In Matthew 27, we witness the darkest moment in human history: the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It’s a chapter filled with betrayal, injustice, and unimaginable suffering.
As I investigate into the details of this pivotal chapter, I’m struck by the depth of Jesus’ love and the incredible sacrifice He made for us. The events unfold rapidly, from Judas’ betrayal to the trial before Pontius Pilate, and eventually, to the brutal crucifixion at Golgotha.
Through it all, Jesus remains steadfast, fulfilling the prophecies and demonstrating His unwavering commitment to the Father’s plan of redemption. It’s a powerful reminder of the price paid for our salvation and the depths of God’s love for humanity.
Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate
Early in the morning, the chief priests and elders lead Jesus to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. They’ve decided to have Him put to death.
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Judas’ Remorse and Suicide
Judas, realizing he’s betrayed innocent blood, is filled with remorse. He returns the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4 NKJV). They coldly reply, “What is that to us? You see to it!”
Judas throws down the silver in the temple and departs. He goes out and hangs himself. The chief priests take the silver pieces, but deem it unlawful to put them into the treasury, since it’s blood money. They use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers, fulfilling a prophecy by Jeremiah.
Jesus Before Pilate
Now Jesus stands before Pilate. Pilate asks Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus responds, “It is as you say” (Matthew 27:11 NKJV). The chief priests and elders accuse Him of many things, but He answers nothing. Pilate, amazed, asks, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” Yet Jesus doesn’t reply, greatly amazing the governor.
The sequence of events is rapid:
- Jesus is handed over to Pilate
- Judas, in remorse, returns the silver and hangs himself
- Jesus stands trial before Pilate
Throughout, Jesus remains resolute, speaking little but affirming truth. The fulfillment of prophecy and Jesus’ composure underscore the unfolding of God’s sovereign plan.
Judas Iscariot’s Tragic End
Judas Iscariot’s tragic end serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of betraying Jesus. His story illustrates the depths of remorse and despair that can result from turning away from God.
Judas Returns the Betrayal Money
Judas, overwhelmed with guilt, returns the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. He confesses, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4 NKJV). The priests, but, dismiss his confession, considering the money “the price of blood” (Matthew 27:6 NKJV).
Judas throws the money into the temple and departs. The chief priests decide to use the silver to purchase a potter’s field as a burial place for strangers, fulfilling the prophecy spoken by Jeremiah (Matthew 27:7-10).
The Fate of Judas
Unable to cope with his guilt and shame, Judas tragically takes his own life. The Bible records, “Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:5 NKJV).
Judas’ story serves as a warning about the dangers of:
- Betraying Jesus
- Allowing greed to control our actions
- Failing to seek genuine repentance and forgiveness
As believers, we must guard our hearts and remain faithful to Christ, trusting in His love and mercy even in our darkest moments.
Jesus Questioned by Pilate
After being condemned by the Jewish leaders, Jesus was taken to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor (Matthew 27:1-2). Pilate questioned Jesus directly, asking if He was the King of the Jews, to which Jesus affirmed, “You have said so” (Matthew 27:11).
Pilate Seeks to Release Jesus
Pilate found no fault in Jesus and sought to release Him. It was customary during the feast for the governor to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd (Matthew 27:15). Pilate offered them a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, a notorious criminal (Matthew 27:16-17).
Pilate’s wife had a dream about Jesus and warned her husband, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him” (Matthew 27:19). Pilate hoped the crowd would choose to release Jesus.
The Crowd Demands Barabbas
But, the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus (Matthew 27:20). When Pilate asked what he should do with Jesus, they all cried out:
“Let Him be crucified!” (Matthew 27:22)
Pilate asked, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more:
“Let Him be crucified!” (Matthew 27:23)
Even though Pilate’s attempts to release Jesus, the crowd insisted on His crucifixion and the release of Barabbas. The pressure from the Jewish leaders and the crowd’s demands put Pilate in a difficult position as he sought to navigate the tense political situation.
