Luke 23:27-28
And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While the multitude followed Jesus with loud lamentations, the Greek word used for their grieving suggests more than just tears; it implies physically beating their breasts, a visceral expression of deep sorrow and even self-punishment. This intense mourning, from ordinary people and especially women, stands in stark contrast to the religious leaders' and soldiers' callous cruelty, highlighting the profound emotional impact Jesus had on those who truly saw him.
As Jesus is led away to be crucified, a large crowd, including many grieving women, follows Him. This scene unfolds immediately after Pilate has condemned Jesus despite his own doubts, and as soldiers prepare Jesus for the brutal execution, highlighting the public's rejection and the raw sorrow of those who still followed Him.
Amidst the brutal mockery and condemnation, a different kind of crowd appears. What does their sorrow reveal about the impact of Jesus' life and the true cost of his sacrifice?
As Jesus is led away to be crucified, Luke highlights a group following him: 'a great multitude of the people and of women, who were mourning and lamenting for him.' This detail is significant. While many were shouting for his death or remained indifferent, these individuals felt the weight of the injustice and the tragedy.
A Glimpse of His Impact
Their presence is a testament to the profound effect Jesus had on ordinary people. They weren't just curious onlookers; they were genuinely grieved by his suffering. This outpouring of sorrow shows that even as he was being condemned by the religious and political powers, his message and actions had touched hearts and inspired devotion.
More Than Just Pity
The Greek words used, 'mourning' (ekopton) and 'lamenting' (threnoun), suggest more than just passive sadness. 'Ekopton' can imply beating one's breast, a physical expression of deep grief. Their lamentation wasn't just a quiet sigh; it was a public, emotional outcry against the horrific scene unfolding. It underscores that Jesus' life was one that evoked profound love and sorrow when it was threatened.
Jesus turns the focus of their grief. Why does he redirect their tears, and what eternal truth does he reveal about the true reason for sorrow?
Immediately after mentioning the mourning crowd, Luke records Jesus' powerful response: 'Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.' This is a pivotal moment, shifting the perspective from immediate sympathy to eternal consequence.
A Warning of Future Judgment
Jesus isn't diminishing the suffering he is enduring, nor is he rejecting their compassion. Instead, he's highlighting a far greater tragedy. He sees beyond the immediate event of his crucifixion to the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the profound judgment that will fall upon the nation. Their current sorrow, though understandable, is a pale reflection of the grief that is to come.
Understand the original words
plēthos · Greek Noun
A large crowd or throng; in the Gospels, often representing those who are witnesses to Jesus’ ministry or suffering, sometimes fickle in their allegiances.
koptomai · Greek Verb
To express grief, usually through outward, audible wailing or mourning; often associated with funerals or deep distress.
thrēneō · Greek Verb
To beat one's breast or wail in extreme grief; a common cultural expression of intense sorrow or funeral lamentation in the ancient Near East.
thygatēr Ierousalēm · Greek Noun
A title of endearment and address used by Jesus, identifying the women as belonging to the holy city; it carries a tone of compassion while preparing them for coming judgment.
The presence of mourning women highlights that even amidst overwhelming political pressure and public condemnation, a remnant of people recognized Jesus' significance and grieved his unjust suffering.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry and Growing Opposition
Jesus' public ministry gained him followers but also attracted the ire of religious leaders who saw him as a threat to their authority and the established order.
c. AD 30, Passover Week
Jesus' Triumphal Entry and Temple Cleansing
Jesus entered Jerusalem with popular acclaim, then overturned the tables of the money changers in the Temple, further escalating tensions with the authorities.
c. AD 30, Passover Week
Jesus Arrested and Tried
Following the Last Supper, Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane and subjected to trials before the Jewish council and Roman governor Pontius Pilate.
c. AD 30, Passover Day
Pilate's Reluctance and Popular Pressure
Pilate, finding no guilt in Jesus, attempted to release him, but the crowd, incited by the chief priests, demanded Jesus' crucifixion and the release of Barabbas.
This passage prophesies a suffering servant who would be despised and rejected by men, mirroring the crowd's rejection of Jesus and the sorrow of those who mourned for him.
Lamentations 1:12The prophet's cry of 'Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?' echoes the sorrow of the women, highlighting the profound grief and the community's indifference to Christ's suffering.
Zechariah 12:10This prophecy speaks of a future mourning 'as one mourns for an only son,' which resonates with the deep lament of the women and points to a spiritual understanding of Jesus' sacrificial death.
Luke 23:28-31Jesus' own words to the mourning women, urging them to weep for themselves and their children, directly follow this passage and reframe the significance of the lament, pointing to future judgment.
calvinLuke 23:24-32: "And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required."
- But Pilate, perceiving that he gained nothing by it, but that the tumult became the greater, took water, and washed his hands before the people, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man: see you to it. 25. And the whole people, answering, said, His blood be on us and on our children. 26. Then he released to them Barabbas, and after having scourged Jesus, he delivered him up to be crucified. 27. The…
clarkeLuke 23:27: "And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him."
Bewailed and lamented him - Εκοπτοντο, Beat their breasts. See on Matthew 11:17 (note).
While the multitude followed Jesus with loud lamentations, the Greek word used for their grieving suggests more than just tears; it implies physically beating their breasts, a visceral expression of deep sorrow and even self-punishment. This intense mourning, from ordinary people and especially women, stands in stark contrast to the religious leaders' and soldiers' callous cruelty, highlighting the profound emotional impact Jesus had on those who truly saw him.
As Jesus is led away to be crucified, a large crowd, including many grieving women, follows Him. This scene unfolds immediately after Pilate has condemned Jesus despite his own doubts, and as soldiers prepare Jesus for the brutal execution, highlighting the public's rejection and the raw sorrow of those who still followed Him.
As Jesus is led away to be crucified, a large crowd, including many grieving women, follows Him. This scene unfolds immediately after Pilate has condemned Jesus despite his own doubts, and as soldiers prepare Jesus for the brutal execution, highlighting the public's rejection and the raw sorrow of those who still followed Him.
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The Stakes of the Dry Tree
Jesus uses a stark image: 'If they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?' (Luke 23:31). The 'green tree' represents Jesus, full of life and grace, yet undergoing suffering. The 'dry tree' represents a people already cut off from spiritual life, ripe for judgment. Their weeping for him, without understanding the deeper implications of their own rejection of God's Son, is misplaced. The true sorrow should be for the spiritual desolation and the coming judgment they face.
c. AD 30, Passover Day
Jesus Scourged and Mocked
Before being led to the cross, Jesus was scourged by Roman soldiers and subjected to brutal mockery, including being crowned with thorns and hailed as 'King of the Jews'.
c. AD 30, Passover Day— this verse
Jesus Led to Crucifixion
Jesus was led out of the city towards Golgotha. Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry the cross for Jesus, who was weakened by his suffering.
c. AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem
Jesus' prophecy of the impending destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple was fulfilled during the Roman siege, a devastating event that confirmed his forewarnings.
"And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children." — While the multitude followed Jesus with loud lamentations, the Greek word used for their grieving suggests more than just tears; it implies physically beating their breasts, a visceral expression of…
