Bible Strands
Luke 23:48
And when all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator describes the crowds who assembled at the crucifixion site after Jesus dies and the centurion speaks. These onlookers witness the events and then depart the location.
The words — συμπαραγενόμενοι (sumparagenomenoi) means "having come together," identifying the crowds as a gathered audience. θεωρίαν (theōrian) translates literally to "spectacle" or "viewing," marking the event as a public display.
The thread — The gathering of crowds for a public event appears in Luke 23:48, while the physical gesture of striking the body for grief or repentance parallels Luke 18:13 and Jeremiah 31:19.
Why it lands — The text records the crowd's departure after witnessing the crucifixion, noting their action without assigning a specific emotional state. The reader must observe the reported behavior before considering its theological or psychological implications.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
Cross-references
- Luke 18:13 But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’
- Jeremiah 31:19 After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’
- Acts 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”