The bull of St Luke

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

THE PASSION ACCORDING TO LUKE

The Way of the Cross: Lk 23,26-43

In verse 26 Jesus is led away while in verse 33 he arrives at the place of execution. That gives us two parts for our reading:

The reference to the sixth hour and darkness in verse 44 then begins a new scene within the passion story as we saw in the overview.

Read now from the previous verse 23,25 through to 23,44 and compare with Mk 15,15-33. Note what Luke has done, what he has added and what he has left out.

Have a look at my response.

The carrying of the cross: 23,26-32

How has Luke in verse 26 altered Mk 15,21? How does this reflect 9,23?

The people then reappear in verse 27; look at Mk 15,21-22 and note how these verses are unique to Luke.
What are these people doing? See 9,23 again.
Luke now mentions a group of women who are lamenting and wailing as in Micah 1,8-9. We can note the contrast with the preceeding scene.

Jesus replies with a short speech in 23,28-31, addressing the women as "daughters of Jerusalem". For the significance of this expression, see for example: Isaiah 16,1, Jeremiah 6,2 or Song 2,7. See also earlier in the Gospel, 13,34-35 and 19,41-44.

For "blessed" in verse 29, see 11,27 & Psalm 1,1. See Hosea 9,16-17 or 10.7-8 as background.

How do you understand the saying in verse 31?

Finally, in 23,32, we are told that there are two others being taken out with Jesus for execution. Compare Mk 15,27, why do you think Luke uses a different word? The NAB for Mk 15,27 gives the clue. The background here would be Is 53,12.

Take a look now at my response.

Jesus on the cross: 23,33-43

The Greek for "skull" gives us the English word "cranium". See Matthew 27,33. Note the simple statement of crucifixion. Where is Jesus? See 1 Kings 22,19.

Verse 34 is missing from many manuscripts; note its awkward positioning. See 11,4 or 6,35-36 for its relevance in this situation.
Casting lots for Jesus' garments: see Ps 22,18.

Verse 35 makes a contrast between the people (23,27) their leaders. See Ps 22,7 and also Wisdom 2,19. What verb is here and repeated in verse 37? Messiah of God: see 9,20; chosen one: see 9,35.

There is more mocking in verse 36, which echoes 23,10. Where does this take place in the other Gospels (Mk 15,16-20)? What title is now used, repeated in verse 38? See 23,3. What is being implied here?

In verse 39, the mocking is taken a step further, as in Mk 15,32. Note how Luke has expanded Mark. What is said once again?

Verse 40 gives the rebuke of the first criminal by the second, recalling 17,3. "Fear of God" is a standard way of expressing a proper attitude towards God. See Ps 128,1 among many examples in the psalms and elsewhere. Verse 41 repeats a familiar theme.

"Remember" is a frequent invocation of God. For example, 1 Sam 1,11 or Job 14,12 or Jeremiah 15,15. See 9,23-27 as background.

Verse 43 is Jesus' reply, contrast 23,9 and the previous mocking. "Today", see 2,11 or 19,9. Note 23,35. For Paradise see Apoc 2,7 and Genesis 2,8-9.

Now consider the effect of Luke's changes to Mark.

Now take a look at my response.

We now continue to the climax of the passion with the death and burial of Jesus, Lk 23,44-56.