Matthew Chapter 27
Here in chapter 27 we find Jesus is judged by Pilate, He is mocked by the soldiers, and Judas realizes what he has done and takes his life.
1-2) The entire capture, beating, and trial of Jesus went against Jewish law. It was a sure thing that the chief priests, elders, and Roman counsel wanted Jesus dead and it was not going to matter how they did it. According to Jewish law Christ was seized and bound without being charged until after being brought before Caiaphas, the high priest, and then He was brought before Pilate. It seems that after they took Jesus and had Him secured away they must have disbanded until morning and then came back together to plot the demise of Jesus. Waiting till morning was probably an attempt to make things look more legal because it went against all forms of law to proceed against Jesus’ death at night.
3-10) I believe Judas was filled with remorse not repentance. Seeing what he had done Judas quickly goes to the chief priests and gives the money back but the priests do not want the blood money either. What were they going to do with the money they couldn’t put it in the treasury because it was blood money. Judas would not take the money and he left and hanged himself. So the Chief priests conferred together and decided to buy the potter’s field and use it as a burial place and it was been called the Field of Blood. Why Matthew says the word from Zechariah 11:12-13 was spoken by Jeremiah is not quite clear unless Jeremiah spoke the word and Zechariah recorded it or the original said Zechariah and through transcription over time by error came out Jeremiah, or it may have referred to the scroll of Jeremiah, which also included the book of Zechariah. The important thing is that over 800 years earlier the 30 pieces of silver were spoken of in the house of God and going to the potter thus fulfilling the prophecy. (See also Jeremiah 19:1-13)
11-14) As we know from History Pontius Pilate was a cruel ruler and very ruthless to Jews but here we see him out of character in the way he handles Jesus. I believe that Pilate realized Jesus was speaking of a kingship not of this earth because if Jesus was claiming to be a king of this earth it would make Him a rival to Pilate and there would be no choice for Pilate but to have Jesus killed. When Pilate speaks Jesus responds but when the priests and elders questioned Him He did not answer (Isaiah 53:7). Pilate was amazed and did not know how to handle this situation.
15-23) It was customary that during the festival the governor would release a prisoner for the crowd of their choosing so this is what Pilate did thinking they would call for the release of Jesus who was an innocent man. But when Pilate went before the people with Jesus and Barabbas, a notorious criminal and asked who they wanted released the crowd called for Barabbas and called for Jesus to be put to death by crucifixion. Pilate while sitting on the judgment seat was given a message from his wife saying she had a dream and Jesus was an innocent man and he should have nothing to do with His death. So Pilate once again asks the crowd who they want released and once again the crowd persuaded by the priests and elders called for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be crucified. Calling for crucifixion was also a strange request because religious execution was generally by stoning not by crucifixion. But Pilate asked what he should do with the one called the Messiah and asked what wrong has He done but the crowd shouted all the more “crucify Him.”
24-25) Pilate attempting to remove guilt from himself for what was about to happen and to calm the crowd that was becoming out of hand he copied a Jewish custom (Deuteronomy 21:1-8) and said he washed his hands of the whole affair and the blood of this innocent man would not be upon him (this was a symbolic act, meaning that the responsibility of the sin was upon the Jewish authorities and people instead of himself). The crowd then yelled out “let His blood be on us and on our children.” Many would like to use this passage to place blame even today on the Jewish people but as we know from Scripture also Jesus asked the Father to forgive all because they did not know what they were doing and this forgiveness takes away the blame from all Jewish people. Every one of us is just as guilty as the other until we accept Jesus as our Lord and ask for forgiveness of our sins and turn from our wicked ways.
26) Pilate now releases Barabbas and has Jesus flogged. Flogging is done with a whip having many leather strips with sharp pieces of metal, bone, or stone attached to them so as to afflict even greater pain. It was not uncommon for a person being flogged to actually die from the flogging before they were crucified. It was customary to decrease the number of lashes received whenever the convicted would confess a crime but since Jesus did not speak the lashes continued with great force and Jesus was shamefully mocked during the beating.
27-31) After the beating Jesus was taken into the soldier's barracks, which was located next to Herod's palace. It says a company or cohort of soldiers and according to Strongs G4686 it means 400 to 600 soldiers. They took his clothes and placed a scarlet robe on Him, which represented royalty and they mocked Him. Through out the day Jesus was mocked, spit upon, and struck on the head but still Jesus remained conscious. They put a crown of thorns upon His head in mockery and hit it down with their rods causing great pain.
