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MATTHEW 27
This part of Jesus’ life has real application to our own. What took place at the end of Jesus’ life is a spring board for what we are to do in our own life as a follow of Christ. Prepare your hearts to receive all that Jesus given for you and how your life will have made His death not in vain.
Chapter 27
Judas Hangs Himself
1 Very early in the morning the leading priests and the elders met again to lay plans for putting Jesus to death.2 Then they bound him, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders.4 “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”5 Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.6 The leading priests picked up the coins. “It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the Temple treasury,” they said, “since it was payment for murder.” 7 After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter’s field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners.8 That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood.9 This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah that says,
“They took the thirty pieces of silver— the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel,10 and purchased the potter’s field, as the Lord directed. ”
Jesus’ Trial before Pilate
11 Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. “Are you the king of the Jews?” the governor asked him. Jesus replied, “You have said it.”12 But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent.13 “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded.14 But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.15 Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted.16 This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas. 17 As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”18 (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.)19 Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.”20 Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death.21 So the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release to you?” The crowd shouted back, “Barabbas!”22 Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!”23 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”24 Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!”25 And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and our children!” 26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
27 Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment.28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him.29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!”30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it.31 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
The Crucifixion
32 Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross.33 And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”).34 The soldiers gave him wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.35 After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. 36 Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there.37 A sign was fastened to the cross above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”38 Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.39 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery.40 “Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!”41 The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus.42 “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him!43 He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”44 Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way.
The Death of Jesus
45 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock.46 At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”47 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah.48 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink.49 But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.” 50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit.51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart,52 and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead.53 They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.54 The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”55 And many women who had come from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching from a distance.56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.
The Burial of Jesus
57 As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus,58 went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him.59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth.60 He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left.61 Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching.
The Guard at the Tomb
62 The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate.63 They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’64 So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.”65 Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.”66 So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.
Matt 27:1-66 (NLT)
There are many scripture references that prophecy of what Jesus, our Messiah, our salvation, would experience when He came as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world. One is found in the Psalm, written by David. David may have experienced some it himself, but even Jesus quotes from it, which shows its fulfillment was also for Him. Often times in scripture, a warning or a prophecy, had both a near and a future fulfillment. It was spoken of for the people living at the time in regards to their own circumstances, but would also have great meaning for another time in history. Let these words sink deep into your inner being as you realize how Jesus suffered and that He did it willingly to save us. Remember when He was arrested He said that He could many legions of angels down. While He was suffering He could have called it quits by just one command. It is hard to imagine how much control that took to stay and suffer, all the while knowing it could be over right away by asking the angels to come and minister to Him, to get Him out of there. He had a future vision of what it would mean for so many people to have their sins forgiven, and that was His motivation, and because it was what His Father had desired as well.
Psalm 22
For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune “Doe of the Dawn.”
1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?2 Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief.
3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.4 Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them.5 They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you and were never disgraced.
6 But I am a worm and not a man. I am scorned and despised by all!7 Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads, saying,8 “Is this the one who relies on the Lord? Then let the Lord save him! If the Lord loves him so much, let the Lord rescue him!”
9 Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast.10 I was thrust into your arms at my birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born.
11 Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me.12 My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls; fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in!13 Like lions they open their jaws against me, roaring and tearing into their prey.14 My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me.15 My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.16 My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet.17 I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat.18 They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.
19 O Lord, do not stay far away! You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!20 Save me from the sword; spare my precious life from these dogs.21 Snatch me from the lion’s jaws and from the horns of these wild oxen.
22 I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.23 Praise the Lord, all you who fear him! Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob! Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel!24 For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.
25 I will praise you in the great assembly. I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.26 The poor will eat and be satisfied. All who seek the Lord will praise him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.27 The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him.28 For royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations.
29 Let the rich of the earth feast and worship. Bow before him, all who are mortal, all whose lives will end as dust.30 Our children will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.31 His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done. Psalms 22:1-31 (NLT)
These are not mere words that David wrote. He wrote the prophetic descriptions of what the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of David, would endure over a thousand years later. There are other prophecies and some are found in Isaiah; 50:6-7, 52:13-53:12 are some and are found below.
6 I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting.
7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. Isaiah 50:6-7 (NLT)
The Lord’s Suffering Servant
13 See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted.14 But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man.15 And he will startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they will see what they had not been told; they will understand what they had not heard about. Isaiah 52:13-15 (NLT)
1 Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?2 My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.3 He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.
4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.
7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.8 Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people.9 He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.
10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. Isaiah 53:1-12 (NLT)
THE EXALTATION OF THE SERVANT (52:13-53:12) Isaiah presented the fourth Servant Song, predicting that the Servant would die in the place of the guilty in order to satisfy God's judgment on sin. Early Jewish interpretation of this passage understood the "servant" (52:13) to refer to the Messiah. This also was the interpretation by the early church (cf. Acts 8:30-35). Not until the twelfth century was it suggested that the "servant" of Isaiah 53 was the nation of Israel. But the nation of Israel has not suffered innocently (53:9) or willingly (53:7). Nor did Israel's suffering provide substitutionary atonement (53:5).
The Messiah's resurrection, ascension, and exaltation were predicted in 52:13. For the disfigurement of Christ, see Matthew 27:28-31. The word "startle" (Isa. 52:15) is the translation of the Hebrew word for "ceremonial cleansing." The Messiah's death would effect a spiritual cleansing potentially applicable even for the Gentiles ("nations").
Redeemed Israel spoke in retrospect and explained why they rejected the Messiah, Jesus (53:1-3). The Messiah bore the consequences of Israel's sin although they did not realize it at the time. Sin is pictured here in terms of its results or consequences in people's lives—sickness and pain. Matthew used this text with reference to Jesus' healing ministry (see note on Matt. 8:17). The emphasis in 53:5 is on substitution. What Christ suffered, he suffered for believers ("our sins," "peace," and "healed"). The figure of straying sheep was used to describe the spiritual apostasy of Israel and all people (53:6; cf. Rom. 3:23). The Messiah Servant suffered willingly and silently (cf. Matt. 26:63; 27:11-14; Luke 23:9). The unjust judicial proceedings Christ was subjected to were reflected in 53:8. The Jewish Sanhedrin violated their own laws by (1) convening at the house of Caiaphas rather than the regular meeting place, (2) meeting at night rather than during the day, (3) convening on the eve of a Sabbath and a festival, (4) pronouncing the judgment the same day as the trial, and (5) ignoring the formalities allowing for the possibility of acquittal in cases involving a capital sentence. Although condemned with wicked criminals (the two thieves), Christ was buried in the tomb of a rich man (cf. Matt. 27:57-60).
