Luke 23:21

But they cried, saying, Crucify [him], crucify him.

But {G1161} they cried {G2019}, saying {G3004}, Crucify {G4717} him, crucify {G4717} him {G846}.

But they yelled, “Put him to death on the stake! Put him to death on the stake!”

but they kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

but they shouted, saying, Crucify, crucify him.

Commentary

The cry of "Crucify him, crucify him" in Luke 23:21 marks a pivotal and tragic moment in the Passion narrative, revealing the intense animosity directed towards Jesus Christ by a manipulated crowd.

Context

This verse immediately follows Pontius Pilate's repeated attempts to release Jesus, having found no fault in Him worthy of death (Luke 23:4, Luke 23:14-15). Pilate, seeking to appease the Jewish leaders and the agitated populace, offered to release one prisoner at the Passover festival, presenting a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, a notorious rebel and murderer (Luke 23:18-19). Incited by the chief priests and scribes, the crowd vehemently demanded Barabbas's release and Jesus' crucifixion, overriding Pilate's sense of justice and his desire to avoid condemning an innocent man.

Key Themes

  • Mob Mentality and Injustice: The verse vividly portrays the power of a frenzied crowd, easily swayed by influential leaders, leading to a grave miscarriage of justice. It highlights how truth and innocence can be drowned out by popular clamor.
  • Rejection of Christ: Despite Jesus' miraculous works, profound teachings, and blameless life, He was ultimately rejected by many of His own people, fulfilling prophecies of His suffering servant role (Isaiah 53:3). This rejection culminated in the demand for His death.
  • Divine Purpose: While a human act of injustice, the crucifixion of Jesus was also part of God's sovereign plan for salvation, through which Christ would become the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity (Acts 2:23).

Linguistic Insights

The repetition of "Crucify him, crucify him" (Greek: Staurōson auton! Staurōson auton!) emphasizes the crowd's intense, unyielding, and singular demand. This was not a hesitant request but a forceful, unified, and repeated shout, indicating a deep-seated desire for Jesus' brutal execution. The vehemence of their cry left no room for negotiation or mercy.

Reflection and Application

Luke 23:21 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths:

  • The Danger of Groupthink: It cautions against blindly following popular opinion, especially when it contradicts truth and justice. Believers are called to discern truth and stand for righteousness, even when it is unpopular (Romans 12:2).
  • The Cost of Discipleship: Jesus forewarned His disciples that they too would face rejection and persecution for His name's sake (John 15:20). This verse underscores the reality that following Christ may involve standing against prevailing societal currents.
  • God's Unfailing Love: Even in the face of such profound rejection and hatred, Jesus willingly submitted to the cross, demonstrating the immeasurable depth of God's love for humanity (John 3:16).

This verse challenges us to consider where our allegiances lie and whether we are willing to stand for Christ, even when the world cries "crucify."

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 23:23 (2 votes)

    And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.

  • Matthew 27:22 (2 votes)

    Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? [They] all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

  • Matthew 27:25 (2 votes)

    Then answered all the people, and said, His blood [be] on us, and on our children.

  • Mark 15:13 (2 votes)

    And they cried out again, Crucify him.

  • John 19:15 (2 votes)

    But they cried out, Away with [him], away with [him], crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.