Devine Scripture

Luke 23:49

What does Luke 23:49 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 23:49 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 23:49 means

Jesus’ acquaintances and the women who had followed Him from Galilee stand at a distance, watching. Their presence refutes any claim that His death was a rumor; they see it with their own eyes. The women, in particular, will become key witnesses to His burial and, soon, to the empty tomb. Their faithful observation, though from afar, shows quiet devotion in a dark hour. They cannot stop the injustice, but they can bear witness. Their steadfastness keeps a thread of hope alive, as those who loved Him remain near, even when all seems lost.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed with him from Galilee, stood afar off, seeing these things.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed with him from Galilee, stood afar off, seeing these things.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And all his friends and the women who came with him from Galilee, were waiting at a distance, watching these things.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and all his acquaintances stood afar off, and women who did follow him from Galilee, beholding these things.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And all his acquaintance and the women that had followed him from Galilee stood afar off, beholding these things.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And all those who knew him stood afar off, the women also who had followed him from Galilee, beholding these things.

Context

After the crowds disperse, Luke focuses on those who knew Jesus. Their watchfulness prepares for the burial narrative to follow, connecting the death to the tomb and ensuring continuity of testimony. The next verses introduce Joseph of Arimathæa, a respected councillor who dissented from the council’s deed and awaited God’s kingdom. He will ask Pilate for the body and provide a new tomb, while the women observe carefully where and how Jesus is laid, preparing to honor Him after the Sabbath.

v.48And all the multitudes that came together to this sight, when they beheld the things that were done, returned smiting their breasts.

v.49This passage

v.50And behold, a man named Joseph, who was a councillor, a good and righteous man

Cross references

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

  • Luke 8:2

    and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary that was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,

  • Job 19:13

    He hath put my brethren far from me, And mine acquaintance are wholly estranged from me.

  • Luke 23:55

    And the women, who had come with him out of Galilee, followed after, and beheld the tomb, and how his body was laid.

  • Psalms 88:18

    Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, And mine acquaintance into darkness.

  • Psalms 38:11

    My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague; And my kinsmen stand afar off.

  • Matthew 27:61

    And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

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