Pilate Condemns Jesus to Death
In Matthew 27, Jesus is brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. The chief priests and elders accuse Him, but Pilate finds no fault in Jesus.
Pilate Washes His Hands
Pilate tries to reason with the crowd, asking what evil Jesus has done. But they refuse to listen and demand His crucifixion. In a symbolic gesture, Pilate washes his hands before the multitude, declaring, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it” (Matthew 27:24, NKJV). Even though his attempts to avoid responsibility, Pilate eventually gives in to the crowd’s demands.
The Crowd Accepts Responsibility
The crowd, stirred up by the religious leaders, cries out for Jesus’ crucifixion. When Pilate washes his hands, they boldly proclaim, “His blood be on us and on our children” (Matthew 27:25, NKJV). In a chilling declaration, the people accept the consequences of their actions, taking responsibility for Jesus’ death.
This tragic scene reveals:
- The power of mob mentality
- The weakness of political leaders
- The depths of human sinfulness
Yet, even in this dark moment, God’s plan of salvation moves forward. Jesus willingly lays down His life, taking upon Himself the sins of the world.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
After Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified, the soldiers take Him into the Praetorium and gather the whole garrison around Him. They strip Jesus of His clothes and put a scarlet robe on Him, beginning a series of cruel mockeries.
Jesus is Scourged and Mocked
The soldiers brutally scourge Jesus, a punishment involving whipping with a multi-lashed whip embedded with bone or metal fragments. They then dress Him in a scarlet robe, a color associated with royalty, to mock His claim of being the King of the Jews. As Matthew recounts, “And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him” (Matthew 27:28, NKJV).
The Crown of Thorns
In a twisted act of mockery, the soldiers weave a crown of thorns and place it on Jesus’ head. They put a reed in His right hand as a scepter and kneel before Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Matthew 27:29, NKJV). The crown of thorns is not only painful but also a symbol of the curse of sin that Jesus bears on behalf of humanity.
The soldiers’ actions fulfill the prophecy in Isaiah 53:5, which states, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed” (NKJV). Jesus endures this suffering and humiliation to secure our salvation and demonstrate His profound love for us.
The Crucifixion
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the pivotal event in human history, revealing the depths of God’s love and the cost of our redemption. As I reflect on the powerful narrative in Matthew 27, I’m struck by the profound significance of each moment leading up to and including Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross.
The Road to Golgotha
After the mockery and scourging, the soldiers led Jesus away to be crucified. Along the way, they compelled Simon of Cyrene to bear His cross (Matthew 27:32). This poignant moment reminds me that we’re called to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23), sharing in His sufferings as we journey towards eternal life.
Jesus is Crucified
At Golgotha, they crucified Jesus between two thieves, fulfilling the prophecy that He would be numbered with the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12). The soldiers divided His garments by casting lots, unwittingly fulfilling Psalm 22:18. In this act of ultimate sacrifice, Jesus bore the weight of our sins, enduring unimaginable pain to secure our salvation.
The Inscribed Charge
Pilate wrote an inscription to be placed above Jesus’ head on the cross, which read, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS” (Matthew 27:37 NKJV). This title, intended as a mockery, proclaimed the truth of Jesus’ identity for all to see. Even in His darkest hour, Jesus’ kingship shone through, reminding us that He reigns eternally.
Jesus Mocked on the Cross
As Jesus hung on the cross, He faced relentless mockery from passersby, religious leaders, and even the thieves crucified with Him. They challenged Him to save Himself and come down from the cross (Matthew 27:40-44). Yet, in His sacrificial love, Jesus chose to endure the shame and pain, demonstrating that His strength is perfected in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
The Death of Jesus
As the narrative of Jesus’ crucifixion continues, Matthew’s gospel highlights the profound spiritual and physical anguish that Jesus endures. These events underscore the depth of His sacrifice and the significance of His death for the redemption of humanity.
