Luke 23:27

And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.

And {G1161} there followed {G190} him {G846} a great {G4183} company {G4128} of people {G2992}, and {G2532} of women {G1135}, which {G3739} also {G2532} bewailed {G2875} and {G2532} lamented {G2354} him {G846}.

Large numbers of people followed, including women crying and wailing over him.

A great number of people followed Him, including women who kept mourning and wailing for Him.

And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him.

Context of Luke 23:27

Luke 23:27 places us in the heart of Jesus' journey to Golgotha, often referred to as the Via Dolorosa or the "Way of Suffering." Following His unjust condemnation by Pilate, Jesus is led out to be crucified. This verse highlights the public nature of His execution, as a "great company of people" accompanied the procession. Significantly, Luke emphasizes the presence of women who reacted with profound sorrow, contrasting with the general indifference or hostility of some others in the crowd.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Compassion and Lamentation: The primary theme is the deep emotional response of the women. Their public display of grief — "bewailed and lamented him" — signifies a genuine sympathy for Jesus' plight, even as many others called for His death. This stands as a powerful counter-narrative to the prevailing antagonism.
  • Jesus' Public Suffering: The verse underscores the brutal reality of Jesus' crucifixion, not hidden but performed openly before the city. His suffering was a public spectacle, drawing various reactions from the onlookers, from scorn to genuine sorrow.
  • Unwavering Devotion: Amidst the hostility and fear, these women remained close to Jesus, demonstrating a remarkable devotion and willingness to publicly identify with His suffering, a stark contrast to many of His male disciples who had scattered.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses two distinct terms to describe the women's grief: "bewailed" and "lamented."

  • "Bewaile" comes from the Greek word koptō (κόπτω), which literally means "to cut" or "to beat." In this context, it refers to the customary Eastern practice of beating one's breast or chest as a sign of intense sorrow and distress, often performed during funerals or times of great public mourning.
  • "Lamented" is from the Greek thrēneō (θρηνέω), meaning "to wail aloud," "to sing a dirge," or "to mourn with loud cries." This word emphasizes the vocal expression of grief, the mournful sounds that would have filled the air during this somber procession. Together, these words paint a vivid picture of profound, expressive sorrow, characteristic of Middle Eastern mourning customs.

Related Scriptures

  • For the immediate preceding context of Jesus' condemnation leading to the procession, see Luke 23:25.
  • Jesus' direct address to these women, warning them to weep for themselves and their children rather than for Him, is found immediately after this verse in Luke 23:28.
  • Other Gospel accounts that mention women present at the crucifixion include Matthew 27:55-56 and Mark 15:40-41.

Practical Application

Luke 23:27 invites us to consider our own response to suffering, both within ourselves and in the world around us. The women's spontaneous lamentation serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and compassion in the face of injustice and pain. It challenges us to move beyond mere observation to a place of genuine feeling and concern. Furthermore, understanding the depth of sorrow surrounding Jesus' crucifixion can deepen our appreciation for the immense sacrifice He made for humanity, a sacrifice that ultimately leads to the hope of salvation and eternal life.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 8:52

    And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.

  • Luke 8:2

    And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

  • Mark 15:40

    There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

  • Luke 23:55

    And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.

  • Matthew 27:55

    And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

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