Luke 23:33
And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπῆλθον
they were come
G565
ἀπῆλθον
they were come
Strong's:
G565
Word #:
3 of 23
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
ἐπὶ
to
G1909
ἐπὶ
to
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
4 of 23
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοὺς
which
G3588
τοὺς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τόπον
the place
G5117
τόπον
the place
Strong's:
G5117
Word #:
6 of 23
a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc
τοὺς
which
G3588
τοὺς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καλούμενον
is called
G2564
καλούμενον
is called
Strong's:
G2564
Word #:
8 of 23
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
ἐσταύρωσαν
they crucified
G4717
ἐσταύρωσαν
they crucified
Strong's:
G4717
Word #:
11 of 23
to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
which
G3588
τοὺς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὃν
the other
G3739
ὃν
the other
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
16 of 23
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
μὲν
one
G3303
μὲν
one
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
17 of 23
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
ἐξ
on
G1537
ἐξ
on
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
18 of 23
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
δεξιῶν
the right hand
G1188
δεξιῶν
the right hand
Strong's:
G1188
Word #:
19 of 23
the right side or (feminine) hand (as that which usually takes)
ὃν
the other
G3739
ὃν
the other
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
20 of 23
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
Acts 13:29And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.Zechariah 12:10And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.John 18:32That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.Deuteronomy 21:23His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.Galatians 3:13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:1 Peter 2:24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Historical Context
Crucifixion was horrific: victims were stripped naked, nailed or tied to a cross, and left to die slowly through asphyxiation, exposure, and shock. Death could take days. The victim's position between two criminals fulfilled prophecy while symbolizing human choice—two thieves, two responses, two destinies. One mocked (v. 39), one believed (v. 42). This pattern continues: humanity faces Jesus crucified and must choose. The brevity of Luke's crucifixion description ('they crucified him') suggests early Christians knew these details too well—many had seen crucifixions. Later readers must learn what first-century readers knew viscerally: the cross was ultimate shame, suffering, and horror. Jesus endured this willingly for our salvation.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the location 'Calvary' (place of a skull) symbolize about death and judgment?
- How does Jesus being crucified between criminals fulfill prophecy and symbolize His mission?
- Why do you think Luke describes the crucifixion so briefly without detailing its horrors?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The crucifixion: 'And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.' The location: 'Calvary' (Κρανίον, Kranion, Latin Calvaria, meaning skull), elsewhere called Golgotha (Aramaic for skull). The act: 'there they crucified him' (ἐσταύρωσαν αὐτόν, estaurōsan auton)—simple, stark statement of history's central event. Remarkably, Luke doesn't describe crucifixion's details (though readers knew its horrors). The criminals: 'malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left' (κακούργους, ὃν μὲν ἐκ δεξιῶν, ὃν δὲ ἐξ ἀριστερῶν, kakourgous, hon men ek dexiōn, hon de ex aristerōn). This fulfills Isaiah 53:12: 'he was numbered with the transgressors.' Jesus dies as a criminal, bearing the curse for our crimes.