The Servant Song concluded with God's promise to exalt his Servant because he did the Father's will in dying as a guilt offering (53:10-12; cf. Phil. 2:9-11). The "heirs" was a reference to Christ's spiritual progeny who would trust in his redemptive work. Because of Christ's suffering, many would be justified (cf. Rom. 5:1,18). —Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary
THE TRIALS: TWO CONTRADICTORY VERDICTS (26:57-27:26) Jesus was brought before the religious court of the Jews and then the civil court of Rome. The civil trial was necessary because the Jewish leaders did not have authority to execute the death penalty (John 18:31). His religious trial was before Annas (John 18:12-14), Caiaphas (Matt. 26:57), and then before the Sanhedrin (Mark 15:1). His civil trial was before Pilate, the Roman governor (Matt. 27:2), Herod Antipas (Luke 23:6-12), and once again before Pilate (Matt. 27:15-26).
The leaders brought false testimony against Jesus (26:57-68). Jesus' silence (26:63) was in fulfillment of Isaiah 53:7. Jesus combined Daniel 7:13 and Psalm 110:1 in his defense (Matt. 26:64). Tearing one's clothing (26:65) was a traditional sign of grief or mourning. Peter denied Jesus, just as had been predicted (26:69-75; cf. 26:31-35). Peter's Galilean accent suggested that he may have been one of Jesus' disciples (26:73).
The witnesses to Jesus' innocence came from surprising sources, Judas (27:3-10) and Pilate (27:11-26). Following the expulsion of Herod's son Archelaus from Judea in a.d. 6, Judea became a Roman Imperial Province governed by a Roman prefect (27:2). Pontius Pilate served as prefect from a.d. 26 to 36. He normally lived in Caesarea but stayed in Jerusalem during Jewish festivals to keep order. Pilate was staying in the "headquarters" (John 18:28), probably the Antonia Fortress, located just north of the temple area. The Jews did not have the authority to execute capital punishment, though they took it anyway several times (for example, cf. Acts 7:58). The message sent to Pilate from his wife while he was judging Jesus further attested his innocence (Matt. 27:19).
Judas's death fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 11:12-13. The "potter's field" (Matt. 27:7) was a section of property apparently used by the potters of Jerusalem to dig for clay. It was known in Acts 1:19 as "Akeldama," meaning "field of blood." In Matthew 27:9-10 Matthew quoted Zechariah 11:12-13 and alluded to Jeremiah 19:1-4 and 32:6-9. Composite quotations were often assigned to the more prominent author, in this case Jeremiah.
The Roman scourge, or whip, consisted of a short wooden handle to which several leather thongs were attached (Matt. 27:26). To the ends of the thongs were attached bits of lead, brass, or sharp bones. Josephus told of a man whose ribs were laid bare by scourging.
THE CRUCIFIXION (27:27-56) The Mockers of Jesus (27:27-44) Matthew connected those who insulted Jesus while he was on the cross with the fulfillment of Old Testament Scripture (cf. Isa. 53:3, 7). All the mocking was thematically similar. The mockers expected that if Jesus was the Messiah, he would be able to get off the cross. They were questioning his ability to fulfill the Messianic role that he claimed to be fulfilling. But the problem was not with Jesus' ability. It was with the people's conception of what the Messiah's role was. What looked to the unenlightened like a humiliating disaster was really the powerful work of God fulfilling his promise of redemption.
For more on the "headquarters" (27:27), see the note on 27:2. Simon (27:32) was from Cyrene, the capital of Cyrenaica, a Roman province located in North Africa. The name "Golgotha" (27:33) is Aramaic for "Skull Hill." The "gall" (27:34) was a bitter, and perhaps poisonous, herb. It has been suggested that this drink was given to the condemned to lessen the pain of crucifixion. The dividing of Jesus' clothes (27:35) was in fulfillment of Psalm 22:18.
The Believers in Jesus, the Son of God (27:45-56) "Until three o'clock" (Matt. 27:45) was from noon until 3:00 p.m. The words "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani" (27:46) are Aramaic for "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" They were quoted from Psalm 22:1. Some in the crowd mistook "Eloi" for "Elijah" (27:47). The "curtain," or veil (27:51), separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. According to Josephus it was ninety feet high. The tearing of the veil had great significance, for after the work of Jesus Christ the mediator was complete, the veil was no longer necessary to separate man from the holiness of God (cf. Heb. 10:19-20). Some people were raised through Christ's death and resurrection (Matt. 27:52; cf. 1 Cor. 15:20-23). Like Lazarus, they died again, but their resurrection marked off the dynamic witness of God's approval for his Son at this moment. —Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary
People in the medical field recognize that Jesus could not have had the nails driven through the palms of His hands, the weight would have torn right through them. There is a place in your wrist that is actually nail shaped. It has bones around it and would have held the weight of a body. Perhaps God designed our bodies for this very reason. Who knows?
Only John tells us of the last words spoken by Jesus. In John 19:30 we are told that Jesus said, “It is finished.” The Greek word for finish is, teleo, and means completion, end, realization of a perfect end. The word in Greek for finished then is tetelestai, which means to have brought to a complete, perfect end, and says the whole work of salvation had been brought to a completed end. He was not referring to His life coming to an end, but to the completion of a perfect work.
Chapter 28
The Resurrection
1 Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message.9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him.10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”
The Report of the Guard
11 As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened.12 A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe.13 They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’14 If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.”15 So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matt 28:1-20 (NLT)
Burial and Resurrection (27:57-28:15)
BURIAL AND SECURITY (27:57-66) Joseph was from Arimathea, a town of uncertain location (Matt. 27:57). He secured permission to bury Jesus in his own tomb. Jesus' burial in the tomb of a rich man took place in accordance with messianic prophecy (27:60; cf. Isa. 53:9). The securing of the grave with a sealed entrance and guards was an attempt to thwart the fulfillment of Jesus' prediction of his resurrection (Matt. 27:62-66). This was yet one more attempt to thwart God's work through Jesus. Such attempts to block the will of God had been seen earlier in Herod's murder of the babies in Bethlehem (2:13-18), the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (4:1-11), and Peter's denial that Jesus should die (16:21-23). But nothing would stop the fulfillment of God's plan.
