Luke 23 44

Luke 23:44 kjv

And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

Luke 23:44 nkjv

Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

Luke 23:44 niv

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon,

Luke 23:44 esv

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,

Luke 23:44 nlt

By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock.

Luke 23 verses

Luke 23 44 Meaning

Luke 23:44 states that around noon, an unnatural darkness enveloped the whole land, persisting until three in the afternoon. This verse highlights a supernatural event occurring during the crucifixion of Jesus, signifying God's direct intervention and cosmic solemnity at the pivotal moment of His Son's atoning death. It marks a period of profound divine mystery, grief, and judgment, transforming an ordinary daytime into a profound sign of unprecedented cosmic significance.

Luke 23 44 Context

Luke 23 describes the Passion narrative, commencing with Jesus' trial before Pilate, His condemnation, and His journey to Golgotha where He is crucified alongside two criminals. Verses 33-43 detail Jesus' crucifixion, His prayer for His tormentors, the scorn of the religious leaders, and His dialogue with the penitent criminal. Luke 23:44-45 then highlights two immediate, supernatural signs accompanying Jesus' death: the sudden, profound darkness covering the land and the miraculous tearing of the temple veil. These events occur immediately preceding Jesus' final cry and death (v. 46), emphasizing the immense significance of His suffering and atonement. The historical-cultural context for the original audience, primarily Gentiles with some Jewish background, would recognize these events as divine interventions. Supernatural darkness, like the plagues in Egypt, was understood as a manifestation of divine power or judgment, distinct from natural phenomena. For those familiar with Old Testament prophecy, this event would strongly echo passages foretelling darkness at the "Day of the Lord," signifying God's solemn judgment and monumental shifts in His redemptive plan.

Luke 23 44 Word analysis

• It was now about noon: (ὡς - hōs - "about," ὥρα ἕκτη - hōra hektē - "sixth hour"). This precisely pinpoints the time to midday. In Roman timekeeping, the sixth hour was noon (12 PM). This detail establishes the startling nature of the event—darkness in the middle of the brightest part of the day, emphasizing its supernatural origin and ruling out a natural eclipse which cannot occur at a full moon (Passover was always celebrated at full moon).
• and darkness: (καὶ σκότος - kai skotos - "and darkness"). Skotos here denotes a profound, unusual absence of light. In biblical literature, darkness often symbolizes judgment, mourning, divine wrath, the absence of God's favor, or a hiding of His presence. This darkness was not merely a cloud cover but an overwhelming dimming of the sun's light.
• came over: (ἐγένετο - egeneto - "came into being," "happened"). This verb suggests an event that spontaneously occurred, initiated by an external force, rather than a gradual or natural process. It points to divine action.
• the whole land: (ἐφ' ὅλην τὴν γῆν - eph' holēn tēn gēn - "upon the whole earth" or "upon the whole land"). The Greek word gē (earth/land) can refer to the entire planet or, more commonly in a regional context, "the whole land of Judea/Israel." Given the local nature of the crucifixion event, it is most commonly understood to mean the region of Judea, though its cosmic significance is not diminished. The phrasing conveys a widespread, not isolated, phenomenon. This contrasts sharply with ordinary shadows, highlighting the miracle.
• until three in the afternoon: (ἕως ὥρας ἐνάτης - heōs hōras enatēs - "until the ninth hour"). This signifies a three-hour duration of profound darkness, from noon (sixth hour) to 3 PM (ninth hour). This period encapsulates the agonizing zenith of Jesus' suffering on the cross and culminates with His death, reinforcing the divine appointment of this specific time for the most profound sacrifice.

Luke 23 44 Bonus section

The sudden and widespread darkness is intimately connected with other supernatural occurrences during Jesus' crucifixion and death, most notably the tearing of the temple veil (Luke 23:45) and the centurion's confession (Luke 23:47). These signs collectively serve as irrefutable divine attestations to Jesus' true identity as the Son of God and the unparalleled significance of His death for sin. The darkness highlights the profound mystery of Christ's work on the cross, where the Light of the world willingly entered into a period of deep suffering, momentarily experiencing separation from the Father for the redemption of humanity. This event also resonates with the ancient pagan fear of celestial omens during the deaths of great men, yet here it is unequivocally presented as a divinely imposed sign rather than a mere superstition.

Luke 23 44 Commentary

Luke 23:44 recounts a truly extraordinary event—a midday darkness lasting for three hours during Jesus' crucifixion. This was not a typical solar eclipse, which is brief and impossible during Passover (full moon). Instead, it was a miraculous sign from God, signaling the gravity and cosmic significance of His Son's suffering. This darkness profoundly symbolizes God's wrath against sin being poured out upon Jesus, as He became sin for humanity. It may also represent God's hidden face or profound grief over the death of His beloved Son. Furthermore, it served as a prefiguring of the "Day of the Lord" often characterized by darkness in prophetic Old Testament texts, indicating judgment but also the commencement of a new era. This divinely orchestrated gloom underscored that this crucifixion was not merely a human execution, but a unique, universal spiritual event orchestrated by God for the salvation of humanity.