MATTHEW 27
JESUS BEATEN, MOCKED, + CRUCIFIED
Realizing Jesus would soon die, Judas feels remorse for his betrayal. Judas takes the thirty silver coins he was given and throws them to the temple, knowing the money cost him the innocent death of Jesus. Experiencing despair and regret, Judas hangs himself.
When Pilate, the Roman Governor, questions Jesus’ identity, Jesus confirms that He is the Son of God, the Jewish Messiah. When the priests and religious leaders make further accusations, Jesus remains silent (Isaiah 53:7).
Attempting to spare Jesus, Pilate recalls that during Passover, one prisoner is allowed to be freed. Instead of freeing the innocent Messiah, the crowd cheers to free Barabbas, a criminal guilty of acts of heinous violence and corruption.
Pilate’s wife attempts to warn Pilate to set Jesus free instead of Barabbas. The night before, she had a dream about Jesus, realizing His innocence. Because of the fervor of the crowd demanding to kill Jesus, Pilate relents and allows Jesus to be handed over.
Before being crucified, Jesus is brutally beaten and whipped. Pilate’s soldiers take Jesus and clothe Him in red robes and a crown of thorns, mocking His alleged identity as King of the Jews. They mockingly kneel and spit on Jesus, showing their hatred and disrespect.
The soldiers walk with Jesus towards the outskirts of the city, where He is to be crucified. Jesus is so weak from being beaten that a man named Simon has to assist Him in carrying the cross where He would soon meet His death.
The site of Jesus' crucifixion was the same site where Abraham offered Isaac (Genesis 22), holding a powerful connection. In both instances, God provided a substitute sacrifice. Just as a ram replaced Isaac in the Old Testament, Jesus became the sacrificial lamb for humanity, fulfilling God's plan for redemption.
By His hands and His feet, Jesus is nailed to the cross and lifted up. The soldiers throw dice to divide His clothing between them (Psalm 22:18). The people mock and berate Jesus, asking why He could save others, but not Himself. Even the criminals on the crosses beside Jesus question His abilities and insult Him as He hangs on the cross.
During the crucifixion, the sky filled with darkness, showing the physical and spiritual significance of His sacrifice. In His final moments, Jesus cries out to God, asking why He had been forsaken (Psalm 22:1). Trusting the Father’s will, Jesus yielded His spirit to God, allowing His death on the cross.
Upon Jesus' death, the Temple curtain tore in two, symbolizing the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, allowing access to God’s presence. Following Jesus’ death, the earth shook, opening graves and raising many of God’s people from the dead.
Joseph, one of Jesus’ followers asks Pilate for Jesus’ body, wanting to properly bury Him in a tomb protected by a large stone. Knowing Jesus’ prophecy that He would rise from the grave, Pilate appoints guards to remain by the tomb for three days, preventing anyone from stealing Jesus’ body.