RESURRECTION AND BRIBERY (28:1-15) The resurrection of Jesus was the sign of Jonah (cf. 12:39-40), the last public sign to the Jews that Jesus was who he claimed to be (28:6). The disciples were commanded to return to Galilee (28:7, 10). That command was delivered by an angel and by Jesus himself. Jesus appeared five times on resurrection day: (1) to Mary Magdalene (Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18), (2) to the other women (Matt. 28:8-10), (3) to Simon Peter (Luke 24:33-35; 1 Cor. 15:5), (4) to the two disciples (Mark 16:12-13; 'John 20:19-25).
Commission to the Community: Identity, Authority, and Presence (28:16-20)
As was true throughout Matthew's Gospel, even at the end some doubted Jesus' identity (Matt. 28:17). They doubted whether he was one whom they should worship. But to their doubts Jesus gave the proclamation of his authority and his presence (28:18-20). Matthew 28:19 could be translated, "As you are going, make disciples. . . ." The imperative was "make disciples." The "going" was assumed. This ministry extended to "all the nations," which was in keeping with the universal prospect of blessing in the Abrahamic covenant (cf. Gen. 12:2-3). The ministries to accompany making disciples included "baptizing" (identifying believers with a local assembly) and "teaching" (laying the foundation for application). Jesus would fulfill his name "Immanuel," meaning "God with us," by being present with his people through the work of the Holy Spirit "even to the end of the age" (28:20; cf. Acts 1:1-8; 2:1-4). Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary
THE END? OR JUST THE BEGINNING?
(Notes taken from David Arthur’s teaching on Matthew, Precept Ministries International)
In chapters 27 and 28 there are two questions and applications. What happened? What events? Why? Jesus is about to be crucified. He had been telling the disciples that he would go to Jerusalem, suffer at the hands of the chief priests and elders, be killed, and be raised on the third day.
Chapters 1-7 Jesus was teaching
Chapters 8-10 Jesus was in action
Chapters 11-13 Jesus was teaching more
Chapters 14-18 Jesus was in action
Chapters 19-25 Jesus was teaching
Chapters 26-28 Jesus in action.
Jesus teaches on the kingdom of God, then He acts on the kingdom of God. He heals to demonstrate the power. The end of the book of Matthew is the end God had designed with the action exactly as He had desired.
OBSERVATIONS:
Matthew 27:17-18 Pilate knew it was because of envy they’d handed Him over
Matthew 27:19 Pilate’s wife – have nothing to do with that righteous man. In God’s grace, He gave the warning in a dream.
Matthew 27:22-25 Pilate asked what to do with Jesus and the crowds shouted “Crucify” but Pilate asks, “What evil has He done?” The crowds don’t give a reason. Pilate washed his hands and claims he is innocent. The crowd replied “His blood shall be on us and our children.” That means to receive guilt of the murder or the consequences, we don’t care, just crucify Him. The crowd in essence is saying that we know He is innocent butcrucify Him anyway. It is ironic that the blood of Jesus saves us from our sins but the crowd is crying out for the opposite reason of destroying Him. Paul describes, in Ephesians 2:3, Colossians 1:21, and Romans 5:10 that we were enemies and Christ shed His blood for us.
Matthew 26:63-64 The high priest asks “Are you the Christ, the Son of God?” It is a very straight forward question? He is asking if He is the Messiah. Jesus answered, “You’ve said it yourself.” That means YES!
Matthew 27:11 The governor asked, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Again Jesus answers with YES! One of the reasons we know the Bible is true is Jesus doesn’t promote Himself but is confident in His position and who He is. God has the ones who are against Him proclaim, Who is He; that’s real power!
Matthew 27:12-14 While being accused, He didn’t answer.
They taunt Jesus with “Save Yourself”. But He is on the cross to save us! Even those who are mocking Him; He has taken their sin upon Himself.
Matthew 4:1-6 at the initiation of Christ’s ministry, He is about to pick up the mantel that John the Baptist laid down because He is in prison. Jesus
is driven into the wilderness, by the Holy Spirit and does not eat for forty days. The tempter, the devil, the enemy, says “If you are the Son of God
implying that He is not, and to prove it flex Your muscles, command these stones to become bread. “ Jesus answered, “Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Then the devil took Him to a pinnacle of the temple and said, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.” Now Jesus hears the voice of Satan in Matthew 27:40, through the mockers. Jesus is not on the cross as a victim. He isn’t pinned to that tree against His will. He isn’t just some Galilean who said he’d take it for the people. He is willingly pinned to shame.
Matthew 26:36-39 is a dialogue between Jesus and the Father. In His overwhelming grief not just because of the pain of the nails and scourgings but because of the sins piled on His pure and holy self. He asks if there is any way the cup can pass from Him, but without pause He says “Not My will but Your will be done.”
Matthew 27:46 Jesus cries out “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Matthew 27:50 He cries out again, and we see the words in John 19:30 “It is finished.” It is paid in full. Then He yielded up His spirit.
Matthew 27:51-53 The veil in the temple was torn in two. This was a heavy and multiple layered curtain. No man could even reach the top of it. Can you imagine the guys who were in the temple that day? They know what is on the other side of the veil. It is the Holy of Holies, and only one day a year was one person allowed to enter in after much sacrifice and cleansing. Then to make sure, they tied a rope around his leg and if they didn’t hear bells on his robe, they’d yank it to see if he’d yank back. If he didn’t they would know he wasn’t clean and therefore had died. Everything went dark on this day and the tremendous sound of the curtain being ripped from top to bottom. The earth shook in Jerusalem on the top of the mountain. It reminds us of Mt. Sinai, Exodus 20:18-19, with God and Moses talking. When God spoke the mountain moved and the people responded not to let Him speak again or we will die. At the moment Jesus yielded up His spirit the rocks split. And beyond the cosmic, the tombs opened. And after the resurrection the dead bodies came out alive. They entered into the holy city and appeared to many. The text here just grabs you and says “Do you realize what has happened?” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died. The Son has been forsaken by the Father and the Holy Spirit. The earth can’t take it.