32-34) As they began the trek to Golgotha, meaning place of a skull, there was a man named Simon of Cyrene, Mark 15:21, and they called for him to help bear the cross of Jesus as they went to the hill of Golgotha. Golgotha was the place where criminals were executed located outside the city walls. When they arrived they offered him a drink mixed with wine and gall (it was customary to give them a drink that would numb the senses so they would not be aware of all that was going on) but He would not drink it.
35) It is said that the crucifixion took place around 3 p.m. on a Friday afternoon of April A.D. 30. The actual date and time we cannot truly figure out but this is close. After the crucifixion the clothes of Jesus were divided up by casting lots or drawing straws to see who got what and this fulfills the Messianic prophecy from Psalms 22:17-18.
36-44) After dividing up His clothes they then sat down and kept watch over Him so no one could try to take Him down or anything. And they placed above His head a plaque reading Matthew 27:37 “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” (Aramaic version) Mark 15:26 “The King of the Jews.” (Latin version) Luke 23:38 “This is the King of the Jews” (shortened Aramaic version) John 19:19 “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” (Greek version) Many try to use the variations of the phrase put on the plaque to depict contradictions in the Bible but if one truly studies and reads the Word of God they would find in John 19:19 And Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. And there was written, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 This title therefore read many of the Jews, for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city; and it was written in Hebrew, and in Latin, and in Greek. So there is no contradiction the phrase was written in three languages on the plaque so all could read it. Theologians believe that Pilate wrote out the short version as it is in Mark. Two criminals were crucified with Jesus one on His right and one on His left. The Greek word used “lestes” from Strongs G3027 means a “violent robber, a terrorist. The place of crucifixion was close by the road so people passing by were able to see Him hanging there and to read the plaque thus they would mock Him and shake their heads at Him (Psalms 109:25) also calling out to Him to save Himself since He was the Son of God. All were mocking Him, the scribes, priests, elders, and people passing by. “He saved others…but cannot save Himself they cried out. Jesus had the power to come down from the cross but because of His love for us He stayed there.
45) From noon until around 3 in the afternoon darkness came upon the land. Many have said it was an eclipse but the moon is always full at Passover time so this was a supernatural event showing God’s distaste for the people.
46-50) The darkness stayed until the ninth hour (around 3 p.m.) and at that time Jesus cried out with a loud voice “Eloi, Eloi, Lama, Sabachthani” meaning “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some who probably did not know Aramaic thought Jesus was calling out for Elijah. This loud cry from Jesus fulfills the Messianic prophecy from Psalm 22:1. They dipped a rag in some vinegar and put it on a rod and offered it to Jesus to drink while others said wait let’s see if Elijah comes to save Him. Then Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and breathed His last and the crowd left Him alone.
51-56) And at that same moment that the darkness ended, Jesus cried out, the curtain of the holy of holies was torn in two from top to bottom. It is said this curtain was made of felt and about the thickness of a man’s hand. Now that the curtain was torn any one could enter the holy of holies instead of just the high priest. The moment the curtain was torn away the differences between Jew and Gentile also passed away and the earth shook opening tombs. Many saints who had died and were buried now were raised to life when the tombs opened. Now those that were with Jesus watching over Him saw the tombs open and the dead come to life they were terrified and said, “Surely He was the Son of God.” Many women were there but of all the men that followed Christ only John was present. The women were there to care for His needs.
57-66) As evening approached a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph offered his new tomb for the burial place of Jesus (Isaiah 53:9). Joseph was a secret disciple of Jesus and also a member of the Sanhedrin so he had the influence necessary to go to Pilate and ask for the body of Jesus so as to give it a decent burial. After receiving the body they wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and placed it in the new tomb carved out of the rock. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained sitting on the other side of the tomb. The next day the priests and Pharisees went to Pilate and reminded him of what Jesus said about rising on the third day and said they should make sure no one tampers with the burial site so that this mistake would not be worse than the first. The first error they made was in not realizing Jesus was the Messiah until it was too late and so they did not want Jesus to rise from the tomb on the third day thus proving them wrong again and they did not want anyone taking the body to make it look that way. So, Pilate ordered the tomb be secured and guarded so no one could steal the body. Guards rolled a large stone in front of the opening.
