Matthew 27

Matthew 27 describes the events leading to Jesus’ crucifixion, death, burial, and the sealing of His tomb. The chapter begins with the religious leaders delivering Jesus to Pilate, then shows Judas’ remorse, Jesus’ trial, the release of Barabbas, the mocking by Roman soldiers, the crucifixion at Golgotha, and the signs that happened when Jesus died. It also records the faithfulness of the women who watched from a distance, Joseph of Arimathea’s care in burying Jesus, and the religious leaders’ attempt to secure the tomb. This chapter shows the injustice Jesus suffered, the fulfillment of prophecy, the weakness and guilt of man, and the faithfulness of Jesus as He gave Himself for humanity.

Matthew 27:1-2 (NKJV)
1 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted 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.

The chief priests and elders had already decided that Jesus should die, so in the morning they bound Him and brought Him to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Since the Jewish leaders did not have full authority to carry out crucifixion, they needed Roman approval to put Jesus to death in that way. This shows how determined they were to remove Jesus, even though He was innocent. By handing Him over to Pilate, they treated Him like a criminal, but their actions were still moving toward the fulfillment of God’s plan and the prophecies concerning the suffering Messiah.

Matthew 27:3-10 (NKJV)
3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”
5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
6 But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.”
7 And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.
8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced,
10 and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”

When Judas saw that Jesus was condemned, he became remorseful and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” Judas recognized that Jesus was innocent, but his remorse did not lead him to true repentance and faith in God’s mercy. The priests showed no compassion and told him, “What is that to us? You see to it!” Judas then threw the money into the temple and went away and hanged himself. The priests knew the money was “the price of blood,” so they would not put it into the treasury, yet they had no problem using it to condemn an innocent Man. They used the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers, fulfilling prophecy. This passage shows the terrible result of betrayal, guilt, and despair, and it also shows the hypocrisy of religious leaders who cared about ceremonial rules while ignoring justice, mercy, and truth.

Matthew 27:11-14 (NKJV)
11 Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.”
12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.
13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?”
14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.

Jesus stands before Pilate, and Pilate asks Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answers, “It is as you say,” but when the chief priests and elders accuse Him, He remains silent. His silence shows His innocence, calmness, and submission to the Father’s will. He does not argue desperately or defend Himself against their false accusations, because He knows He is walking the path God has allowed. Pilate is amazed because Jesus does not behave like other accused men who would try to save themselves. This moment reveals Jesus’ dignity, self-control, and willingness to suffer unjustly without returning evil for evil.

Matthew 27:15-26 (NKJV)
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished.
16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.
19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”
20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
21 The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!”
22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”
23 Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”
24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”
25 And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”
26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.

Pilate tries to release Jesus by offering the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, a notorious prisoner. Pilate knows that the religious leaders handed Jesus over because of envy, and even Pilate’s wife warns him to have nothing to do with “that just Man” because of a troubling dream. But the chief priests and elders persuade the crowd to ask for Barabbas and demand Jesus’ crucifixion. Pilate asks what evil Jesus has done, but the crowd only cries louder, “Let Him be crucified!” Pilate then washes his hands before the people, trying to show that he is innocent of Jesus’ blood, but washing his hands cannot remove his responsibility. He chooses political safety over justice. The people accept responsibility by saying, “His blood be on us and on our children.” Then Pilate releases Barabbas, scourges Jesus, and delivers Him to be crucified. This scene shows the injustice of Jesus’ condemnation: the guilty man is released, and the innocent Christ is handed over to die.

Matthew 27:27-31 (NKJV)
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him.
28 And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.
29 When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on 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 Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head.
31 And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.

The Roman soldiers take Jesus into the Praetorium and mock Him cruelly. They strip Him, put a scarlet robe on Him, place a crown of thorns on His head, and give Him a reed as if it were a royal scepter. Then they bow before Him in mockery, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spit on Him and strike Him on the head with the reed. This scene shows both physical suffering and deep humiliation. The soldiers think they are mocking a defeated prisoner, but in truth they are mocking the real King. Their cruelty also reflects the prophecy of the suffering Messiah in Isaiah 53, who would be despised, rejected, and treated with shame. Jesus silently bears this abuse as part of His path of suffering.