It is always hard to see the beginning. In Matthew 1:1 we have the genealogy of Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham. It is not just another Galilean claiming to have the way out of oppression, saying he will work it out with the Roman government. This is Messiah, the One in Whom all families of the earth will be blessed. In Matthew 1:20-23 Joseph, the angel told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, for the child conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit, He will be the Son of God, and to call His name Jesus, Yeshua-God saves. For He will save His people from their sins, fulfills Isaiah 7:14’s prophecy that a virgin with child, will bear a son, call Him Immanuel-God with us. Why did it have to happen this way? Why couldn’t Jesus just come in and set up the kingdom? Because He was to save His people. If you were a contemporary of Jesus, how would you fill in the blank. Save His people from ____________? He is here to save His people from their sins. How else would you do that?
It is for us and it is because of us.
Matthew 11:19 Why didn’t the Jews get it? Why didn’t they see Jesus for who He was? They were the ones with the Old Testament, they had been reading about Him on a regular basis, they were expecting the Messiah to come someday. But they instead called Him a gluttonous man, a drunkard, a friend of sinners.
In Matthew 9:32-34 they said He cast out demons by the ruler of demons.
In Matthew 10:25 they said it was by the power of Beelzebul- Satan who gives Him power.
In Matthew 13:13 a prophecy is fulfilled-seeing, they don’t see; hearing, the don’t hear nor understand. The irony is that Jesus went to the cross because of the way they saw Him incorrectly. Do we see Jesus correctly? Does our Christian culture know Who Jesus really is? David Arthur investigated different churches. In some cultures Jesus is a therapist in a sweater vest who just wants to listen to your problems and pat you on the head to say it will be just fine. Then they just go back to living in rebellion against their King. Some portray Him as some hip cool guy that likes to curse while preaching - there are actually some pastors who teach that is what Jesus would do. They say that Jesus would hang out with the homeless and street people, He was a man of the street. Some say He is a buddy, a good pal. He isn’t any of this. He is our King of King and Lord of Lords. He is holy, pure, spotless, and blameless. If we were back there, would we be blind or would we see Who HE is? We now have the whole Word of God that explains Him. He has revealed Himself to us.
In Colossians 2:8, 13-14 Paul is writing to the church, he says don’t caught up in rules, don’t be taken captive by tradition; you were dead in your transgressions and uncircumcision, two things that place you outside the camp and not in the family of God. He made you alive together with Jesus. How? He forgave all your transgressions. When I was outside of the kingdom, in rebellion of God, He brought me back in, by forgiving me my sins. He did it by canceling the certificate of death consisting of decrees against us, taken it out, nailed it to the cross. He cancelled out – He blotted out – no erasures- no white out. It is a used papyrus if you want to recycle it. Blotted out meant that the papyrus would be scraped by a sharp object. The certificate was hand written. You wrote it out yourself and was typically as an IOU. Jesus nailed it to the cross. That showed everyone that every debt had now been paid for. We should think of ourselves and others as being forgiven the debt.
Galations 3:10-13 states that cursed is everyone who doesn’t abide by all things in the Law. No one is justified by the Law. It is evident that a righteous man shall live by faith. Law is not faith. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us. “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” Redeemed means purchased. We were bought with a great price. The Law shows us that are sinners. The Law is not bad. It points us to the right way. Romans 7:7, Law is very good and its role is to show us we are all sinners. Jesus cried out “It is finished.” Our sins were on Jesus and as He was nailed to the cross so were our sins. They died with Him. In 2 Corinthians 5:21- He who knew no sin became sin on our behalf. He is that parchment. When He said He’d take our sin and be nailed to a tree, it is how we go from darkness to light, from dead to alive together with God.
Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is a picture of the crucifixion. 53:4-6 He bore our griefs and sorrows, the chastening for our well being fell on Him, by His scourging we are healed. We are like sheep who have gone astray (we want to do it our way). Because of that, the Lord caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. In 53:10 we read that the Lord was pleased to crush Him= Jesus, by putting Him to grief. Much like Abraham who tied Isaac to the altar; it pleased Him. He was delighted, pleased, to be obedient to the Lord. It isn’t that God tolerated this, or that He was bound by duty, but that He was thrilled to do this for us. He was pleased to crush His own Son. It is hard to grasp. It doesn’t fit. But it is amazing that because He went to the cross because of my sins and also because it was the pleasure of His heavenly Father. If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand. Before Jesus was incarnated, He had everything, but the one thing He didn’t have was us. God crushed His Son so He could have us. It doesn’t compute, so hard to grasp the full extent of it; still amazing, in awe, overwhelmed, with what He would do so that I might be His son and be called His beloved one. It is a very precious gift we have in salvation.
APPLICATION: What do we do with this?
It’s very important that we don’t walk away from this with guilt-ridden feelings and that we think we must pay Him back somehow. That is not the point of this gospel. Let that burden go. You could never pay Him back.
Matthew 10 tells us what Matthew 28 had in store for us.
Matthew 10:16 warns us that as we are sent out, we will be beaten
Matthew 10:6-8 tells us to go to the lost sheep of Israel, preach “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”, we are to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.
He backed up the truck and dumped a tremendous amount of grace on us, a great treasure – our salvation. Now you should freely give - the manner in which the Great Commission should be grasped.
Matthew 28:19-20 tells us to make disciples of Jesus – what you are to replicate. Going, baptizing, teaching to obey, because He has lavished His grace on us, we are to spend our time lavishing on others.
Paul’s final words to the church at Ephesus – Acts 20:35 – reminds them of grace that God has given them, then he said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The message is to be funnels for God to allow God’s riches to pass through you to others.
Matthew starts out with prophecy; 1:23, name will be Immanuel=God with us. 28:20 finishes with the promise, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Acts 1:1-9 is the rest of the story. Jesus, before He ascends into heaven, spent 40 days explaining, preaching, and persuading on the kingdom of God.
Matthew 4:17 He says repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 1:21 Jesus will save His people from their sins.
Therefore, 28:19-20, go and make disciples, baptize them, teach them, and remember I AM IMMANUEL, I WILL BE WITH YOU!
