Devine Scripture

Luke 23:44

What does Luke 23:44 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 23:44 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 23:44 means

Around the sixth hour, darkness falls over the whole land until the ninth hour. Creation itself testifies to the gravity of this moment. The One who is the light of the world dies, and nature mourns. The darkness also symbolizes judgment—sin bearing its due as Jesus gives His life. This is no ordinary execution; heaven and earth acknowledge its cosmic weight. Such a sign silences mockery and sobers witnesses. The cross is the center of a drama far larger than Jerusalem. In that gloom, the Savior accomplishes the work the Father gave Him, soon to cry His final prayer.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And it was now about the sixth hour, and a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And it was now about the sixth hour, and a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And it was now about the sixth hour; and all the land was dark till the ninth hour;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And it was, as it were, the sixth hour, and darkness came over all the land till the ninth hour,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And it was almost the sixth hour: and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And it was about [the] sixth hour, and there came darkness over the whole land until [the] ninth hour.

Context

Following the promise to the repentant criminal, Luke widens the lens to cosmic signs. The hours of darkness bracket Jesus’ final moments. Next, he notes the failing of the sun’s light and the rending of the temple veil. These signs interpret the meaning of the death: judgment borne and access to God opened. Immediately after, Jesus will cry with a loud voice, entrusting His spirit to the Father, and then breathe His last.

v.43And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.

v.44This passage

v.45the sun’s light failing: and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 27:52

    and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised;

  • Amos 5:18

    Woe unto you that desire the day of Jehovah! Wherefore would ye have the day of Jehovah? It is darkness, and not light.

  • Exodus 10:21

    And Jehovah said unto Moses, Stretch out thy hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.

  • Joel 2:31

    The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of Jehovah cometh.

  • Psalms 105:28

    He sent darkness, and made it dark; And they rebelled not against his words.

  • Acts 2:20

    The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the day of the Lord come, That great and notable day:

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