Description

Matthew 27: Betrayal, Crucifixion, and Resurrection

Matthew 27 narrates the dramatic events leading up to and including the crucifixion of Jesus. It details Judas's remorse and suicide, Jesus's trial before Pilate, the crowd's demand for his crucifixion, his mockery by Roman soldiers, and ultimately, his death and burial. The chapter is rich with themes of betrayal, injustice, mob mentality, suffering, and the fulfillment of prophecy, and ends with the sealing of Jesus's tomb.

II. Key Themes and Ideas:

1. Betrayal and Remorse:

• Judas's Suicide: Judas, overwhelmed with remorse after betraying Jesus, returns the 30 pieces of silver and ultimately hangs himself. This act highlights the devastating consequences of betrayal.
• "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. 'I have sinned,' he said, 'for I have betrayed innocent blood.'"
• Rejection of Responsibility: The chief priests show no empathy for Judas’s remorse, and refuse to take responsibility for Judas's action. "‘What is that to us?’ they replied. ‘That’s your responsibility.’"

1. Injustice and Political Expediency:

• Pilate's Predicament: Pilate, the Roman governor, is caught between his desire to release Jesus (believing him innocent) and the pressure from the Jewish leaders and the crowd. His desire to avoid unrest ultimately leads to him condemning Jesus.
• "For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him."
• Mob Mentality: The crowd is easily swayed by the chief priests and elders to demand the release of Barabbas, a prisoner, and to call for Jesus's crucifixion. This underscores the dangers of unchecked mob rule.
• "But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed."
• Pilate Washing His Hands: Pilate's symbolic act of washing his hands attempts to absolve him from guilt, but ultimately demonstrates his moral weakness and complicity.
• "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!’"
• The Crowd Accepts Guilt: The crowd takes full responsibility for Jesus's death: "All the people answered, 'His blood is on us and on our children!'"

1. Suffering and Humiliation:

• Mockery and Abuse: Jesus is brutally mocked, humiliated, and physically abused by the Roman soldiers. They put a crown of thorns on him, beat him, and mock his claim to be King of the Jews. This displays the cruelty he faced.
• "They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again."
• The Crucifixion: Jesus is crucified between two criminals, undergoing immense suffering on the cross.
• Continued Mockery on the Cross: Jesus is taunted and challenged by those around him while on the cross, showcasing the lack of understanding of his mission.

1. Prophecy Fulfilled:

• Judas's betrayal and the field of blood: The account refers back to Old Testament prophesy being fulfilled in the events surrounding Judas's act and the use of the money to purchase the potter's field.
• "Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”"
• Jesus's Cry of Forsakenness: Jesus's cry on the cross echoes Psalm 22, fulfilling another prophecy. “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” )

1. Signs and Portents:

• Darkness and Earthquake: At Jesus' death, supernatural events occur – darkness covers the land, an earthquake splits rocks, and the curtain in the temple is torn in two. These dramatic occurrences are meant to emphasize the significance of Jesus’s death.
• "From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open."
• Resurrection of Holy People: The raising to life of the dead after Jesus’s resurrection symbolizes a new era and new life to be found through Jesus. "The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people."

1. Recognition of Jesus's Divine Nature:

• The Centurion's Declaration: The Roman centurion, witnessing the events surrounding Jesus's death, recognizes Jesus as the Son of God.
• "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!’"

1. Burial and Security:

• Joseph of Arimathea: A wealthy follower of Jesus ensures his proper burial in a new tomb. This also fulfills Old Testament prophecy concerning the burial of the messiah.
• Guarding the Tomb: The chief priests and Pharisees, fearful of Jesus’ followers faking a resurrection, secure the tomb with a seal and guards. This sets the stage for the resurrection account in the next chapter, and showcases the continued disbelief in the claims of Jesus being the Messiah.