This part of Jesus’ life has real application to our own. What took place at the end of Jesus’ life is a spring board for what we are to do in our own life as a follow of Christ. Prepare your hearts to receive all that Jesus given for you and how your life will have made His death not in vain.
Chapter 27
Judas Hangs Himself
1 Very early in the morning the leading priests and the elders met again to lay plans for putting Jesus to death.2 Then they bound him, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders.4 “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”5 Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.6 The leading priests picked up the coins. “It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the Temple treasury,” they said, “since it was payment for murder.” 7 After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter’s field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners.8 That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood.9 This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah that says,
“They took the thirty pieces of silver— the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel,10 and purchased the potter’s field, as the Lord directed. ”
Jesus’ Trial before Pilate
11 Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. “Are you the king of the Jews?” the governor asked him. Jesus replied, “You have said it.”12 But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent.13 “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded.14 But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.15 Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted.16 This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas. 17 As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”18 (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.)19 Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.”20 Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death.21 So the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release to you?” The crowd shouted back, “Barabbas!”22 Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!”23 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”24 Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!”25 And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and our children!” 26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
27 Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment.28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him.29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!”30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it.31 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
The Crucifixion
32 Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross.33 And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”).34 The soldiers gave him wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.35 After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. 36 Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there.37 A sign was fastened to the cross above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”38 Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.39 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery.40 “Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!”41 The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus.42 “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him!43 He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”44 Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way.
The Death of Jesus
45 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock.46 At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”47 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah.48 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink.49 But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.” 50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit.51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart,52 and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead.53 They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.54 The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”55 And many women who had come from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching from a distance.56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.
The Burial of Jesus
57 As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus,58 went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him.59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth.60 He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left.61 Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching.
The Guard at the Tomb
62 The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate.63 They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’64 So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.”65 Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.”66 So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.
Matt 27:1-66 (NLT)
There are many scripture references that prophecy of what Jesus, our Messiah, our salvation, would experience when He came as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world. One is found in the Psalm, written by David. David may have experienced some it himself, but even Jesus quotes from it, which shows its fulfillment was also for Him. Often times in scripture, a warning or a prophecy, had both a near and a future fulfillment. It was spoken of for the people living at the time in regards to their own circumstances, but would also have great meaning for another time in history. Let these words sink deep into your inner being as you realize how Jesus suffered and that He did it willingly to save us. Remember when He was arrested He said that He could many legions of angels down. While He was suffering He could have called it quits by just one command. It is hard to imagine how much control that took to stay and suffer, all the while knowing it could be over right away by asking the angels to come and minister to Him, to get Him out of there. He had a future vision of what it would mean for so many people to have their sins forgiven, and that was His motivation, and because it was what His Father had desired as well.
Psalm 22
For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune “Doe of the Dawn.”
1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?2 Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief.
3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.4 Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them.5 They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you and were never disgraced.
6 But I am a worm and not a man. I am scorned and despised by all!7 Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads, saying,8 “Is this the one who relies on the Lord? Then let the Lord save him! If the Lord loves him so much, let the Lord rescue him!”
9 Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast.10 I was thrust into your arms at my birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born.
11 Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me.12 My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls; fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in!13 Like lions they open their jaws against me, roaring and tearing into their prey.14 My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me.15 My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.16 My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet.17 I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat.18 They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.
19 O Lord, do not stay far away! You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!20 Save me from the sword; spare my precious life from these dogs.21 Snatch me from the lion’s jaws and from the horns of these wild oxen.
22 I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.23 Praise the Lord, all you who fear him! Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob! Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel!24 For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.
25 I will praise you in the great assembly. I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.26 The poor will eat and be satisfied. All who seek the Lord will praise him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.27 The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him.28 For royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations.
29 Let the rich of the earth feast and worship. Bow before him, all who are mortal, all whose lives will end as dust.30 Our children will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.31 His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done. Psalms 22:1-31 (NLT)
These are not mere words that David wrote. He wrote the prophetic descriptions of what the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of David, would endure over a thousand years later. There are other prophecies and some are found in Isaiah; 50:6-7, 52:13-53:12 are some and are found below.
6 I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting.
7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. Isaiah 50:6-7 (NLT)
The Lord’s Suffering Servant
13 See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted.14 But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man.15 And he will startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they will see what they had not been told; they will understand what they had not heard about. Isaiah 52:13-15 (NLT)
1 Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?2 My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.3 He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.
4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.
7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.8 Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people.9 He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.
10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. Isaiah 53:1-12 (NLT)
THE EXALTATION OF THE SERVANT (52:13-53:12) Isaiah presented the fourth Servant Song, predicting that the Servant would die in the place of the guilty in order to satisfy God's judgment on sin. Early Jewish interpretation of this passage understood the "servant" (52:13) to refer to the Messiah. This also was the interpretation by the early church (cf. Acts 8:30-35). Not until the twelfth century was it suggested that the "servant" of Isaiah 53 was the nation of Israel. But the nation of Israel has not suffered innocently (53:9) or willingly (53:7). Nor did Israel's suffering provide substitutionary atonement (53:5).
The Messiah's resurrection, ascension, and exaltation were predicted in 52:13. For the disfigurement of Christ, see Matthew 27:28-31. The word "startle" (Isa. 52:15) is the translation of the Hebrew word for "ceremonial cleansing." The Messiah's death would effect a spiritual cleansing potentially applicable even for the Gentiles ("nations").
Redeemed Israel spoke in retrospect and explained why they rejected the Messiah, Jesus (53:1-3). The Messiah bore the consequences of Israel's sin although they did not realize it at the time. Sin is pictured here in terms of its results or consequences in people's lives—sickness and pain. Matthew used this text with reference to Jesus' healing ministry (see note on Matt. 8:17). The emphasis in 53:5 is on substitution. What Christ suffered, he suffered for believers ("our sins," "peace," and "healed"). The figure of straying sheep was used to describe the spiritual apostasy of Israel and all people (53:6; cf. Rom. 3:23). The Messiah Servant suffered willingly and silently (cf. Matt. 26:63; 27:11-14; Luke 23:9). The unjust judicial proceedings Christ was subjected to were reflected in 53:8. The Jewish Sanhedrin violated their own laws by (1) convening at the house of Caiaphas rather than the regular meeting place, (2) meeting at night rather than during the day, (3) convening on the eve of a Sabbath and a festival, (4) pronouncing the judgment the same day as the trial, and (5) ignoring the formalities allowing for the possibility of acquittal in cases involving a capital sentence. Although condemned with wicked criminals (the two thieves), Christ was buried in the tomb of a rich man (cf. Matt. 27:57-60).
