Jesus Delivered to Pilate
The Jewish leaders prepared charges against Jesus so...
The Jewish leaders prepared charges against Jesus so that Pilate would order his death. Pilate was a gentile, and by condemning Jesus he fulfilled Jesus prediction (Matthew 20:19).
1When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death. 2They bound Him, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.
Judas Hangs Himself
There are two stories about Judas's death. This...
There are two stories about Judas's death. This one and the one found in Acts 1:18–19. There are differences between the two stories:
Matthew says the priests bought the field (Matthew 27:6–7), but Acts suggests Judas bought it (Acts 1:18).
Matthew says Judas hanged himself by hanging (Matthew 27:5). Acts says he fell and his body burst open (Acts 1:18).
Matthew says the field of blood was named for its use as a burial place (Matthew 27:7–8). Acts says it was named because of Judas’s violent death (Acts 1:19).
The stories can align if Acts describes the results of Matthew's events.
Matthew says the priests bought the field (Matthew 27:6–7), but Acts suggests Judas bought it (Acts 1:18).
Matthew says Judas hanged himself by hanging (Matthew 27:5). Acts says he fell and his body burst open (Acts 1:18).
Matthew says the field of blood was named for its use as a burial place (Matthew 27:7–8). Acts says it was named because of Judas’s violent death (Acts 1:19).
3When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. 4“I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.”
5So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
6The chief priests picked up the pieces of silver and said, “It is unlawful to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7After conferring together, they used the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was...
what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: The quote is from Zechariah 11:12–13. Matthew might have followed the Jewish tradition of naming books by the first book in the scroll. In this case, Jeremiah would be the first book in the scroll containing Zechariah. Or, Matthew might be referencing similar passages in Jeremiah (Jeremiah 19:1–13; 18:2–6; 32:6–15) along with Zechariah 11:12–13.
Matthew notices a strong similarity between Zechariah's actions and those of the leading priests. Both situations involve rejecting God's messenger, who was meant to be the king of God's people.
what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: The quote is from Zechariah 11:12–13. Matthew might have followed the Jewish tradition of naming books by the first book in the scroll. In this case, Jeremiah would be the first book in the scroll containing Zechariah. Or, Matthew might be referencing similar passages in Jeremiah (Jeremiah 19:1–13; 18:2–6; 32:6–15) along with Zechariah 11:12–13.
Matthew notices a strong similarity between Zechariah's actions and those of the leading priests. Both situations involve rejecting God's messenger, who was meant to be the king of God's people.
9Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:
“They took the thirty pieces of silver,the price set on Him by the people of Israel,10and they gave them for the potter’s field,as the Lord had commanded me.”†Jesus before Pilate
The Roman trial included an initial hearing before...
The Roman trial included an initial hearing before Pilatee (Matthew 27:11–14), then one before Herod Antipas (Luke 23:6–16), and a second hearing with Pilate (Matthew 27:15–26).
11Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, who questioned Him: “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.
12And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer.
13Then Pilate asked Him, “Do You not hear how many charges they are bringing against You?”
14But Jesus gave no answer, not even to a single charge, much to the governor’s amazement.
The Crowd Chooses Barabbas
15Now it was the governor’s custom at the feast to release to the crowd a prisoner of their choosing. 16At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner named Barabbas.† 17So when the crowd had assembled, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
19While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.”
20But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death.
21“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they replied.
22“What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!”
23“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”
Pilate Washes His Hands
24When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,”† he said. “You bear the responsibility.”
25All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”
26So Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
(Isaiah 50:4–11; Mark 15:16–20; Luke 22:63–65; John 19:1–15)
During the Jewish trial, people mocked Jesus as...
During the Jewish trial, people mocked Jesus as a prophet (Matthew 26:67–68). Here, they mocked him as a king.
27Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company around Him.
The scarlet robe was probably a soldier's cloak...
The scarlet robe was probably a soldier's cloak used to imitate royal clothing in order to mock Jesus.
Weaving a crown of thorns was meant to mock Jesus as a king.
The scarlet robe was probably a soldier's cloak used to imitate royal clothing in order to mock Jesus.
Weaving a crown of thorns was meant to mock Jesus as a king.
28They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. 29And they twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on His head. They put a staff in His right hand, knelt down before Him, and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30Then they spit on Him and took the staff and struck Him on the head repeatedly.
31After they had mocked Him, they removed the robe and put His own clothes back on Him. Then they led Him away to crucify Him.
The Crucifixion
(Psalms 22:1–31; Mark 15:21–32; Luke 23:26–43; John 19:16–27)
The crowd mocked Jesus, but their words were...
The crowd mocked Jesus, but their words were still true. He is the Son of God, the King of Israel, and the Messiah.
32Along the way they found a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross of Jesus.