Darkness Falls on the Land
From the sixth hour until the ninth hour, darkness falls over all the land (Matthew 27:45). This supernatural darkness symbolizes the weight of sin and judgment that Jesus bears on the cross. It’s a tangible manifestation of the spiritual reality that Jesus experiences as He takes upon Himself the sins of the world.
Jesus Cries Out to the Father
Around the ninth hour, Jesus cries out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46, NKJV). This heartrending cry reveals the depths of Jesus’ suffering as He experiences the separation from the Father that sin brings. Jesus quotes Psalm 22:1, identifying Himself with the suffering servant who bears the sins of many.
Some of those standing there misunderstand Jesus’ words, thinking He’s calling for Elijah. One man offers Jesus sour wine on a sponge, while the rest say, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him” (Matthew 27:49, NKJV). Even in His final moments, Jesus faces mockery and misunderstanding.
The Veil of the Temple Torn
At the moment of Jesus’ death, the veil of the temple is torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). This miraculous event signifies that through Jesus’ sacrifice, the barrier between God and man is removed. The way into the holy of holies is now open to all who believe in Christ.
Also, there is an earthquake, and rocks are split. Tombs are opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep are raised, coming out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and appearing to many in the holy city (Matthew 27:51-53). These extraordinary events testify to the power of Jesus’ death and the promise of resurrection life.
The Centurion’s Confession
The centurion and those with him who are guarding Jesus see the earthquake and the things that have happened. They are greatly afraid and exclaim, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54, NKJV). This confession from a Gentile soldier underscores the universal impact of Jesus’ death. His sacrifice is not just for the Jews but for all people.
The women who had followed Jesus from Galilee, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons, witness these events from afar (Matthew 27:55-56). Their presence reminds us of the faithfulness of Jesus’ followers even in the darkest of times.
The Burial of Jesus
After Jesus’ death on the cross, Joseph of Arimathea steps forward to claim His body for burial. Let’s explore the details surrounding this pivotal moment.
Joseph of Arimathea Claims the Body
Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy and prominent member of the Jewish council, secretly follows Jesus. He courageously goes to Pilate and asks for Jesus’ body, as recorded in Matthew 27:57-58: “Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.”
Pilate grants Joseph’s request, and he takes Jesus’ body for burial. This act of devotion and respect from Joseph, even though his position, demonstrates his faith and love for the Lord.
Jesus Placed in the Tomb
Joseph takes Jesus’ body, wraps it in a clean linen cloth, and lays it in his own new tomb. Matthew 27:59-60 states: “When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.”
This fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy that the Messiah would be buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9). Joseph’s actions reflect his reverence and care for Jesus, even in death.
The Tomb is Sealed and Guarded
The chief priests and Pharisees, remembering Jesus’ words about rising after three days, request that Pilate secure the tomb. They fear Jesus’ disciples might steal the body and claim He has risen. Pilate grants their request, as noted in Matthew 27:62-66:
“On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, ‘Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, “After three days I will rise.” Hence command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, “He has risen from the dead.” So the last deception will be worse than the first.’ Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.’ So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.”
Even though their efforts to prevent the resurrection, God’s plan cannot be thwarted. The sealed and guarded tomb sets the stage for the miraculous event to come.
Conclusion
Matthew 27 is a powerful testament to Jesus’ love, sacrifice, and the fulfillment of God’s plan for our salvation. Through the betrayal, suffering, and crucifixion, we witness the depths of human sin and the unwavering faithfulness of our Savior. Jesus’ death on the cross stands as a pivotal moment in history, tearing down the barriers between God and man.
As I reflect on this chapter, I’m reminded of the cost of my salvation and the immense love that Jesus has for me. His sacrifice encourages me to guard my heart, remain faithful, and trust in His love and mercy, even in the darkest of times. Through His death and burial, Jesus paved the way for the miraculous resurrection, offering hope and eternal life to all who believe in Him.
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