Luke 23:21 - but they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!”
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What does "Luke 23:21" mean?
The verse "but they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!”" from Luke 23:21 describes a pivotal moment in the Passion narrative where the crowd, incited by religious leaders, demands the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion. Here's a breakdown of its meaning and significance:
Context: Pilate, the Roman governor, is trying to release Jesus. He has questioned Jesus and found him innocent of any crime punishable by death under Roman law. Pilate, aware of the religious leaders' animosity towards Jesus, attempts to appease the crowd by offering to release Jesus as part of a Passover custom, or by flogging him.
"But they shouted": The word "but" indicates a rejection of Pilate's attempts to compromise or to release Jesus. The shouting suggests a collective, impassioned, and potentially manipulated response. The crowd is not calmly reasoned; they are whipped up into a frenzy.
"Crucify! Crucify him!": This is the key demand. Crucifixion was a brutal and humiliating form of execution reserved primarily for slaves, rebels, and enemies of the state. For the Jewish people, it was particularly abhorrent because Deuteronomy 21:23 stated, "anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse."
Meaning and Significance:
Rejection of Jesus: The cry demonstrates the crowd's complete rejection of Jesus as Messiah or King. They view him as a threat, a blasphemer, or a troublemaker worthy of the worst punishment.
Influence of Leaders: The Gospels suggest that the chief priests and elders had stirred up the crowd against Jesus. The people's sudden shift from initial admiration of Jesus (as seen during his triumphal entry into Jerusalem) to demanding his death is attributed to this manipulation.
Injustice: The verse highlights the injustice of Jesus's trial and condemnation. Pilate knows Jesus is innocent but gives in to the pressure from the crowd, prioritizing political expediency over justice.
Fulfillment of Prophecy: Some Christians believe this event fulfills Old Testament prophecies about the suffering servant (e.g., Isaiah 53).
Responsibility: The verse raises questions about collective responsibility. Who exactly constitutes "they"? Was it a small group of instigators, or did the majority of the crowd genuinely support the call for crucifixion? This is a point of ongoing debate and theological reflection.
A Paradox of Salvation: Christians view the crucifixion, while a horrific act of injustice, as central to God's plan for salvation. Through Jesus's death, they believe, humanity can be reconciled to God.
In essence, Luke 23:21 encapsulates a moment of intense drama, betrayal, and injustice, pivotal to the Christian narrative of the Passion. It highlights the rejection of Jesus, the power of mob mentality, and the tragic culmination of the events leading to his crucifixion.
Luke 23:21 - but they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!”
What does "Luke 23:21" mean?
The verse "but they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!”" from Luke 23:21 describes a pivotal moment in the Passion narrative where the crowd, incited by religious leaders, demands the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion. Here's a breakdown of its meaning and significance:
Context: Pilate, the Roman governor, is trying to release Jesus. He has questioned Jesus and found him innocent of any crime punishable by death under Roman law. Pilate, aware of the religious leaders' animosity towards Jesus, attempts to appease the crowd by offering to release Jesus as part of a Passover custom, or by flogging him.
"But they shouted": The word "but" indicates a rejection of Pilate's attempts to compromise or to release Jesus. The shouting suggests a collective, impassioned, and potentially manipulated response. The crowd is not calmly reasoned; they are whipped up into a frenzy.
"Crucify! Crucify him!": This is the key demand. Crucifixion was a brutal and humiliating form of execution reserved primarily for slaves, rebels, and enemies of the state. For the Jewish people, it was particularly abhorrent because Deuteronomy 21:23 stated, "anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse."
Meaning and Significance:
Rejection of Jesus: The cry demonstrates the crowd's complete rejection of Jesus as Messiah or King. They view him as a threat, a blasphemer, or a troublemaker worthy of the worst punishment.
Influence of Leaders: The Gospels suggest that the chief priests and elders had stirred up the crowd against Jesus. The people's sudden shift from initial admiration of Jesus (as seen during his triumphal entry into Jerusalem) to demanding his death is attributed to this manipulation.
Injustice: The verse highlights the injustice of Jesus's trial and condemnation. Pilate knows Jesus is innocent but gives in to the pressure from the crowd, prioritizing political expediency over justice.
Fulfillment of Prophecy: Some Christians believe this event fulfills Old Testament prophecies about the suffering servant (e.g., Isaiah 53).
Responsibility: The verse raises questions about collective responsibility. Who exactly constitutes "they"? Was it a small group of instigators, or did the majority of the crowd genuinely support the call for crucifixion? This is a point of ongoing debate and theological reflection.
A Paradox of Salvation: Christians view the crucifixion, while a horrific act of injustice, as central to God's plan for salvation. Through Jesus's death, they believe, humanity can be reconciled to God.
In essence, Luke 23:21 encapsulates a moment of intense drama, betrayal, and injustice, pivotal to the Christian narrative of the Passion. It highlights the rejection of Jesus, the power of mob mentality, and the tragic culmination of the events leading to his crucifixion.