Here in chapter 27 we find Jesus is judged by Pilate, He is mocked by the soldiers, and Judas realizes what he has done and takes his life.
1-2) The entire capture, beating, and trial of Jesus went against Jewish law. It was a sure thing that the chief priests, elders, and Roman counsel wanted Jesus dead and it was not going to matter how they did it. According to Jewish law Christ was seized and bound without being charged until after being brought before Caiaphas, the high priest, and then He was brought before Pilate. It seems that after they took Jesus and had Him secured away they must have disbanded until morning and then came back together to plot the demise of Jesus. Waiting till morning was probably an attempt to make things look more legal because it went against all forms of law to proceed against Jesus’ death at night.
3-10) I believe Judas was filled with remorse not repentance. Seeing what he had done Judas quickly goes to the chief priests and gives the money back but the priests do not want the blood money either. What were they going to do with the money they couldn’t put it in the treasury because it was blood money. Judas would not take the money and he left and hanged himself. So the Chief priests conferred together and decided to buy the potter’s field and use it as a burial place and it was been called the Field of Blood. Why Matthew says the word from Zechariah 11:12-13 was spoken by Jeremiah is not quite clear unless Jeremiah spoke the word and Zechariah recorded it or the original said Zechariah and through transcription over time by error came out Jeremiah, or it may have referred to the scroll of Jeremiah, which also included the book of Zechariah. The important thing is that over 800 years earlier the 30 pieces of silver were spoken of in the house of God and going to the potter thus fulfilling the prophecy. (See also Jeremiah 19:1-13)
11-14) As we know from History Pontius Pilate was a cruel ruler and very ruthless to Jews but here we see him out of character in the way he handles Jesus. I believe that Pilate realized Jesus was speaking of a kingship not of this earth because if Jesus was claiming to be a king of this earth it would make Him a rival to Pilate and there would be no choice for Pilate but to have Jesus killed. When Pilate speaks Jesus responds but when the priests and elders questioned Him He did not answer (Isaiah 53:7). Pilate was amazed and did not know how to handle this situation.
15-23) It was customary that during the festival the governor would release a prisoner for the crowd of their choosing so this is what Pilate did thinking they would call for the release of Jesus who was an innocent man. But when Pilate went before the people with Jesus and Barabbas, a notorious criminal and asked who they wanted released the crowd called for Barabbas and called for Jesus to be put to death by crucifixion. Pilate while sitting on the judgment seat was given a message from his wife saying she had a dream and Jesus was an innocent man and he should have nothing to do with His death. So Pilate once again asks the crowd who they want released and once again the crowd persuaded by the priests and elders called for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be crucified. Calling for crucifixion was also a strange request because religious execution was generally by stoning not by crucifixion. But Pilate asked what he should do with the one called the Messiah and asked what wrong has He done but the crowd shouted all the more “crucify Him.”
24-25) Pilate attempting to remove guilt from himself for what was about to happen and to calm the crowd that was becoming out of hand he copied a Jewish custom (Deuteronomy 21:1-8) and said he washed his hands of the whole affair and the blood of this innocent man would not be upon him (this was a symbolic act, meaning that the responsibility of the sin was upon the Jewish authorities and people instead of himself). The crowd then yelled out “let His blood be on us and on our children.” Many would like to use this passage to place blame even today on the Jewish people but as we know from Scripture also Jesus asked the Father to forgive all because they did not know what they were doing and this forgiveness takes away the blame from all Jewish people. Every one of us is just as guilty as the other until we accept Jesus as our Lord and ask for forgiveness of our sins and turn from our wicked ways.
26) Pilate now releases Barabbas and has Jesus flogged. Flogging is done with a whip having many leather strips with sharp pieces of metal, bone, or stone attached to them so as to afflict even greater pain. It was not uncommon for a person being flogged to actually die from the flogging before they were crucified. It was customary to decrease the number of lashes received whenever the convicted would confess a crime but since Jesus did not speak the lashes continued with great force and Jesus was shamefully mocked during the beating.
27-31) After the beating Jesus was taken into the soldier's barracks, which was located next to Herod's palace. It says a company or cohort of soldiers and according to Strongs G4686 it means 400 to 600 soldiers. They took his clothes and placed a scarlet robe on Him, which represented royalty and they mocked Him. Through out the day Jesus was mocked, spit upon, and struck on the head but still Jesus remained conscious. They put a crown of thorns upon His head in mockery and hit it down with their rods causing great pain.
