Luke 23:51
What does Luke 23:51 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 23:51 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 23:51 means
Joseph had not agreed with the council’s decision and was looking for the kingdom of God. His dissent shows integrity; his hope shows faith. He belongs to the people awaiting God’s reign, and in Jesus’ burial he plays an honored part. Though a man of standing, he aligns himself with the condemned Nazarene. Such courage suggests quiet discipleship. God often has faithful servants in unexpected places, preserving a remnant even within hostile institutions. Joseph’s longing for the kingdom prepares him to act when the King has died, trusting that the story is not yet over.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000(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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901(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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949(He had not given his approval to their decision or their acts), of Arimathaea, a town of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862--he was not consenting to their counsel and deed--from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who also himself was expecting the reign of God,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752(The same had not consented to their counsel and doings) of Arimathea, a city of Judea: who also himself looked for the kingdom of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890(this [man] had not assented to their counsel and deed), of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who also waited, [himself also,] for the kingdom ofGod
Context
Luke adds Joseph’s inner stance to his outer reputation. This combination explains why he dares to approach Pilate. The very next verse shows him doing so to ask for Jesus’ body. That act will lead to a careful, respectful burial in a new tomb. The women’s presence will ensure that the location and manner of burial are known, a crucial detail for the testimony of the resurrection on the first day of the week.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 2:38
And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
- Genesis 37:21
And Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand, and said, Let us not take his life.
- Luke 23:42
And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom.
- 1 Samuel 1:1
Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of the hill-country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite:
- Isaiah 8:12
Say ye not, A conspiracy, concerning all whereof this people shall say, A conspiracy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be in dread thereof.
- Exodus 23:2
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to turn aside after a multitude to wrest justice:
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