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Luke 23:38

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 23:38 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And there was also a superscription over him, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And there was also a superscription over him, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Luke 23:38 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
35And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also scoffed at him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen.
36And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, offering him vinegar,
37and saying, If thou art the King of the Jews, save thyself.
38And there was also a superscription over him, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39And one of the malefactors that were hanged railed on him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? save thyself and us.
40But the other answered, and rebuking him said, Dost thou not even fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
← Luke 23:37Luke 23:39 →
← Full Chapter 23 Luke Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And a superscription also was written, etc.] Containing the crime he was charged with, and accused of; (see Gill on “<402737>Matthew 27:37”); (see Gill on “<431919>John 19:19-20”).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the notes at Matthew 27:41-44. Luke 23:38 In letters of Greek ... - See the notes at Matthew 27:37. Luke 23:39 One of the malefactors - Matthew Matthew 27:44 says “the thieves - cast the same in his teeth.” See the apparent contradiction in these statements reconciled in the notes at that place. If thou be Christ - If thou art the Messiah; if thou art what thou dost pretend to be. This is a taunt or reproach of the same kind as that of the priests in Luke 23:35. Save thyself and us - Save our lives. Deliver us from the cross. This man did not seek for salvation truly; he asked not to be delivered from his sins; if he had, Jesus would also have heard him. Men often, in sickness and…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Mat 27:37; Mar 15:26; Joh 19:19. Luke 23:39”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“23:38 The sign confirmed that Jesus was crucified on the charge of claiming to be the King of the Jews (cp. John 19:19-22).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Luk 23:3; Mat 27:11, Mat 27:37; Mar 15:18, Mar 15:26, Mar 15:32; Joh 19:3, Joh 19:19-22 Luke 23:39”
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Related study paths

Read Luke 23 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification