Luke 23:48 kjv
And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
Luke 23:48 nkjv
And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.
Luke 23:48 niv
When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away.
Luke 23:48 esv
And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.
Luke 23:48 nlt
And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow.
Luke 23 48 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lk 18:13 | But the tax collector... would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast... | Example of beating breast as a sign of repentance and humility. |
| Zech 12:10 | ...they will look on Me whom they have pierced, and they will mourn for Him... | Prophecy of future national mourning and repentance for the crucified Messiah. |
| Rev 1:7 | Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him... and all the tribes of the earth will wail... | Eschatological fulfillment of mourning for the Returning Lord. |
| Jer 31:19 | For after I turned back, I repented; And after I was instructed, I smote on my thigh... | Similar bodily gesture expressing deep regret and repentance. |
| Eze 21:12 | Cry and wail, son of man, for it is against My people... therefore strike your thigh. | Divine instruction to express deep anguish, signaling judgment or sorrow. |
| Isa 32:12 | Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine... | Lamentation over impending judgment or desolation. |
| Joel 2:12-13 | "...return to Me with all your heart... Rend your heart and not your garments." | Call to inner repentance beyond outward signs of sorrow. |
| Acts 2:37 | Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said... "What shall we do?" | Public conviction leading to inquiry and potential repentance. |
| Matt 27:54 | Now when the centurion and those with him... saw the earthquake and what had happened, they were greatly afraid... | Reaction of fear and recognition of Jesus' divinity by observers of crucifixion. |
| Mk 15:39 | And when the centurion, who stood facing Him, saw that in this way He breathed His last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" | A pagan's declaration of faith witnessing Christ's death. |
| Lk 23:47 | Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, "Certainly this man was innocent." | Luke's specific centurion reaction immediately preceding verse 48. |
| Lk 23:27 | And there followed Him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting Him. | Other groups lamenting Jesus during His passion, showing diverse reactions. |
| Gen 37:29 | When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes. | Example of outward signs of extreme grief or distress. |
| Job 1:20 | Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. | Physical acts expressing grief, combined with worship or submission. |
| Lam 2:10 | The elders of the daughter of Zion sit on the ground, they are silent... they have thrown dust on their heads... | Extreme public expression of sorrow and mourning. |
| Matt 27:45 | Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. | One of the "things done" that contributed to the crowd's reaction. |
| Lk 23:45 | while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. | Another supernatural event, signifying divine judgment and new access to God. |
| Psa 35:13-14 | ...I made sackcloth my clothing; I humbled my soul with fasting... I went about as though grieving for my mother. | Poetic expression of profound personal and empathetic sorrow. |
| Lk 13:34 | O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered... | Jesus' own lament over Jerusalem's refusal to recognize Him. |
| Jn 12:32 | "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." | Jesus' prophecy that His crucifixion would attract people. |
| Isa 53:4-5 | Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. | Prophetic description of the Suffering Servant whose death causes realization and atonement. |
| Rom 11:25-26 | A partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved... | Broad biblical theme of future national recognition and lament. |
| 2 Cor 7:10 | For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation... | Connects grief with a saving repentance. |
Luke 23 verses
Luke 23 48 Meaning
Luke 23:48 describes the public reaction of the general crowds immediately after Jesus’ death on the cross. Witnessing the spectacle, and particularly the profound "things that were done" such as the darkness and the torn temple veil, these multitudes expressed intense sorrow, remorse, and anguish by physically beating their breasts. This public display of lament signified deep emotional impact and, in many contexts, repentance or acknowledgment of guilt. Following this spontaneous outburst of grief, they dispersed from the crucifixion site.
Luke 23 48 Context
Luke 23:48 is situated within Luke’s narrative of Jesus’ crucifixion, immediately following His death and the accompanying miraculous signs. Verses 44-46 describe the three hours of darkness over the land, the tearing of the temple veil, and Jesus’ final words, culminating in His death. Verse 47 then recounts the Roman Centurion's declaration of Jesus' innocence (or righteousness), often understood as a confession of faith or profound recognition of Jesus’ true nature. Against this backdrop, verse 48 presents the response of the larger populace, the "multitudes," who had gathered as spectators for the execution. This contrasts sharply with their earlier shouts for crucifixion (Lk 23:21) and mockery (Lk 23:35-37). Their physical act of striking their breasts aligns with cultural practices of profound lamentation and repentance within the Jewish world, suggesting a collective shift from callousness or curiosity to deep remorse or awe in the face of such overwhelming divine witness. They then left, indicating a profound and disturbing experience.
