Bible Strands
Luke 23:50
Now there was a Council member named Joseph, a good and righteous man,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Luke introduces Joseph at the crucifixion site, shifting focus from the distant observers to a specific political figure. The narrative places him among the ruling class while the execution proceeds.
The words — bouleutēs (bouleutēs) identifies him as a sitting member of the Jewish council. huparchōn (huparchōn) confirms he already held that office when the text presents him.
The thread — The text describes Joseph as a good and righteous man, matching the character profile of Cornelius in Acts 10:22 and Barnabas in Acts 11:24. His council status and hope for God’s kingdom align with the secret disciple noted in John 19:38.
Why it lands — The text states a council member was good and righteous, then notes he had not consented to the execution and awaited God’s kingdom. It asks the reader to weigh a sitting official’s declared alignment with a condemned man against his political position.
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, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:
Cross-references
- John 19:38 Afterward, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus (but secretly for fear of the Jews), asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and removed His body.
- Acts 10:22 “Cornelius the centurion has sent us,” they said. “He is a righteous and God-fearing man with a good reputation among the whole Jewish nation. A holy angel instructed him to request your presence in his home so he could hear a message from you.”
- Acts 11:24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
- Matthew 27:57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who himself was a disciple of Jesus.
- Mark 15:42 Now it was already evening. Since it was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath),
- Acts 10:2 He and all his household were devout and God-fearing. He gave generously to the people and prayed to God regularly.
- Luke 2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.