Matthew 27:32-37 (NKJV)
32 Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross.
33 And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull,
34 they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink.
35 Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.”
36 Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there.
37 And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

As Jesus is led to Golgotha, Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry His cross. At the place of crucifixion, they offer Jesus sour wine mixed with gall, but He refuses to drink it. He chooses to face His suffering fully conscious, without anything to dull His senses. Then they crucify Him and divide His garments by casting lots, fulfilling Psalm 22:18. The soldiers sit and watch Him there, while the accusation above His head reads, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” This title was meant as a charge and perhaps mockery, but it speaks the truth: Jesus really is King. Even in His humiliation, God’s word is being fulfilled, and His identity is being declared.

Matthew 27:38-44 (NKJV)
38 Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.
39 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads
40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said,
42 “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is 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 Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.

Jesus is crucified between two robbers, showing that He was counted among criminals and treated as a transgressor. People passing by mock Him, telling Him to save Himself if He is the Son of God. The chief priests, scribes, and elders also mock Him, saying that He saved others but cannot save Himself. They claim they would believe if He came down from the cross, but their words reveal spiritual blindness. If Jesus had come down to save Himself, He would not have completed His mission to save others. Even the robbers join in mocking Him at first. Luke later shows that one robber has a change of heart and asks Jesus to remember him when He comes into His kingdom, and Jesus gives him hope. This scene shows the deep shame Jesus endured, but also the mercy that can reach even a dying sinner who turns to Him in faith.

Matthew 27:45-50 (NKJV)
45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!”
48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink.
49 The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.”
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

From the sixth hour to the ninth hour, darkness covers the land, showing the seriousness and spiritual weight of what is happening at the cross. Jesus cries out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” This expresses the deep anguish He experiences as He bears the terrible consequence of sin and feels the separation from the Father. This was not ordinary fear of death, but the suffering of One who stood in humanity’s place and endured the darkness caused by sin. Some people misunderstand His cry and think He is calling for Elijah. They continue to watch with cruel curiosity, waiting to see if Elijah will save Him, not realizing that Jesus Himself is the fulfillment of God’s saving plan. Earlier, Jesus refused anything that would dull His suffering, and He continued to endure the cross with full awareness. His final loud cry and yielding up His spirit were not defeat, but willing surrender. He remained faithful to the Father’s will until death. By His obedience and self-giving love, Jesus defeated sin in the flesh and opened the way for His risen life to be shared with believers through His Spirit, so they may be freed from sin’s dominion and prepared for eternal life. The cross reveals the deepest love of God: love willing to endure darkness, shame, suffering, and separation for the sake of humanity.

Matthew 27:51-54 (NKJV)
51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,
52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;
53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

When Jesus dies, the veil of the temple is torn in two from top to bottom, showing that God Himself has opened the way into His presence through the death of Christ. The sacrificial system had reached its fulfillment because the true Lamb had died. The earthquake, split rocks, opened graves, and resurrection of many saints show the great power and meaning of Jesus’ death. Creation itself responds, and death begins to lose its hold. The saints who were raised after His resurrection appeared to many in Jerusalem as witnesses that Christ’s victory over sin also brings victory over death. These signs show that the cross was not simply a tragedy, but the turning point of redemption. When the centurion and those guarding Jesus saw these things, they feared greatly and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Even Gentile soldiers recognized that something divine had happened.

Matthew 27:55-61 (NKJV)
55 And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar,
56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.
58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.
59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.
61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.

Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee remain near the cross, watching from a distance. Their presence shows devotion, courage, and love, even when many others had fled. Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man and disciple of Jesus, goes to Pilate and asks for Jesus’ body. He wraps it in clean linen and lays it in his own new tomb, then rolls a large stone against the entrance. This careful burial confirms that Jesus truly died and was placed in a known tomb. The women also see where He is buried, which becomes important for the resurrection account. This scene shows both sorrow and faithfulness, as those who loved Jesus care for Him even in His death.

Matthew 27:62-66 (NKJV)
62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate,
63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’
64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”
65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.”
66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

The next day, the chief priests and Pharisees go to Pilate because they remember that Jesus said He would rise after three days. They call Him a deceiver and ask that the tomb be made secure so the disciples cannot steal His body and claim He rose from the dead. Pilate gives them permission to secure the tomb, so they seal the stone and set a guard. They do this to prevent any claim of resurrection, but their actions actually make the resurrection testimony stronger. The sealed stone, guarded tomb, and official watch show that no human trick could explain what would happen next. In trying to stop the truth, they unknowingly help confirm it.