32-34) As they began the trek to Golgotha, meaning place of a skull, there was a man named Simon of Cyrene, Mark 15:21, and they called for him to help bear the cross of Jesus as they went to the hill of Golgotha. Golgotha was the place where criminals were executed located outside the city walls. When they arrived they offered him a drink mixed with wine and gall (it was customary to give them a drink that would numb the senses so they would not be aware of all that was going on) but He would not drink it.
35) It is said that the crucifixion took place around 3 p.m. on a Friday afternoon of April A.D. 30. The actual date and time we cannot truly figure out but this is close. After the crucifixion the clothes of Jesus were divided up by casting lots or drawing straws to see who got what and this fulfills the Messianic prophecy from Psalms 22:17-18.
36-44) After dividing up His clothes they then sat down and kept watch over Him so no one could try to take Him down or anything. And they placed above His head a plaque reading Matthew 27:37 “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” (Aramaic version) Mark 15:26 “The King of the Jews.” (Latin version) Luke 23:38 “This is the King of the Jews” (shortened Aramaic version) John 19:19 “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” (Greek version) Many try to use the variations of the phrase put on the plaque to depict contradictions in the Bible but if one truly studies and reads the Word of God they would find in John 19:19 And Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. And there was written, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 This title therefore read many of the Jews, for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city; and it was written in Hebrew, and in Latin, and in Greek. So there is no contradiction the phrase was written in three languages on the plaque so all could read it. Theologians believe that Pilate wrote out the short version as it is in Mark. Two criminals were crucified with Jesus one on His right and one on His left. The Greek word used “lestes” from Strongs G3027 means a “violent robber, a terrorist. The place of crucifixion was close by the road so people passing by were able to see Him hanging there and to read the plaque thus they would mock Him and shake their heads at Him (Psalms 109:25) also calling out to Him to save Himself since He was the Son of God. All were mocking Him, the scribes, priests, elders, and people passing by. “He saved others…but cannot save Himself they cried out. Jesus had the power to come down from the cross but because of His love for us He stayed there.
45) From noon until around 3 in the afternoon darkness came upon the land. Many have said it was an eclipse but the moon is always full at Passover time so this was a supernatural event showing God’s distaste for the people.
46-50) The darkness stayed until the ninth hour (around 3 p.m.) and at that time Jesus cried out with a loud voice “Eloi, Eloi, Lama, Sabachthani” meaning “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some who probably did not know Aramaic thought Jesus was calling out for Elijah. This loud cry from Jesus fulfills the Messianic prophecy from Psalm 22:1. They dipped a rag in some vinegar and put it on a rod and offered it to Jesus to drink while others said wait let’s see if Elijah comes to save Him. Then Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and breathed His last and the crowd left Him alone.
51-56) And at that same moment that the darkness ended, Jesus cried out, the curtain of the holy of holies was torn in two from top to bottom. It is said this curtain was made of felt and about the thickness of a man’s hand. Now that the curtain was torn any one could enter the holy of holies instead of just the high priest. The moment the curtain was torn away the differences between Jew and Gentile also passed away and the earth shook opening tombs. Many saints who had died and were buried now were raised to life when the tombs opened. Now those that were with Jesus watching over Him saw the tombs open and the dead come to life they were terrified and said, “Surely He was the Son of God.” Many women were there but of all the men that followed Christ only John was present. The women were there to care for His needs.
57-66) As evening approached a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph offered his new tomb for the burial place of Jesus (Isaiah 53:9). Joseph was a secret disciple of Jesus and also a member of the Sanhedrin so he had the influence necessary to go to Pilate and ask for the body of Jesus so as to give it a decent burial. After receiving the body they wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and placed it in the new tomb carved out of the rock. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained sitting on the other side of the tomb. The next day the priests and Pharisees went to Pilate and reminded him of what Jesus said about rising on the third day and said they should make sure no one tampers with the burial site so that this mistake would not be worse than the first. The first error they made was in not realizing Jesus was the Messiah until it was too late and so they did not want Jesus to rise from the tomb on the third day thus proving them wrong again and they did not want anyone taking the body to make it look that way. So, Pilate ordered the tomb be secured and guarded so no one could steal the body. Guards rolled a large stone in front of the opening.
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