Matthew Chapter 27 — The Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus
Jesus is tried before Pontius Pilate, crucified at Golgotha, and buried in a new tomb by Joseph of Arimathea.
1Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.
2They bound him, led him away, and delivered him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor.
3Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4saying, “I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.”
5He threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary and departed. Then he went away and hanged himself.
6The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It’s not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood.”
7They took counsel, and bought the potter’s field with them to bury strangers in.
8Therefore that field has been called “The Field of Blood” to this day.
9Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah*some manuscripts omit “Jeremiah” the prophet was fulfilled, saying,
10and they gave them for the potter’s field,
11Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, saying, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
12When he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
13Then Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear how many things they testify against you?”
14He gave him no answer, not even one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
15Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner whom they desired.
16They had then a notable prisoner called Barabbas.
17When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
18For he knew that because of envy they had delivered him up.
19While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of him.”
20Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
21But the governor answered them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”
22Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do to Jesus who is called Christ?”
23But the governor said, “Why? What evil has he done?”
24So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”
25All the people answered, “May his blood be on us and on our children!”
26Then he released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he flogged and delivered to be crucified.
27Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison together against him.
28They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him.
29They braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
30They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head.
31When they had mocked him, they took the robe off him, and put his clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.
32As they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to go with them, that he might carry his cross.
33When they came to a place called “Golgotha”, that is to say, “The place of a skull,”
34they gave him sour wine†or, vinegar to drink mixed with gall.‡Gall is a bitter-tasting, dark green oil from a wormwood plant that is alcoholic in its effect. When he had tasted it, he would not drink.
35When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots,§TR adds “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: ‘They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots;’ ” [see Psalms 22:18 and John 19:24]
36and they sat and watched him there.
37They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
38Then there were two robbers crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left.
39Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads
40and 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!”
41Likewise the chief priests also mocking with the scribes, the Pharisees,*TR omits “the Pharisees” and the elders, said,
42“He saved others, but he can’t save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.
43He trusts in God. Let God deliver him now, if he wants him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”
44The robbers also who were crucified with him cast on him the same reproach.
45Now from the sixth hour†noon there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.‡3:00 p.m.
46About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima§TR reads “lama” instead of “lima” sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”✡Psalms 22:1
47Some of them who stood there, when they heard it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.”
48Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave him a drink.
49The rest said, “Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”
50Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Matthew 27:24
“So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.””
This verse highlights Pilate's attempt to deflect responsibility for Jesus' death despite presiding over the trial.
Matthew 27:46
“About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?””
These words, quoting Psalm 22, represent one of the most significant and profound moments during the crucifixion.
Matthew 27:54
“Now the centurion and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were done, were terrified, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!””
This statement marks a profound acknowledgment of Jesus' identity by a Roman soldier witnessing the events.
Chapter Summary
Matthew 27 recounts the final hours of Jesus' life, beginning with the chief priests delivering him to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. Meanwhile, Judas Iscariot, filled with remorse, returns the thirty pieces of silver and ends his life. During the trial, Pilate offers to release a prisoner, but the crowd, persuaded by religious leaders, chooses Barabbas and demands Jesus be crucified. After being mocked and flogged by soldiers, Jesus is led to Golgotha and crucified between two robbers. At the moment of his death, several supernatural events occur: the temple veil is torn, the earth quakes, and tombs are opened. The chapter concludes with Joseph of Arimathea placing Jesus' body in a secure, rock-cut tomb, which the Roman guards then seal and watch over at the request of the Pharisees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Barabbas was a 'notable prisoner' held by the Romans. During the Passover custom of releasing a prisoner, the crowd, influenced by the religious leaders, chose him to be freed instead of Jesus.
The chief priests decided it was not lawful to put the money into the temple treasury because it was 'the price of blood.' Instead, they used it to buy a potter's field to serve as a burial place for strangers.
The text records that the temple veil was torn from top to bottom, the earth shook, and rocks split. Additionally, tombs were opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
Jesus was buried by Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy disciple. He requested the body from Pilate, wrapped it in clean linen, and placed it in his own new, rock-cut tomb before rolling a large stone across the entrance.
Study Note
The tearing of the temple veil from top to bottom symbolically signifies the removal of the barrier between God and humanity at the moment of Jesus' death.
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