The Servant Song concluded with God's promise to exalt his Servant because he did the Father's will in dying as a guilt offering (53:10-12; cf. Phil. 2:9-11). The "heirs" was a reference to Christ's spiritual progeny who would trust in his redemptive work. Because of Christ's suffering, many would be justified (cf. Rom. 5:1,18). —Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary
THE TRIALS: TWO CONTRADICTORY VERDICTS (26:57-27:26) Jesus was brought before the religious court of the Jews and then the civil court of Rome. The civil trial was necessary because the Jewish leaders did not have authority to execute the death penalty (John 18:31). His religious trial was before Annas (John 18:12-14), Caiaphas (Matt. 26:57), and then before the Sanhedrin (Mark 15:1). His civil trial was before Pilate, the Roman governor (Matt. 27:2), Herod Antipas (Luke 23:6-12), and once again before Pilate (Matt. 27:15-26).
The leaders brought false testimony against Jesus (26:57-68). Jesus' silence (26:63) was in fulfillment of Isaiah 53:7. Jesus combined Daniel 7:13 and Psalm 110:1 in his defense (Matt. 26:64). Tearing one's clothing (26:65) was a traditional sign of grief or mourning. Peter denied Jesus, just as had been predicted (26:69-75; cf. 26:31-35). Peter's Galilean accent suggested that he may have been one of Jesus' disciples (26:73).
The witnesses to Jesus' innocence came from surprising sources, Judas (27:3-10) and Pilate (27:11-26). Following the expulsion of Herod's son Archelaus from Judea in a.d. 6, Judea became a Roman Imperial Province governed by a Roman prefect (27:2). Pontius Pilate served as prefect from a.d. 26 to 36. He normally lived in Caesarea but stayed in Jerusalem during Jewish festivals to keep order. Pilate was staying in the "headquarters" (John 18:28), probably the Antonia Fortress, located just north of the temple area. The Jews did not have the authority to execute capital punishment, though they took it anyway several times (for example, cf. Acts 7:58). The message sent to Pilate from his wife while he was judging Jesus further attested his innocence (Matt. 27:19).
Judas's death fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 11:12-13. The "potter's field" (Matt. 27:7) was a section of property apparently used by the potters of Jerusalem to dig for clay. It was known in Acts 1:19 as "Akeldama," meaning "field of blood." In Matthew 27:9-10 Matthew quoted Zechariah 11:12-13 and alluded to Jeremiah 19:1-4 and 32:6-9. Composite quotations were often assigned to the more prominent author, in this case Jeremiah.
The Roman scourge, or whip, consisted of a short wooden handle to which several leather thongs were attached (Matt. 27:26). To the ends of the thongs were attached bits of lead, brass, or sharp bones. Josephus told of a man whose ribs were laid bare by scourging.
THE CRUCIFIXION (27:27-56) The Mockers of Jesus (27:27-44) Matthew connected those who insulted Jesus while he was on the cross with the fulfillment of Old Testament Scripture (cf. Isa. 53:3, 7). All the mocking was thematically similar. The mockers expected that if Jesus was the Messiah, he would be able to get off the cross. They were questioning his ability to fulfill the Messianic role that he claimed to be fulfilling. But the problem was not with Jesus' ability. It was with the people's conception of what the Messiah's role was. What looked to the unenlightened like a humiliating disaster was really the powerful work of God fulfilling his promise of redemption.
For more on the "headquarters" (27:27), see the note on 27:2. Simon (27:32) was from Cyrene, the capital of Cyrenaica, a Roman province located in North Africa. The name "Golgotha" (27:33) is Aramaic for "Skull Hill." The "gall" (27:34) was a bitter, and perhaps poisonous, herb. It has been suggested that this drink was given to the condemned to lessen the pain of crucifixion. The dividing of Jesus' clothes (27:35) was in fulfillment of Psalm 22:18.
The Believers in Jesus, the Son of God (27:45-56) "Until three o'clock" (Matt. 27:45) was from noon until 3:00 p.m. The words "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani" (27:46) are Aramaic for "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" They were quoted from Psalm 22:1. Some in the crowd mistook "Eloi" for "Elijah" (27:47). The "curtain," or veil (27:51), separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. According to Josephus it was ninety feet high. The tearing of the veil had great significance, for after the work of Jesus Christ the mediator was complete, the veil was no longer necessary to separate man from the holiness of God (cf. Heb. 10:19-20). Some people were raised through Christ's death and resurrection (Matt. 27:52; cf. 1 Cor. 15:20-23). Like Lazarus, they died again, but their resurrection marked off the dynamic witness of God's approval for his Son at this moment. —Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary
People in the medical field recognize that Jesus could not have had the nails driven through the palms of His hands, the weight would have torn right through them. There is a place in your wrist that is actually nail shaped. It has bones around it and would have held the weight of a body. Perhaps God designed our bodies for this very reason. Who knows?
Only John tells us of the last words spoken by Jesus. In John 19:30 we are told that Jesus said, “It is finished.” The Greek word for finish is, teleo, and means completion, end, realization of a perfect end. The word in Greek for finished then is tetelestai, which means to have brought to a complete, perfect end, and says the whole work of salvation had been brought to a completed end. He was not referring to His life coming to an end, but to the completion of a perfect work.
Chapter 28
The Resurrection
1 Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message.9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him.10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”
The Report of the Guard
11 As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened.12 A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe.13 They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’14 If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.”15 So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matt 28:1-20 (NLT)
Burial and Resurrection (27:57-28:15)
BURIAL AND SECURITY (27:57-66) Joseph was from Arimathea, a town of uncertain location (Matt. 27:57). He secured permission to bury Jesus in his own tomb. Jesus' burial in the tomb of a rich man took place in accordance with messianic prophecy (27:60; cf. Isa. 53:9). The securing of the grave with a sealed entrance and guards was an attempt to thwart the fulfillment of Jesus' prediction of his resurrection (Matt. 27:62-66). This was yet one more attempt to thwart God's work through Jesus. Such attempts to block the will of God had been seen earlier in Herod's murder of the babies in Bethlehem (2:13-18), the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (4:1-11), and Peter's denial that Jesus should die (16:21-23). But nothing would stop the fulfillment of God's plan.
