Matthew 27 The Betrayal and Crucifixion of Jesus

1 Judas Hangs Himself
Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death.

2 They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.

3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders.

4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”

5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

6 The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.”

7 So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners.

8 That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day.

9 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel,

10 and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”

11 Jesus Before Pilate
Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.

12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.

13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?”

14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd.

16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas.

17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”

18 For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.

19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.
“Barabbas,” they answered.

22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked.
They all answered, “Crucify him!”

23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

25 All the people answered, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!”

26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

27 The Soldiers Mock Jesus
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him.

28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,

29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said.

30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.

31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

32 The Crucifixion
As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.

33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull).

34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.

35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.

37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.

38 Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads

40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”

41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him.

42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.

43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”

44 In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

45 The Death of Jesus
From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.

46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.

49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.

52 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.

53 They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.

56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

57 The Burial of Jesus
As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus.

58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.

59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

62 The Guard at the Tomb
The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.

63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’

64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”

65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.”

66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Previous Chapter Matthew 26 Next Chapter Matthew 28

Analysis of Matthew Chapter 27

Matthew Chapter 27 is one of the most pivotal chapters in the New Testament as it narrates the climax of Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry: His trial, crucifixion, death, and burial. This chapter is both somber and profoundly significant, offering rich theological insight and a deep understanding of Christian doctrines regarding atonement, sacrifice, and redemption. The narrative unfolds with a series of dramatic events that fulfill ancient prophecies and establish the foundation of Christian faith. Below is a detailed analysis of Matthew Chapter 27, exploring its intricate details and theological nuances.

The Morning Trial of Jesus (Verses 1-2)

The chapter opens with the conclusion of the preliminary trials that occurred during the night. As morning arrives, the chief priests and elders finalize their decision to put Jesus to death.

Verse 1: “When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed.”
Verse 2: “So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.”

Here, we see the culmination of the religious leaders’ plots against Jesus. Binding Him and sending Him to Pilate shows their desperation to legitimize their decision with Roman authority. This sets the stage for the legal trial under Roman jurisdiction, emphasizing the collaborative malice aimed at Jesus from both Jewish and Roman authorities.

The Remorse and Death of Judas (Verses 3-10)

Verse 3: “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders.”
Verse 4: “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”
Verse 5: “So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.”
Verses 6-10: The chief priests use the thirty pieces of silver to buy the potter’s field, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 11:12-13.

Judas’ remorse and tragic end underscore the gravity of his betrayal. His acknowledgment of Jesus’ innocence contrasts with the persistent hardness of heart shown by the religious leaders. This segment vividly portrays the destructive power of guilt and sin, while also highlighting fulfilled prophecy that underscores God’s sovereign plan even in the midst of human wickedness.

Jesus Before Pilate (Verses 11-26)

Verse 11: “Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ ‘You have said so,’ Jesus replied.”
Verses 12-14: Accusations from the chief priests and elders bring silence from Jesus, fulfilling Isaiah 53:7, the prophecy of the suffering servant.
Verses 15-18: Pilate offers the release of a prisoner (Jesus or Barabbas), understanding that jealousy motivated the leaders’ actions.
Verses 19-23: Pilate’s wife’s dream and the crowd’s insistence on Barabbas’ release reveal the spiritual and moral conflicts surrounding Jesus’ trial.
Verses 24-26: Pilate symbolically washes his hands, indicating his attempt to absolve himself from the responsibility of Jesus’ death.

Jesus’ trial before Pilate exemplifies His kingship and messianic identity. Pilate’s hesitance and the crowd’s demands emphasize the intense pressure and fear in the face of popular judgment. Jesus’ composed silence and Pilate’s vacillation illustrate the contrasting characters involved in the convergence of divine and earthly justice. This segment highlights the interaction between divine purpose and human agency in the passion narrative.

The Mocking and Crucifixion of Jesus (Verses 27-44)

Verse 27: “Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him.”
Verses 28-31: The soldiers mock Jesus, dressing Him in a scarlet robe, placing a crown of thorns on His head, and ridiculing His claim to kingship.
Verses 32: Simon of Cyrene is compelled to carry Jesus’ cross, ensuring He reaches Golgotha, the place of crucifixion.
Verses 33-34: Jesus is offered wine mixed with gall; He tastes it but refuses to drink, signaling His acceptance of His sacrificial role.
Verses 35-37: The soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ garments and the charge against Him is placed above His head: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
Verses 38-44: Two rebels are crucified alongside Jesus; He is mocked by passersby, chief priests, teachers of the law, elders, and even the insurgents crucified with Him.

This segment is saturated with irony and fulfills numerous messianic prophecies. The soldiers’ mockery, the crucifixion process, and the public ridicule highlight the extent of Jesus’ humiliation and suffering. The narrative reveals the paradox of divine kingship manifesting through the ultimate act of self-humbling and sacrificial love. By refusing the gall, Jesus chooses to fully embrace the suffering appointed to Him, signifying His volitional participation in God’s redemptive plan.

The Death of Jesus (Verses 45-56)

Verse 45: “From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.”
Verse 46: “About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ (which means ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’).”
Verses 47-49: Misunderstanding Jesus’ cry, bystanders think He is calling for Elijah. They wait to see if Elijah will save Him.
Verse 50: “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.”
Verses 51-53: At Jesus’ death, supernatural signs accompany: the temple veil is torn in two, an earthquake occurs, rocks split, tombs break open, and holy people are raised from the dead.
Verses 54-56: The centurion and those with him declare Jesus to be the Son of God, and women followers watch from a distance.

These verses depict the cosmic significance of Jesus’ death. The darkness that covers the land symbolizes divine judgment and the anguish of Jesus reflected in His cry, echoing Psalm 22. The veil tearing signifies the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, ushering a new era of direct access to God through Jesus’ sacrificial death. The accompanying supernatural events testify to Jesus’ divine identity and the eschatological impact of His crucifixion. The Roman centurion’s declaration and the presence of faithful women exemplify the recognition of Jesus’ lordship even in death.

The Burial of Jesus (Verses 57-66)

Verses 57-58: “As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.”
Verses 59-60: “Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.”
Verses 61: “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.”
Verses 62-66: The chief priests and Pharisees secure Pilate’s permission to place a guard at the tomb and seal the stone, fearing that Jesus’ disciples might steal His body and claim He had risen.

Joseph of Arimathea’s actions illustrate the reverence and care taken for Jesus’ body, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9, which speaks of the Messiah being buried with the rich. The presence of the women underscores their loyalty and significant role in the passion narrative. The sealing and guarding of the tomb in an attempt to prevent deception ironically set the stage for the undeniable truth of the resurrection, which is to follow. These steps taken by Jesus’ opponents highlight the extent to which they go to suppress the truth, but in vain, illustrating the invincible power of divine providence.

Conclusion

Matthew Chapter 27 is the harrowing yet redemptive story of Jesus’ path to the cross. This chapter serves as a theological goldmine, enriched with profound meanings and fulfilled prophecies that underscore the seriousness and profundity of Jesus’ sacrificial death. Each event intricately connects to the overarching narrative of salvation, making this chapter indispensable to understanding the core of Christian faith. Jesus’ trial, crucifixion, death, and burial collectively reveal the magnitude of His love and the depth of human sin, ultimately pointing toward the hope of resurrection and eternal life through His victory over death.

Understanding the Key Messages in Matthew 27: Insights and Explanation

In this chapter, Jesus is delivered to Pilate and condemned to be crucified. He is mocked by the soldiers and forced to carry his own cross. Jesus is crucified between two criminals, and darkness covers the land. He dies and is buried in a new tomb.