Luke 23:51 Meaning and Explanation
“(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Joseph had not agreed to the council's plan and deed; from Arimathaea, he was himself waiting for the kingdom of God.
What Does Luke 23:51 Mean?
Luke clears Joseph's record: when the council resolved against Jesus, this man withheld his consent. And he gives Joseph the loveliest of descriptions — one who waited for the kingdom of God, like aged Simeon and Anna at the temple (Luke 2:25, 38).
Waiting, in Scripture, is not idleness but expectation — a heart leaning toward what God has promised. Joseph's hope had kept him from the majority's sin, and now it moves him toward costly devotion. Those who genuinely await God's kingdom find themselves, sooner or later, unable to go along with the crowd — and unable to stay hidden.
Luke 23:51 in the Original Language
prosdechomai (προσδέχομαι), 'waited for' -- to await with expectation, ready to welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 23:51
What does Luke 23:51 mean?
Joseph had not agreed to the council's plan and deed; from Arimathaea, he was himself waiting for the kingdom of God.