ death unleashes lament among the crowd who watch him die, for they leave there “beating their breasts” in agony. The implication is that everyone has just witnessed something horrible. Of course any crucifixion is horrible, but the death of the MessiahThe Messiah was the one who, it was believed, would come to free the people of Israel from bondage and exile. In Jewish thought the Messiah is the anticipated one who will come, as prophesied by Isaiah. In Christian thought Jesus of Nazareth is identified... More leaves those who observe it in despair.
