Luke 23:51 kjv
(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.
Luke 23:51 nkjv
He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.
Luke 23:51 niv
who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God.
Luke 23:51 esv
who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God.
Luke 23:51 nlt
but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.
Luke 23 51 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph of Arimathea & Burial | ||
| Mt 27:57-60 | When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph...asked for the body of Jesus. | Joseph's parallel account & courageous request. |
| Mk 15:42-46 | Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Council, who was also himself waiting for the kingdom of God, came boldly...and asked for the body of Jesus. | Direct parallel, confirming his character. |
| Jn 19:38-42 | After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though secretly...asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. | Joseph as a (secret) disciple. |
| Is 53:9 | And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death. | Prophecy fulfilled by Joseph (rich man's tomb). |
| Sanhedrin's Action & Dissent | ||
| Lk 22:66-71 | When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together...And they said, "You are the Son of God, then?"...He answered, "You say that I am." And they cried out, "What further testimony do we need?..." | The Sanhedrin's decision to condemn Jesus. |
| Mk 14:64 | And they all condemned him as deserving death. | Majority vote against Jesus. |
| Acts 5:29 | But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men." | Principle of obedience to God over human decree. |
| Ex 1:17 | But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them. | Integrity in defying unjust human authority. |
| Waiting for the Kingdom of God | ||
| Lk 2:25 | Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon...and he was waiting for the consolation of Israel. | Simeon, a contemporary example of faithful waiting. |
| Lk 2:38 | And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. | Anna, another who awaited God's kingdom. |
| Mk 1:15 | "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." | Jesus' proclamation of the kingdom's arrival. |
| Lk 17:20-21 | The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you. | Kingdom's spiritual, present reality. |
| Mt 5:3 | "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." | Receptiveness to the Kingdom requires humility. |
| Dan 2:44 | And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed...it shall stand forever. | Old Testament prophecy of God's enduring kingdom. |
| Jn 3:3, 5 | "Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." ... "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." | Requirement for entering the Kingdom. |
| Tit 2:13 | waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. | Christian waiting for Christ's return and kingdom. |
| Heb 9:28 | so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time...to those who are eagerly waiting for him for salvation. | Eager expectation of the Savior. |
| God's Providence / Hidden Disciples | ||
| Lk 23:50 | Now there was a man named Joseph, from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man. | Preceding verse, further detailing Joseph's character. |
| Jn 12:42 | Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it. | Contrast with those who hid their faith; Joseph acted. |
| 1 Kin 19:18 | "Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal." | God always preserves a faithful remnant. |
| Phil 4:22 | All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. | God has people in unexpected places, even hostile ones. |
Luke 23 verses
Luke 23 51 Meaning
Luke 23:51 reveals two critical aspects of Joseph of Arimathea: his principled dissent from the Jewish council's condemnation of Jesus, and his devout spiritual posture, characterized by actively awaiting the Kingdom of God. This verse isolates him from the collective guilt of the Sanhedrin, underscoring his integrity and highlighting him as one prepared by God for a crucial role in the burial of Jesus, thereby fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating God's hidden providence.
Luke 23 51 Context
Luke chapter 23 details the events leading up to and including the crucifixion of Jesus. It begins with Jesus's trial before Pilate, Herod, and back to Pilate, culminating in the people's demand for Barabbas and Jesus's crucifixion. Verses 50-56 specifically focus on Joseph of Arimathea's pivotal role after Jesus's death. This particular verse (23:51) explains why Joseph was fit to take on this sensitive task: he had opposed the Sanhedrin's verdict against Jesus and was spiritually prepared, actively expecting God's divine reign. Historically, the Sanhedrin was the highest Jewish governing and judicial body, typically united in their decisions regarding religious law. Joseph's dissenting voice against the influential majority demonstrates remarkable conviction and moral courage within a deeply polarized society under Roman occupation, especially concerning matters of faith and messianic claims. His actions contradict the overwhelming public and council consensus.
Luke 23 51 Word analysis
- He: Referring to Joseph of Arimathea, whose description continues from the preceding verse (Lk 23:50), emphasizing his unique character amidst the Sanhedrin.
