Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
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Disgust
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Fear
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Joy
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Sadness
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Analytical
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Confident
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Social Tone
Openness
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Conscientiousness
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Extraversion
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Agreeableness
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Anger
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From all appearances, it looked as if all the bold statements and amazing feats were empty words and actions.
Those who were charged with righteousness and justice were apparently going to make certain that everything was as it should be as they protected the citizens and their own skins.
By the control they exerted over this supposed leader, they would show the world who was in charge and who wasn’t.
Though it may have looked this way, this section of Scripture continues to show that they were merely tools in fulfilling the prophecy of the Old Testament.
Though they thought they were in charge of all that was happening, the King of the Jews, the Messiah, the Son of God was in absolute control.
In their efforts to rid themselves of Someone by making Him look guilty, He, was in fact, going to become guilty by taking upon Himself all of humanity’s sin.
Though humanity was completely guilty and deserving of death, Jesus would become sin for us so that we might be declared not guilty before God.
This all had to happen in order for Jesus to provide salvation to all who would believe in His Name.
In spite of what others may say about Jesus, He is the Lord of all.
The Destination - 23:32-33
It has been stated by many scholars that crucifixion is the most horrible and painful form of execution that humanity has ever created.
The location for this despicable act was known by many as The Skull.
Whether the location looks like a skull or whether it’s because there were skulls on the ground because of those who’d been crucified, we don’t really know.
The actual location of the spot is unknown.
The Aramaic word is Golgotha.
The Latin word is Calvaria, which is where we get the word for Calvary.
The Romans typically held crucifixions on an elevated site so that everyone passing would be able to see.
This was quite intentional so that everyone could realize what happened if you dared to go against Rome.
Luke is very intentional to point out the fact that Jesus was executed between two criminals.
This is also a reminder to us that prophecy is being fulfilled as seen in .
There are several scholars who suggest that these two criminals were partners with Barabbas in the revolt against Rome.
The Despisers - 23:34-39
In spite of the horrible things which had been done to Jesus and what was still in store for him, Jesus shows us no malice or anger.
Instead, we see the exact opposite.
Mercy offered (34a)
Jesus is heard to pray for all those involved in these horrible events.
Now obviously, we know that unless a person seeks forgiveness from God, that individual is not personally forgiven.
However, I’m convinced that God withheld His wrath until AD 70, which gave the nation plenty of time to repent and seek God’s forgiveness.
Think of it this way.
When someone wrongs you, the best thing to do is for you to forgive them.
What that does is free you and lets you know that you harbor no ill will towards them.
However, they cannot experience true forgiveness or freedom until they recognize the wrong they committed and seek forgiveness from you.
In other words, they are considered guilty of their offense until they have sought reconciliation.
Ignorance which can be corrected is inexcusable.
These people did not understand the implications and ramifications of what they were doing.
However, the individuals who were quite intentional, had all the information they needed from the Scriptures and the miracles.
Mocking (34b-39)
In these verses, we see horrible mocking.
It starts out by those who were responsible for His personal belongings to divide it up between themselves.
Again, this all is fulfilling the prophecies from the Old Testament.
We can assume from this that Jesus was naked when He was crucified which was an absolute insult to the dignity of Jesus.
Those in charge were doing all they could to attack Jesus from every possible perspective.
Let’s take a brief look at three different scenarios where the individuals were mocking Jesus and using a very similar phrase.
They all spoke of the supposed inability of Jesus to save Himself.
Implied is the fact that if He cannot save Himself, He certainly is unable to save humanity.
Rulers & salvation (35)
Verse 35 shows two groups mocking Jesus.
The general crowd that was what many of us would call “rubber-neckers,” you know, those people who slow down to look at a traffic accident.
They are just looking on, not bothering to step in to defend Him.
We don’t see them actively mocking Jesus; they’re guilty by their lack of doing anything.
Luke does not suggest that the crowds in general were not part of the whole mocking scene.
But then, you are treated to the hollow righteousness of the rulers.
Luke says they were sneering at Him.
The various definitions for sneering have within them the idea of contempt.
The Greek verb literally means to turn up one’s nose in derision.
Their comment is dripping with sarcasm and hatred.
The religious rulers knew that the Old Testament stated that anyone hanging on a tree or cross was cursed by God.
He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.
Pay close attention to this phrase because a form of it is shared two more times in this section.
He saved others; blet Him save Himself if this is the 1Christ of God, His Chosen One.”
b
1 I.e.
Messiah
New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), .
Soldiers & salvation (36-38)
The soldiers, those under the government of Rome, joined in this pitiful party.
Rather than simply doing their job, they chose to join in the mocking of Jesus.
As if they were showing compassion, they were offering Him sour wine.
This could have been a very common act of mercy, for this wine vinegar was a type of pain killer.
Or it could have been a further mockery as if this was royal wine they were giving to a supposed king.
Then they proceed to taunt and mock Him with the phrase where they would dare Him to save Himself.
The Roman government authorities had placed a very factual sign above Jesus, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
The other Gospels have the full inscription which stated, This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.
It’s basically Pilate’s way of having the last work against the Jewish leaders who had forced his hand to crucify an innocent man.
Normally, the actual charges would be written above.
The facts were right, but they didn’t go far enough nor deep enough.
Not only was Jesus their king, but He was the Savior.
However, if He would have saved Himself in the midst of this crucifixion, salvation could not have ever happened.
Jesus would have been able to save nobody had He saved Himself.
Criminal & Salvation (39)
The arrogance of one who is obviously guilty, yet will refuse to look at the possibility of forgiveness, offers his mockery.
Yet, the one thief who was involved in the mockery added an element to his taunting.
He said that Jesus should save Himself and the thieves.
This would have been his only hope for rescue, yet it was done in a condescending way with no genuine belief or faith.
The Delivered - 23:40-43
In all of this, it looks incredibly bleak.
Yet, on another cross, we find an individual who has had his eyes opened.
Initially, we know that he was part of the mocking, along with the others.
I am so glad that Luke shared this small, but ever so powerful conversation.
None of the other Gospels mentions this deathbed conversation.
Recognition of condemnation (40-41)
It is not normal that we should hear of someone who has been declared guilty and is about to die actually admit to being guilty.
It is even more rare that the criminal should say that he is guilty and actually deserves his punishment.
Yet that is exactly what happened.
In fact, it’s interesting to note that he starts out by showing an understanding that this is all of God.
He then goes on to show that he understands that all three of them are condemned to crucifixion.
But then he notes the injustice Jesus is suffering.
More importantly, he admits that he actually deserved the punishment because of his actual guilt.
Request for forgiveness (42)
We are not given any information as to how this one thief knew that Jesus had a kingdom or even the ability to remember when He got there.
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