Matthew27
King James Version · Public Domain
1 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
10 And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.
11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,
34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
36 And sitting down they watched him there;
37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.
48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:
58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
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Matthew 27Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Matthew 27. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Christ delivered to Pilate, The despair of Judas. (1–10). Christ before Pilate. (11–25). Barabbas loosed, Christ mocked. (26–30). Christ led to be crucified. (31–34). He is crucified. (35–44). The death of Christ. (45–50). Events at the crucifixion. (51–56). The burial of Christ. (57–61). The sepulchre secured. (62–66).
vv1-10
Wicked men see little of the consequences of their crimes when they commit them, but they must answer for them all. In the fullest manner Judas acknowledged to the chief priests that he had sinned, and betrayed an innocent person. This was full testimony to the character of Christ; but the rulers were hardened. Casting down the money, Judas departed, and went and hanged himself, not being able to bear the terror of Divine wrath, and the anguish of despair. There is little doubt but that the death of Judas was before that of our blessed Lord. But was it nothing to them that they had thirsted after this blood, and hired Judas to betray it, and had condemned it to be shed unjustly? Thus do fools make a mock at sin. Thus many make light of Christ crucified. And it is a common instance of the deceitfulness of our hearts, to make light of our own sin by dwelling upon other people's sins. But the judgment of God is according to truth. Many apply this passage of the buying the piece of ground, with the money Judas brought back, to signify the favour intended by the blood of Christ to strangers, and sinners of the Gentiles. It fulfilled a prophecy, Zec 11:12. Judas went far toward repentance, yet it was not to salvation. He confessed, but not to God; he did not go to him, and say, I have sinned, Father, against heaven. Let none be satisfied with such partial convictions as a man may have, and yet remain full of pride, enmity, and rebellion.
vv11-25
Having no malice against Jesus, Pilate urged him to clear himself, and laboured to get him discharged. The message from his wife was a warning. God has many ways of giving checks to sinners, in their sinful pursuits, and it is a great mercy to have such checks from Providence, from faithful friends, and from our own consciences. O do not this abominable thing which the Lord hates! is what we may hear said to us, when we are entering into temptation, if we will but regard it. Being overruled by the priests, the people made choice of Barabbas. Multitudes who choose the world, rather than God, for their ruler and portion, thus choose their own delusions. The Jews were so bent upon the death of Christ, that Pilate thought it would be dangerous to refuse. And this struggle shows the power of conscience even on the worst men. Yet all was so ordered to make it evident that Christ suffered for no fault of his own, but for the sins of his people. How vain for Pilate to expect to free himself from the guilt of the innocent blood of a righteous person, whom he was by his office bound to protect! The Jews' curse upon themselves has been awfully answered in the sufferings of their nation. None could bear the sin of others, except Him that had no sin of his own to answer for. And are we not all concerned? Is not Barabbas preferred to Jesus, when sinners reject salvation that they may retain their darling sins, which rob God of his glory, and murder their souls? The blood of Christ is now upon us for good, through mercy, by the Jews' rejection of it. O let us flee to it for refuge!
vv26-30
Crucifixion was a death used only among the Romans; it was very terrible and miserable. A cross was laid on the ground, to which the hands and feet were nailed, it was then lifted up and fixed upright, so that the weight of the body hung on the nails, till the sufferer died in agony. Christ thus answered the type of the brazen serpent raised on a pole. Christ underwent all the misery and shame here related, that he might purchase for us everlasting life, and joy, and glory.
Key Words
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
πρωΐα (prōḯa): day-dawn
γίνομαι (gínomai): to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
πᾶς (pâs): all, any, every, the whole
ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús): the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πρεσβύτερος (presbýteros): older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or Christian "presbyter"
λαός (laós): a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace)
λαμβάνω (lambánō): while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove))
συμβούλιον (symboúlion): advisement; specially, a deliberative body, i.e. the provincial assessors or lay-court
Cross References
Matthew 27Provides historical and physical details of the graphic, tragic end of the betrayer Judas.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Explicit fulfillment of the prophecy concerning the thirty pieces of silver cast to the potter.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Prophetic fulfillment of offering vinegar mingled with gall/mustard on the cross.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Directly quoted as the prophetic fulfillment of soldiers casting lots for His garments.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The mockers' exact words of derision fulfill the prophetic description of the Messiah's suffering.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Jesus quotes this Psalm verbatim in Hebrew to express His agony of abandonment on the cross.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Darius sealed Daniel's den with a signet, mirroring the Jewish leaders sealing the tomb of Jesus.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Ahithophel, David's betrayer, typifies Judas by hanging himself in despair and remorse.
Supported by JFB
Underlying Old Testament prophecy for the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him valued.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Christ fulfills the prophecy of the silent, uncomplaining Lamb led to the slaughter.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Fulfills the prophecy of being numbered with the transgressors by crucifixion between two thieves.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Messianic psalm matching the exact physical gestures of those who passed by wagging their heads.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Underlies the mockers' accusation regarding Jesus' saying about destroying and rebuilding the temple.
Supported by John Calvin
Giving Jesus vinegar on a reed directly fulfills the prophetic detail of this Messianic Psalm.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Explains the theological significance of the rent temple veil as opening access to God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Fulfills the prophecy that the Messiah would be with a rich man in His death.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The temple prediction where Jesus explicitly said, 'in three days I will raise it up.'
Supported by John Calvin
The direct sequel, showing the posted Roman watch reporting the resurrection and being bribed.
Supported by John Calvin
Kings and rulers take counsel together against the Lord and His Anointed Messiah.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the delivery to Pilate's judgment hall and the hypocritical fear of ceremonial defilement.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Peter charges the crowd with denying the Holy One and desiring a murderer instead.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Old Testament law requiring elders to wash hands to declare innocence of blood.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Prophecy of giving His back to the smiters and cheek to spitting.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Theological fulfillment of Jesus suffering outside the gate, matching old covenant sin offering types.
Supported by John Calvin
Synoptic parallel detailing the wine mingled with myrrh offered to stupefy pain.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel account of Pilate's refusal to change the written accusation.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel details regarding Jesus' thirst, the sponge of vinegar, and His final cry.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallel account recording Jesus' final words as He yielded up His spirit.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Details the construction of the temple veil that was miraculously rent at Christ's death.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Identifies the women, including Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, who stayed through the burial.
Supported by JFB
Defines the 'day of the preparation' as the day before the Sabbath, explaining Matthew's chronology.
Supported by John Calvin
Jesus' explicit public sign of Jonah, prophecy of being three days in the earth.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Judas exemplifies worldly sorrow that produces death rather than godly repentance leading to life.
Supported by JFB
Lawful prohibition of putting the price of an abomination into the house of God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul commends Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession.
Supported by JFB
Peter's affirmation of Christ's complete sinlessness despite Pilate's unjust sentence.
Supported by Matthew Henry