RESURRECTION AND BRIBERY (28:1-15) The resurrection of Jesus was the sign of Jonah (cf. 12:39-40), the last public sign to the Jews that Jesus was who he claimed to be (28:6). The disciples were commanded to return to Galilee (28:7, 10). That command was delivered by an angel and by Jesus himself. Jesus appeared five times on resurrection day: (1) to Mary Magdalene (Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18), (2) to the other women (Matt. 28:8-10), (3) to Simon Peter (Luke 24:33-35; 1 Cor. 15:5), (4) to the two disciples (Mark 16:12-13; 'John 20:19-25).
Commission to the Community: Identity, Authority, and Presence (28:16-20)
As was true throughout Matthew's Gospel, even at the end some doubted Jesus' identity (Matt. 28:17). They doubted whether he was one whom they should worship. But to their doubts Jesus gave the proclamation of his authority and his presence (28:18-20). Matthew 28:19 could be translated, "As you are going, make disciples. . . ." The imperative was "make disciples." The "going" was assumed. This ministry extended to "all the nations," which was in keeping with the universal prospect of blessing in the Abrahamic covenant (cf. Gen. 12:2-3). The ministries to accompany making disciples included "baptizing" (identifying believers with a local assembly) and "teaching" (laying the foundation for application). Jesus would fulfill his name "Immanuel," meaning "God with us," by being present with his people through the work of the Holy Spirit "even to the end of the age" (28:20; cf. Acts 1:1-8; 2:1-4). Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary
THE END? OR JUST THE BEGINNING?
(Notes taken from David Arthur’s teaching on Matthew, Precept Ministries International)
In chapters 27 and 28 there are two questions and applications. What happened? What events? Why? Jesus is about to be crucified. He had been telling the disciples that he would go to Jerusalem, suffer at the hands of the chief priests and elders, be killed, and be raised on the third day.
Chapters 1-7 Jesus was teaching
Chapters 8-10 Jesus was in action
Chapters 11-13 Jesus was teaching more
Chapters 14-18 Jesus was in action
Chapters 19-25 Jesus was teaching
Chapters 26-28 Jesus in action.
Jesus teaches on the kingdom of God, then He acts on the kingdom of God. He heals to demonstrate the power. The end of the book of Matthew is the end God had designed with the action exactly as He had desired.
OBSERVATIONS:
- Christ’s innocence is clear.
Matthew 27:17-18 Pilate knew it was because of envy they’d handed Him over
Matthew 27:19 Pilate’s wife – have nothing to do with that righteous man. In God’s grace, He gave the warning in a dream.
Matthew 27:22-25 Pilate asked what to do with Jesus and the crowds shouted “Crucify” but Pilate asks, “What evil has He done?” The crowds don’t give a reason. Pilate washed his hands and claims he is innocent. The crowd replied “His blood shall be on us and our children.” That means to receive guilt of the murder or the consequences, we don’t care, just crucify Him. The crowd in essence is saying that we know He is innocent butcrucify Him anyway. It is ironic that the blood of Jesus saves us from our sins but the crowd is crying out for the opposite reason of destroying Him. Paul describes, in Ephesians 2:3, Colossians 1:21, and Romans 5:10 that we were enemies and Christ shed His blood for us.
- Christ doesn’t defend Himself against the accusations.
Matthew 26:63-64 The high priest asks “Are you the Christ, the Son of God?” It is a very straight forward question? He is asking if He is the Messiah. Jesus answered, “You’ve said it yourself.” That means YES!
Matthew 27:11 The governor asked, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Again Jesus answers with YES! One of the reasons we know the Bible is true is Jesus doesn’t promote Himself but is confident in His position and who He is. God has the ones who are against Him proclaim, Who is He; that’s real power!
Matthew 27:12-14 While being accused, He didn’t answer.
- Christ willingly submitted Himself to punishment.
They taunt Jesus with “Save Yourself”. But He is on the cross to save us! Even those who are mocking Him; He has taken their sin upon Himself.
Matthew 4:1-6 at the initiation of Christ’s ministry, He is about to pick up the mantel that John the Baptist laid down because He is in prison. Jesus
is driven into the wilderness, by the Holy Spirit and does not eat for forty days. The tempter, the devil, the enemy, says “If you are the Son of God
implying that He is not, and to prove it flex Your muscles, command these stones to become bread. “ Jesus answered, “Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Then the devil took Him to a pinnacle of the temple and said, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.” Now Jesus hears the voice of Satan in Matthew 27:40, through the mockers. Jesus is not on the cross as a victim. He isn’t pinned to that tree against His will. He isn’t just some Galilean who said he’d take it for the people. He is willingly pinned to shame.
Matthew 26:36-39 is a dialogue between Jesus and the Father. In His overwhelming grief not just because of the pain of the nails and scourgings but because of the sins piled on His pure and holy self. He asks if there is any way the cup can pass from Him, but without pause He says “Not My will but Your will be done.”
- What happened?
Matthew 27:46 Jesus cries out “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Matthew 27:50 He cries out again, and we see the words in John 19:30 “It is finished.” It is paid in full. Then He yielded up His spirit.
Matthew 27:51-53 The veil in the temple was torn in two. This was a heavy and multiple layered curtain. No man could even reach the top of it. Can you imagine the guys who were in the temple that day? They know what is on the other side of the veil. It is the Holy of Holies, and only one day a year was one person allowed to enter in after much sacrifice and cleansing. Then to make sure, they tied a rope around his leg and if they didn’t hear bells on his robe, they’d yank it to see if he’d yank back. If he didn’t they would know he wasn’t clean and therefore had died. Everything went dark on this day and the tremendous sound of the curtain being ripped from top to bottom. The earth shook in Jerusalem on the top of the mountain. It reminds us of Mt. Sinai, Exodus 20:18-19, with God and Moses talking. When God spoke the mountain moved and the people responded not to let Him speak again or we will die. At the moment Jesus yielded up His spirit the rocks split. And beyond the cosmic, the tombs opened. And after the resurrection the dead bodies came out alive. They entered into the holy city and appeared to many. The text here just grabs you and says “Do you realize what has happened?” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died. The Son has been forsaken by the Father and the Holy Spirit. The earth can’t take it.