- had not consented: (Greek: ouk en synkatatetheimenos) Lit. "was not having laid down together," implying he did not share their opinion or vote. The verb synkatatithemai signifies agreeing with, voting for, or approving. This specific imperfect passive form highlights a continuous state of disagreement or his abstention during the actual decision-making process. This underscores his principled stand against the majority of the Sanhedrin.
- to their decision and action: (Greek: tē boulē kai tē praxei autōn)
- decision (boulē): refers to the counsel, plan, or resolution. In this context, it is the Sanhedrin's determination to condemn Jesus.
- and action (praxis): refers to the deed, activity, or execution of the plan. This includes sending Jesus to Pilate and prosecuting Him unto death. Joseph actively disassociated himself from both the intent and the process of condemning Jesus. This is a crucial distinction, separating him morally and spiritually from the council's culpability.
- and he was from Arimathea: Specifies Joseph's geographical origin. Arimathea was likely Ramathaim-Zophim, Samuel's hometown (1 Sam 1:1, 19). Its precise location is debated but it was a city in Judea.
- a city of the Jews: Clarifies the nature and location of Arimathea. It designates Arimathea as a Jewish city, likely within Judea, affirming Joseph's Jewish identity and roots, important given his role in the Sanhedrin. Some interpretations highlight its distinctiveness from Gentile areas or signify it as a prominent Jewish center.
- who was waiting for: (Greek: hos kai prosdecheto) This phrase identifies Joseph as a spiritually prepared individual. The verb prosdechomai signifies eagerly and patiently awaiting, expecting, or welcoming. It conveys a disposition of active, anticipatory hope, rather than passive waiting. The particle kai here can emphasize this anticipation.
- the kingdom of God: The central theme of Jesus's preaching. For Joseph, this "waiting" indicates he had an openness to God's divine reign and its breaking into human history, recognizing Jesus as the one ushering it in. This expectation suggests a spiritual understanding of the Messiah's kingdom, rather than solely a political or military one, setting him apart from many contemporaries and the Sanhedrin itself. His expectation made him receptive to Jesus, despite Jesus's crucifixion.
Luke 23 51 Bonus section
Luke, being meticulous, specifically provides details about Joseph's character and disposition (Lk 23:50-51) before detailing his actions (Lk 23:52ff), highlighting Joseph's moral integrity and spiritual readiness. This contrasts sharply with the fearful or faithless reactions of other known disciples (apart from John) around the time of the crucifixion. Joseph, a public figure on the very council that condemned Jesus, steps forward courageously when Jesus's own disciples had scattered, demonstrating that God can raise up instruments of His will from any quarter. His character is presented as a counter-narrative to the Sanhedrin's general culpability. Furthermore, the explicit mention of his dissent indicates that not every single member of the Sanhedrin agreed, challenging the monolithic view of their complicity and providing a glimpse into the diverse beliefs even among the Jewish leadership. His willingness to act publicly, albeit belatedly for Jesus's defense, contrasts with others among the authorities who believed but remained secret (Jn 12:42), highlighting Joseph’s courageous step of faith post-crucifixion.
Luke 23 51 Commentary
Luke 23:51 presents Joseph of Arimathea as an individual of remarkable moral fortitude and spiritual discernment within the corrupt system of the Jewish Sanhedrin. His explicit refusal to consent to the Sanhedrin's condemnation and actions against Jesus distinguishes him fundamentally from the majority who orchestrated Christ's death. This verse provides the essential backstory for his subsequent courageous act of requesting Jesus's body from Pilate, which would have put his reputation and position at risk by associating with a crucified 'criminal'. Joseph's "waiting for the kingdom of God" is key; it implies a deep piety and an alignment with God's redemptive purposes, preparing his heart to recognize and receive Jesus, even when Jesus appeared defeated. This internal readiness made him a faithful servant available to God at a pivotal moment in salvation history, illustrating that God always reserves for Himself a faithful remnant, even within unexpected or hostile environments, capable of demonstrating profound courage and loyalty when others falter. Joseph’s example teaches us the importance of individual integrity against societal pressure and the value of a heart prepared for God’s redemptive work.