Matthew Chapter 27
They tried the Lord Jesus at night and then waited until morning. The motive was unclear why they waited until morning but it was clear that the chief priests and elders had decided to put Jesus to death. There wasn't enough room in the world for them and the Lord Jesus.
Why did they need Pilate? The religious leaders did not have a legal right to put someone to death so they needed the Romans to kill Jesus.
When Judas saw the result of his betrayal he felt remorse. Evidently this was not a remorse in the sense that he repented because the next thing he did was hang himself. He also returned the blood money which the religious leaders then used to buy a cemetery.
Judas saw Jesus condemned. Whatever reason Judas had for his betrayal failed and Judas felt remorse. He did not repent in the same sense that Peter repented. Judas felt a remorse which led him to suicide. The religious leaders were no comfort to his tormented soul.
Pilate was amazed at the response the Lord Jesus made to his accusers, which was to remain silent. It took divine strength to remain silent when people accused him and threatened his life. How difficult it would be for me not to defend myself. It was very hard to do. It was hard to stay silent and allow people to walk over him. I have failed many times in keeping my mouth shut but the Lord Jesus succeeded. Pilate was amazed at him and how he continued steadfastly to submit throughout this fake trial.
What they thought was weakness was really the strength of the Lord Jesus. He answered nothing.
Pilate was struck by the behavior of Jesus. No doubt the innocence of Jesus stood out in stark contrast to the criminals he had judged previously.
Pilate did not want anything to do with the Lord Jesus or with his accusers but he was stuck. He tried to escape a decision by offering the accusers a choice between Barabbas, a murderer, and Jesus. The people chose Barabbas over Jesus.
This was a foreshadowing of how people will choose the Antichrist over the Lord Jesus.
The people demanded that Jesus be crucified and his blood be upon them.
Crucifixion was abhorrent to these people. It was amazing that they not only asked for Barabbas but also demanded the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. The chief priests persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas but something else moved in that crowd when they cried "Let him be crucified".
Pilate washed his hands in water in an attempt to remove his guilt. This could not remove his sin. Pilate was guilty, too. They were all guilty.
In the same way that the Lord Jesus took the place of Barabbas he also takes our place.
The Lord Jesus suffered at the hands of the religious leaders and now suffered at the hands of the Romans.
Pilate handed the Lord Jesus over to the soldiers to be crucified. The soldiers mocked Jesus by putting a robe on him and a crown of thorns on his head. They put a rod in his hand and bowed to him and said, "Hail king of the Jews". They spit on him and hit him with the rod then they lead him out to crucify him.
One remarkable fact about the scene of the Lord's crucifixion was the statements people made about him when they mocked him. They clearly testified that it was common knowledge that the Lord Jesus said he was the Son of God. This was a question we need to ask ourselves today, just as others have pointed out: either he is the Son of God or he is not.
When Jesus hung on the cross the soldiers cast lots for his clothes which was a fulfillment of prophecy.
The accusation set over his head: "This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews".
They did not understand why the Lord Jesus came. He did not come to save himself but came instead to save us.
Darkness covered the land and there was an earthquake. The Roman centurion standing there believed and declared, "Truly this was the Son of God".
Joseph of Arimathea received permission from Pilate to remove the body of Jesus from the cross and bury him. Joseph buried Jesus in his own tomb.
It is significant this was a new tomb. There was no other body in the tomb. When the Lord Jesus resurrected there was no mistake who it was that came out of the grave.
The enemies of the Lord knew he said he would rise again the third day. It is interesting they were more alarmed about this than the disciples. As a result they petitioned to have Roman guards seal and guard the tomb until the third day.
This Roman seal and guard ensured it was impossible that the disciples of the Lord Jesus could steal his body. In this way the religious leaders and Romans help solidify the facts surrounding the resurrection of Jesus and provided further proof he was risen indeed.
