The bull of St Luke

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

THE PASSION ACCORDING TO LUKE

Death and Burial of Jesus: Lk 23,44-56

As we saw earlier, verse 44 opens with a note of the time, from the 6th to the 9th hour. The next mention of time is given after the sabbath rest, 24,1. It seems that the death (23,44-49) and burial (23,50-56) of Jesus are to be read together. Reflect on why the evangelist has linked the two in this way.

Death of Jesus: 23,44-49

Some translations stay with the literal "sixth to ninth hour" in verse 44, others update it to "noon until 3 o'clock". Either way, there was darkness for around three hours. Note how Luke has modified Mk 15,33.
The significance of darkness can be seen in 22,53. See also Joel 2,10; Amos 8,9.

The tearing of the veil of the Temple in verse 45 has been given both a positive and a negative meaning. Reflect upon this. Note how Luke has changed this tearing of the veil from Mark's version (Mk 15,38). Consider why; how might it form a pair with the darkness?

Jesus's last words in verse 46 come from Ps 31,5, a change from Ps 22,1 as in Mark (Mk 15,34). Consider the different attitudes behind these two last sentences, what is the message of the evangelist? How is God addressed? Look back to Jesus' first words in this Gospel (2,49). For Mark, note also Mk 14,36.

For the death of Jesus in verse 46b, make a contrast with the reactions in Mk 15,35-36.

Note the different exclamation by the centurion in verse 47 compared with Mk 15,39. Look back also to 2,39.
Many translations (NRSV, NAB) do not give the best translation for the centurion's acclamation. Look for example at Jeremiah 23,5 or Acts 3,13 to discover the Greek word.

The next reaction comes from the crowd. How is this different to "people" in verse 35? What were the crowd expecting? (NRSV has the right word) What was their reaction (see 18,13)?

Finally, in verse 49, the women from Galilee come on scene. They have been mentioned before (8,1-3), they reappear in verses 55-56 and they will be prominent in the next chapter (24,1-8). What is the importance of their presence, even from afar?

Time for my response.

Burial of Jesus: 23,50-56

Joseph of Arimathea is now introduced. All four Gospels tell us that he was responsible for the burial of Jesus, but describe him differently. Note what is distinctive about Luke's description of the man in verse 50-51. (See Mk 15,43; Mt 27,57; Jn 19,38).

At the beginning of the Gospel, we are told of a man named Zechariah. Look at 1,5-6 and compare Zechariah and Joseph. Look too at Simeon (2,25) in comparison with verse 51. Where does Joseph come from (in contrast to the women, verse 55).

Note that the comment in verse 51 is a contrast to 23,1.

All the Gospels agree he asked Pilate for the body. Why was this necessary? Note that Luke omits the comments in Mk 15,44-45.

A proper burial was important for Jews, see Tobit 1,17 and 2,3-8. What is special about the tomb and the timing, verses 53-54?

The women then reappear in verses 55-56 with the same introduction as verse 49. Verse 55 echoes verse 49. What are they doing in verse 55?

What does verse 56 indicate about their understanding at this stage? Look at the other Gospels to see that verses 55-56 are unique to Luke.
How does this recall the infancy narratives? See 2,22-24.25.37.

Finally, consider how Jesus' resting in the tomb recalls Genesis 2,2.

Now consider my response.

The tomb is not the end, the story continues. We now continue to our overview of chapter 24.