33And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means The Place of the Skull, 34they offered Him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it.
35When they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments by casting lots.† 36And sitting down, they kept watch over Him there.
37Above His head they posted the written charge against Him:
38Two robbers† were crucified with Him, one on His right and the other on His left.
39And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads 40and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”
41In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, 42“He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now if He wants Him.† For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
44In the same way, even the robbers who were crucified with Him berated Him.
The Death of Jesus
(Psalms 22:1–31; Mark 15:33–41; Luke 23:44–49; John 19:28–30)
45From the sixth hour until the ninth hour† darkness came over all the land. 46About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,† lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”†
47When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He is calling Elijah.” 48One of them quickly ran and brought a sponge. He filled it with sour wine,† put it on a reed, and held it up for Jesus to drink.†
49But the others said, “Leave Him alone. Let us see if Elijah comes to save Him.”†
50When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit. 51At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split.
The tombs broke open: At the moment of...
The tombs broke open: At the moment of the death of Jesus, God’s kingdom broke into the world in a new way. His death destroyed the power of death and began the promise of final resurrection (see Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2; 1 Corinthians 15:1–58; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 2:14–15).
Some holy people were raised to life. But they may not have entered Jerusalem until after Jesus rose from the dead. Another view is that they were not raised until after Jesus’s resurrection, since Jesus is the “firstfruits” (the first to be raised, showing what will come for others; see 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23; Colossians 1:18). If this second view is correct, Matthew included the story to show the great impact of the death of Jesus.
The tombs broke open: At the moment of the death of Jesus, God’s kingdom broke into the world in a new way. His death destroyed the power of death and began the promise of final resurrection (see Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2; 1 Corinthians 15:1–58; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 2:14–15).
Some holy people were raised to life. But they may not have entered Jerusalem until after Jesus rose from the dead. Another view is that they were not raised until after Jesus’s resurrection, since Jesus is the “firstfruits” (the first to be raised, showing what will come for others; see 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23; Colossians 1:18). If this second view is correct, Matthew included the story to show the great impact of the death of Jesus.
52The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53After Jesus’ resurrection, when they had come out of the tombs, they entered the holy city and appeared to many people.
54When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.”
55And many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to minister to Him. 56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
The Burial of Jesus
(Isaiah 53:9–12; Mark 15:42–47; Luke 23:50–56; John 19:38–42)
57When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who himself was a disciple of Jesus. 58He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
Burial customs were important in Judaism, unlike the...
Burial customs were important in Judaism, unlike the Greeks and Romans who cremated their dead. Jews considered leaving a body unburied to be a severe punishment (Deuteronomy 21:22–23; 2 Kings 9:37; Psalm 79:3; Jeremiah 16:4, 6; Ezekiel 29:5; Revelation 11:9).
People mourned and lamented death (Mark 5:38–39). They washed the body (Acts 9:37). They anointed the body (Matt 26:6–13; John 12:3, 7; 19:39). And they wrapped the body in burial cloths (Matthew 27:59; see Genesis 50:2–3). Then they placed the body in a tomb (Matthew 23:27). This tomb was either tunneled into rock or carved into a cave wall. A large stone often sealed the tomb to prevent ceremonial uncleanness or stealing.
clean linen … new tomb: These terms symbolize ceremonial purity. Joseph of Arimathea bought the tomb for his family, but had not used it.
Burial customs were important in Judaism, unlike the Greeks and Romans who cremated their dead. Jews considered leaving a body unburied to be a severe punishment (Deuteronomy 21:22–23; 2 Kings 9:37; Psalm 79:3; Jeremiah 16:4, 6; Ezekiel 29:5; Revelation 11:9).
People mourned and lamented death (Mark 5:38–39). They washed the body (Acts 9:37). They anointed the body (Matt 26:6–13; John 12:3, 7; 19:39). And they wrapped the body in burial cloths (Matthew 27:59; see Genesis 50:2–3). Then they placed the body in a tomb (Matthew 23:27). This tomb was either tunneled into rock or carved into a cave wall. A large stone often sealed the tomb to prevent ceremonial uncleanness or stealing.
clean linen … new tomb: These terms symbolize ceremonial purity. Joseph of Arimathea bought the tomb for his family, but had not used it.
59So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut into the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
The Guards at the Tomb
This event supports the truth of Jesus resurrection....
This event supports the truth of Jesus resurrection. It is very unlikely that Matthew invented the story, because many witnesses were alive who could have denied it.
62The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and Pharisees assembled before Pilate. 63“Sir,” they said, “we remember that while He was alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64So give the order that the tomb be secured until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come and steal Him away and tell the people He has risen from the dead. And this last deception would be worse than the first.”
65“You have a guard,” Pilate said. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66So they went and secured the tomb by sealing the stone and posting the guard.