Matthew 27

1-10 Morning was approaching and came, the chief priest and elders took counsel to put Jesus to death. They made their decision and they were sticking to it. So they bound Jesus and brought him to Pilate the governor. The church was not allowed to put any man to death, they had to get the state to do this, which is why they brought Jesus to Pontius Pilate. 

 

But Judas which betrayed Jesus did not expect Jesus to accept the abuse and mockery that was done to Him. He expected that Jesus would escape, but as time went on and Jesus was arrested, interrogated, and treated violently, Judas felt a fear come upon him and he realize that he sold his Master to death. 

 

The bible says clearly in Deuteronomy 27: 25  Cursed [be] he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen. 

 

Ezekiel 22:12-13  In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.

 

Judas repented himself not because he was truly repented but because of the consequences, he knew that he was cursed. He said "I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood" He went to the chief priest and elders and brought back the thirty pieces of silver and throw it on the ground and he couldn’t bear to see Jesus crucified and his guilty conscience was torturing him. He told the chief priest and elders that Jesus was innocent and not worthy of death and end up confessing and acknowledging that Jesus is the Son of God. But Judas confession was forced from his guilty conscience and knowing that he will be condemned and judged. 

 

Judas left the scene and went and hanged himself. What a sad ending for the life of Judas. He hanged himself on a tree because he realized that his way and what he was trying to do did not work. Noticed also, that retribution was already visiting those who were guilty of the blood of Jesus. The bible says that judgment starts at the house of God. Judas will also be part of the special resurrection when Jesus returns the second time to see Him coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

 

The pieces of silver that was cast down in the temple, the chief priest took the silver pieces and said, it is not lawful to put them into the treasury because it was the price of blood. The priest realize that they cannot use the money for the temple of God because it was used to shed innocent blood and to put Jesus to death. An example of this is found in Exodus 22:12; 23:7, 8 Deuteronomy 23:18; Isaiah 61:8. Thou shall not use whore or dog money in the house of God for any vow. So filthy or sinful gain into the temple was forbidden. But the chief priest hired Judas to betray Jesus, not realizing how filthy and sinful they were because they worked in the temple. How can we be so blind and deceived by sin is unimaginable. This is why the bible says that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry 1 Samuel 15:23.

 

The chief priest took counsel and used the money to purchase a piece of property for a cemetery, a potter’s field to bury stranger in. This place was called the field of blood (Aceldama) because it was purchased with Judas’ money Act 1:16-20. Peter speaks of Judas and how Judas was prophesied in the book of Psalm by David (Psalm 69:25; 109:8) referring that Judas’ spot will be replaced. 

 

Then the bible speaks of the fulfillment of the thirty pieces by Jeremiah the prophet, but it was actually Zechariah, it is mentioned in Zech 11:11-13. Jeremiah was added later by a copyist. The original reading omits the name of the prophet. Also, there are a few times he doesn’t mention the prophet’s name 1:22; 2:5, 15, 23; 13:35, 21:4, but in other places does mention Isaiah and also Jeremiah. But the original it wasn’t there.

 

11-26 Jesus is now before the governor which is Pilate. Pilate then asked Jesus if He was the King of the Jews? Jesus answered and said "Thou sayest"  in other words are you saying that I am the King of the Jews or are you listening to others. The chief priest and elders were accusing Jesus and the bible says that Jesus said nothing. Pilate asked Jesus about the many accusations against Him and Jesus answered not a word, in so much that Pilate marvelled greatly. 

 

Pilate realized Jesus was innocent and has done nothing wrong so he tried a custom which is to release a prisoner and show a comparison between Jesus and Barabbas. Barabbas was a murderer and his name mean the "son of father" Bar which is "son" and abba which is father. But we knew who is father is which is the devil and of course Jesus is the Son of His Father which is God. Barabbas was a notable prisoner and Pilate asked the people who will I release unto you Barabbas or Jesus? Pilate thought they would chose Jesus but the chief priest and elders persuaded the multitude to release Barabbas and destroy Jesus. Pilate knew that they were plotting to kill an innocent man and they were envious of Him.

 

Pilate’s wife sent him a message saying have nothing to do with this just man, for I had a dream about Him and saw many things in the dream. But Pilate was caught between principle and pleasing, at first Pilate was firm on his decision for an accusation against Jesus, but there was none. When Pilate examined Jesus he said several times I find no fault in Him. But the chief priest and elders asked for Barabbas and Pilate asked what shall I do with Jesus? They said let Him be crucified. Pilate was shocked and hoping to deliver Jesus, but it didn’t work and he saw that he could not prevail against them unless a tumult was made and they knew that Pilate was trying to deliver Jesus. Pilate took water and washed his hands before the multitude and said I am innocent of the blood of this just man, see ye to it.

 

The people answered saying "His blood be on us and on our children" this saying is pleading guilty for shedding innocent blood. They were thirsty for the condemnation of Jesus. Jesus has mentioned to them how they were partakers of the blood of the prophets (23:30-37) and now they are responsible for the blood of the Son of God. God said innocent blood should not be shed in the land (Deut 19:10; 2 Kings 24:3-4) for the Lord shall return his blood upon his own head (1 Kings 2:32). Choosing Barabbas, they chose Satan as their leader and they felt the cruelty until it reached it’s climax in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Pilate had Jesus scourged and he delivered Jesus to be crucified.

