Matthew 27:11
King of the
Jews. Pilate, the Roman governor, asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews. Pilate was mocking Jesus by asking this but Jesus affirms that it is true. The Jewish leaders will also mock Jesus with this statement (Matt. 27:42). This claim will become the charge of treason against the Roman Empire that is put above Jesus' head when he was crucified (Matt. 27:37).
Matthew 27:12
He
answered nothing. Jesus was unwilling to respond to the false accusations of the chief priest and elders but he affirmed to Pilate that he was the true king (Matt. 26:63; 27:14).
Matthew 27:15
custom of the
governor to
release one prisoner. Each year Pilate released one Jewish prisoner, probably to help appease the Jewish people who were oppressed by the Roman Empire and did not like Pilate's rule.
Matthew 27:18
Because of envy. Pilate rightly perceived that the chief priest, elders, and scribes were jealous of Jesus' popularity and power (Matt. 7:28-29; 21:5; 26:5).
Matthew 27:19
I have
suffered much today because of a
dream. As happened around Jesus' birth, so too at Jesus' death did God sent dreams to reveal the truth of who Jesus was. God revealed to Pilate's wife that Jesus was innocent.
Matthew 27:24
Washed his
hands in
front of the
crowd. The public washing of hands was a symbolic act that communicated that Pilate disagreed and was not responsible for Jesus' death.
Matthew 27:26
He
scourged Jesus. The Romans often punished criminals by tying them to a pillar and whipping them harshly with weighted leather straps.
Matthew 27:28-29
Scarlet robe …
crown of
thorns …
staff. The Roman soldiers used the parts of a king's wardrobe to mock Jesus for claiming to be a king.
Matthew 27:32
Carry his cross. A condemned prisoner was often forced to carry his own crucifixion pole as final punishment and shame. Jesus was apparently too wounded from his beatings to do so and so the Roman soldiers forced a man from the crowd to carry it on behalf of Jesus.
Matthew 27:33
Golgotha. Golgotha means "skull" in Aramaic. It was the name of hill just outside of the Jerusalem gates that resembled a skull. On this hill the Romans crucified prisoners in a public way as a warning to any who would rebel against them.
Matthew 27:34
Wine to
drink mixed with
gall. As a final act of mercy, crucified prisoners were sometimes given a drink that had a narcotic effect, usually a wine mixed with some sort of herb or poppy. When he had tasted it, Jesus refused the drink, as he told his disciples he would not drink wine until he did so again when he brings the kingdom from heaven to earth (Matt. 26:29).
Jesus' Crucifixion - Matthew 27:35-44
Matthew particularly highlights the mocking, insults, and false accusations that Jesus endured during his last night and his crucifixion. Ironically, Jesus' enemies unintentionally said many true things about Jesus in their mocking — that he is the Son of God, that he saved others, that is the King of Israel, and that he trusts in God.
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