- Why?
It is always hard to see the beginning. In Matthew 1:1 we have the genealogy of Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham. It is not just another Galilean claiming to have the way out of oppression, saying he will work it out with the Roman government. This is Messiah, the One in Whom all families of the earth will be blessed. In Matthew 1:20-23 Joseph, the angel told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, for the child conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit, He will be the Son of God, and to call His name Jesus, Yeshua-God saves. For He will save His people from their sins, fulfills Isaiah 7:14’s prophecy that a virgin with child, will bear a son, call Him Immanuel-God with us. Why did it have to happen this way? Why couldn’t Jesus just come in and set up the kingdom? Because He was to save His people. If you were a contemporary of Jesus, how would you fill in the blank. Save His people from ____________? He is here to save His people from their sins. How else would you do that?
It is for us and it is because of us.
Matthew 11:19 Why didn’t the Jews get it? Why didn’t they see Jesus for who He was? They were the ones with the Old Testament, they had been reading about Him on a regular basis, they were expecting the Messiah to come someday. But they instead called Him a gluttonous man, a drunkard, a friend of sinners.
In Matthew 9:32-34 they said He cast out demons by the ruler of demons.
In Matthew 10:25 they said it was by the power of Beelzebul- Satan who gives Him power.
In Matthew 13:13 a prophecy is fulfilled-seeing, they don’t see; hearing, the don’t hear nor understand. The irony is that Jesus went to the cross because of the way they saw Him incorrectly. Do we see Jesus correctly? Does our Christian culture know Who Jesus really is? David Arthur investigated different churches. In some cultures Jesus is a therapist in a sweater vest who just wants to listen to your problems and pat you on the head to say it will be just fine. Then they just go back to living in rebellion against their King. Some portray Him as some hip cool guy that likes to curse while preaching - there are actually some pastors who teach that is what Jesus would do. They say that Jesus would hang out with the homeless and street people, He was a man of the street. Some say He is a buddy, a good pal. He isn’t any of this. He is our King of King and Lord of Lords. He is holy, pure, spotless, and blameless. If we were back there, would we be blind or would we see Who HE is? We now have the whole Word of God that explains Him. He has revealed Himself to us.
In Colossians 2:8, 13-14 Paul is writing to the church, he says don’t caught up in rules, don’t be taken captive by tradition; you were dead in your transgressions and uncircumcision, two things that place you outside the camp and not in the family of God. He made you alive together with Jesus. How? He forgave all your transgressions. When I was outside of the kingdom, in rebellion of God, He brought me back in, by forgiving me my sins. He did it by canceling the certificate of death consisting of decrees against us, taken it out, nailed it to the cross. He cancelled out – He blotted out – no erasures- no white out. It is a used papyrus if you want to recycle it. Blotted out meant that the papyrus would be scraped by a sharp object. The certificate was hand written. You wrote it out yourself and was typically as an IOU. Jesus nailed it to the cross. That showed everyone that every debt had now been paid for. We should think of ourselves and others as being forgiven the debt.
Galations 3:10-13 states that cursed is everyone who doesn’t abide by all things in the Law. No one is justified by the Law. It is evident that a righteous man shall live by faith. Law is not faith. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us. “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” Redeemed means purchased. We were bought with a great price. The Law shows us that are sinners. The Law is not bad. It points us to the right way. Romans 7:7, Law is very good and its role is to show us we are all sinners. Jesus cried out “It is finished.” Our sins were on Jesus and as He was nailed to the cross so were our sins. They died with Him. In 2 Corinthians 5:21- He who knew no sin became sin on our behalf. He is that parchment. When He said He’d take our sin and be nailed to a tree, it is how we go from darkness to light, from dead to alive together with God.
Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is a picture of the crucifixion. 53:4-6 He bore our griefs and sorrows, the chastening for our well being fell on Him, by His scourging we are healed. We are like sheep who have gone astray (we want to do it our way). Because of that, the Lord caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. In 53:10 we read that the Lord was pleased to crush Him= Jesus, by putting Him to grief. Much like Abraham who tied Isaac to the altar; it pleased Him. He was delighted, pleased, to be obedient to the Lord. It isn’t that God tolerated this, or that He was bound by duty, but that He was thrilled to do this for us. He was pleased to crush His own Son. It is hard to grasp. It doesn’t fit. But it is amazing that because He went to the cross because of my sins and also because it was the pleasure of His heavenly Father. If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand. Before Jesus was incarnated, He had everything, but the one thing He didn’t have was us. God crushed His Son so He could have us. It doesn’t compute, so hard to grasp the full extent of it; still amazing, in awe, overwhelmed, with what He would do so that I might be His son and be called His beloved one. It is a very precious gift we have in salvation.
APPLICATION: What do we do with this?
It’s very important that we don’t walk away from this with guilt-ridden feelings and that we think we must pay Him back somehow. That is not the point of this gospel. Let that burden go. You could never pay Him back.
Matthew 10 tells us what Matthew 28 had in store for us.
Matthew 10:16 warns us that as we are sent out, we will be beaten
Matthew 10:6-8 tells us to go to the lost sheep of Israel, preach “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”, we are to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.
He backed up the truck and dumped a tremendous amount of grace on us, a great treasure – our salvation. Now you should freely give - the manner in which the Great Commission should be grasped.
Matthew 28:19-20 tells us to make disciples of Jesus – what you are to replicate. Going, baptizing, teaching to obey, because He has lavished His grace on us, we are to spend our time lavishing on others.
Paul’s final words to the church at Ephesus – Acts 20:35 – reminds them of grace that God has given them, then he said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The message is to be funnels for God to allow God’s riches to pass through you to others.
Matthew starts out with prophecy; 1:23, name will be Immanuel=God with us. 28:20 finishes with the promise, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Acts 1:1-9 is the rest of the story. Jesus, before He ascends into heaven, spent 40 days explaining, preaching, and persuading on the kingdom of God.
Matthew 4:17 He says repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 1:21 Jesus will save His people from their sins.
Therefore, 28:19-20, go and make disciples, baptize them, teach them, and remember I AM IMMANUEL, I WILL BE WITH YOU!