Devine Scripture

Luke 23:50

What does Luke 23:50 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 23:50 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 23:50 means

Joseph, a councillor, is described as a good and righteous man. Not all among the leaders agreed with the deed done to Jesus. Joseph’s character and position give weight to his actions. His goodness is not in loud protest but in courageous care for Jesus’ body. He emerges at the right moment to provide an honorable burial. In a council marked by envy and injustice, God preserves a righteous witness. Joseph will soon risk reputation and defilement concerns to honor the crucified Lord, fulfilling Scripture’s pattern that the suffering Servant would be with the rich in His death.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now there was a man named Joseph, a man of authority and a good and upright man

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And lo, a man, by name Joseph, being a counsellor, a man good and righteous,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And behold there was a man named Joseph who was a counsellor, a good and a just man,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And behold, a man named Joseph, who was a councillor, a good man and a just

Context

Coming after the witnesses at a distance, Joseph steps forward. Luke introduces him carefully to explain his role in the burial. The following verse clarifies that he did not consent to the council’s plan and that he awaited the kingdom of God. This background makes his request to Pilate significant and bold. The narrative will then describe the taking down of Jesus’ body, its wrapping in linen, and placement in a new rock-hewn tomb, with the women observing.

v.49And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed with him from Galilee, stood afar off, seeing these things.

v.50This passage

v.51(he had not consented to their counsel and deed), a man of Arimathæa, a city of the Jews, who was looking for the kingdom of God:

Cross references

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

  • John 19:38

    And after these things Joseph of Arimathæa, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took away his body.

  • Mark 15:42

    And when even was now come, because it was the Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,

  • Acts 10:2

    a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.

  • Acts 11:24

    for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

  • Matthew 27:57

    And when even was come, there came a rich man from Arimathæa, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:

  • Luke 2:25

    And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

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