Luke 23 48 Word analysis
And all the multitudes (kai pantes hoi ochloi):
- kai: "and," linking this public reaction directly to the preceding events of Jesus' death and the divine signs.
- pantes: "all," emphasizing the widespread nature of the reaction, suggesting it encompassed the entire gathered populace, not just a few individuals.
- hoi ochloi: "the crowds" or "the throngs," denoting the general populace who had gathered to witness the crucifixion, distinct from specific groups like the religious leaders or the disciples. This signifies a broad societal response.
that came together (hoi synparagenomenoi):
- synparaginomai: "to come alongside together," "to gather at." It indicates they had specifically assembled at this location for the public spectacle, not merely passing by.
to that sight (pros ten theōrian tautēn):
- theōria: "a viewing," "spectacle," "contemplation." Refers to the public event of the crucifixion. They were initially spectators, observing the grim display.
when they beheld (theōrēsantes):
- theōreō: "to gaze at," "to observe with careful attention," "to contemplate." This signifies a more profound and active observation than mere passive seeing. They were deeply attentive to what transpired.
the things that were done (ta genomena):
- ginomai: "to come into being," "to happen," "to be accomplished." This refers not just to Jesus’ physical death but encompasses the supernatural phenomena surrounding it, particularly the darkness and the tearing of the temple veil, which profoundly impacted their understanding of the event.
smote their breasts (typtontes ta stēthē autōn):
- typtō: "to strike," "to beat." A forceful, repetitive physical action.
- stēthos: "breast" or "chest." This gesture was a culturally recognized and potent outward manifestation of deep inner anguish, intense grief, distress, lamentation, and often, self-condemnation or repentance (cf. Lk 18:13). It symbolizes profound emotional shock and possibly the realization of the horrific nature of the deed or the victim's true identity.
and returned (hypekaistrephon):
- hypostrephō: "to turn back," "to go back," "to return (home)." Their immediate departure indicates the overwhelming nature of what they had witnessed. The scene became unbearable or prompted a need for solitary reflection, a stark contrast to lingering for further spectacle.
"And all the multitudes that came together to that sight": This phrase emphasizes the extensive public audience and their initial purpose—to observe an execution—setting the stage for a universally impacting event.
"when they beheld the things that were done": This highlights that their reaction was provoked not by just Jesus' death, but by a careful observation of all the supernatural events and profound circumstances that transpired, indicating a recognition of divine significance in the spectacle.
"smote their breasts, and returned": This pair of actions strongly conveys deep, spontaneous remorse and distress, followed by a swift withdrawal. The immediate physical expression of grief combined with leaving the scene underscores the overwhelming nature of their conviction, showing a marked change from their initial disposition.
Luke 23 48 Bonus section
- The dramatic shift in the crowds’ behavior—from taunting to public lament—serves as a powerful testimony to the truth and divine nature revealed in Jesus' crucifixion.
- This verse subtly highlights divine action even in profound human depravity, indicating that God speaks through signs, circumstances, and the very death of His Son, drawing a response from even unexpected sources.
- While not explicitly stated as conversion, this deep emotional response opened the door for potential later understanding and acceptance of the Gospel, preparing hearts that might otherwise have remained hardened.
- This act foreshadows the call to repentance preached by the apostles (Acts 2:37) which would prick hearts and lead to conversion.
Luke 23 48 Commentary
Luke 23:48 reveals the transformative power of Christ's suffering, demonstrating its immediate and profound impact even on a largely indifferent or hostile public. The general "multitudes," who perhaps days earlier shouted for His crucifixion, witnessed not merely an execution, but supernatural cosmic signs (darkness, torn veil) coinciding with Jesus’ final moments. This culmination moved them beyond casual observation to deep internal conviction. Their unified act of "smiting their breasts" signifies a public, communal expression of profound grief, shock, and potentially a dawning realization of guilt or divine judgment. This gesture, rooted in Jewish lament traditions, parallels the repentant tax collector, suggesting a movement toward humility and remorse. Their subsequent and immediate "return" signifies that the scene was no longer a spectacle for morbid curiosity but a weighty, convicting event that demanded a withdrawal, carrying a new burden of understanding. This verse provides an early, though unarticulated, echo of the eventual global recognition and mourning for "Him whom they have pierced," demonstrating that Christ's passion had the power to elicit repentance from diverse groups of onlookers.