 

This saying (His blood be on us, and on our children) will also be fulfilled in the great judgment day of God. At the Second Coming of Christ, Christ will come not as a Lamb to be slain or to be mocked and made fun of, but as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will come with the glory of the Father and of the angels. Thousands of angels will be attending Him when He returns. Those that mocked and abused Jesus will see Him return including those who said "His blood be on us and on our children" will behold Jesus coming with great power and glory. They will say to the rocks and to the mountains, fall on us and hide us from Him that sitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:16-17). The scene will be reversed, if repentance has not occurred during their life. Have mercy on us!

 

Another interesting point to bring out, in the book Desire of Ages pg. 739.3, the prophetess says,  Jesus will come back the second time with the glory of the Father, His own glory, the glory of angels and the "beautiful and triumphant sons of God, possessing surpassing loveliness and glory, will escort Him (Jesus) on His way". 

 

The book of Job makes reference to the "sons of God" Job 1:6; Job 2:1 So who are they? Job 38:4-7, these were there at the beginning of the creation of the earth. Luke 3:38 says Adam was the son of God. When the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, Adam should have been the one present instead of Satan to represent the earth, but the earth had been delivered to Satan (Luke 4:6) and Satan has been going to and fro in the earth claiming it as his. Jesus had to come and reclaim it back as the second Adam (Hebrews 2:6-9; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45) John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11; Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 6:12 DA 834

 

Satan is the author of death. What did Christ do after He brought Satan under the dominion of death? The very last words of Christ while expiring on the cross were, "It is finished" (John 19:30). The devil saw that he had overdone himself. Christ by dying accomplished the death of Satan and brought immortality to light. FW 73.4

 

27-32 The soldiers of the governor, the governor being Pilate, took Jesus and they were allowed to stripped Jesus and once again mistreat Him and made fun of Him. The Romans had horrible ways of beating their victims that they sometimes die before crucifixion. These were called Roman floggings which they use a whip with sharp ends to cut flesh and they will beat up to 40 stripes. Scourging was a severe punishment and Jesus predicted it (Isaiah 50:6; Proverbs 10:13; 19:29; 26:3 {Jews tried to correct or punish Jesus}; Matthew 20:19; Mark 10:34). What Jesus was going through mentally I cannot imagine, but the whole time He had thoughts of pity, forgiveness, and mercy towards those who mistreat Him. Jesus had no words of condemnation, which means He had no thoughts of condemnation. 

 

After they finish mocking Him, they led Him away to be crucified, but Jesus had gone through so much physically and mentally that human nature couldn’t bear any longer. The cross was too heavy for Jesus after all that abuse. He had been scourge twice and taken from place to place during His trial.  Also, Jesus had not eaten or drink anything since the Passover. More than anything else, Jesus was bearing the sins of the world. This cross that was placed on Jesus was for Barabbas. Here Jesus is taking the place of a harden criminal. This represent Jesus being sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21) who knew no sin. The cross was too heavy and Jesus kept falling to the ground when the soldiers put the cross on Him to carry. 

 

A man out of Cyrene name Simon had compassion on Jesus and they compelled him to bear the cross. Luke 23:26 mentions that he was coming out of the country and he heard the jeers, commotion and see the crowd ridiculing Jesus, Simon was shocked. There were some women there who seen how abused Jesus was and they expressed compassion on Him by wailing (Luke 23:27-31). Jesus recognized their pity but He was also thinking of them and said weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. Jesus was referring to the destruction of Jerusalem which is a symbol of the final destruction that is to come upon the world. These were the same people that carried their sick and suffering ones to Him. Some of them have been healed by Jesus. Some shouting hosannas at the triumphal entry and witness is might works will perish with their children in the destruction of Jerusalem. 

 

33-44 They arrived at a place called Golgotha, which is a place of a skull. This has a deep significance, at the Garden of Eden it was told to the serpent that enmity would be placed between thee and the woman and it shall bruise thy head.  This first gospel promise had a meaning of what Christ will do. Nearly four thousand years has passed when Christ will come to earth and start to fulfill the bruising of the serpent’s head. At this location, Golgotha, Christ was demonstrating that the serpent’s head was bruised. When Christ hung on the cross, this act was crushing the serpent’s head, bringing to pass Hebrews 2:14, through death He destroyed him (Satan) that had the power of death, that is the devil.  It also bruised His heel, Satan bruised the heel of Christ. 

 

In Psalm 41:9, the bible says that a familiar friend hath lifted up his heel against me. This scripture was fulfilled in John 13:2, 18, while Jesus was washing the disciples feet including Judas. Judas was going to betray Jesus and cause the bruising of His heel. We have also bruised His heel as sinners. In Isaiah 53:5,10 it says, Christ was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. He was also pierced (Psalms 22:16) in His hands and feet. This will remain (Jeremiah 30:12) as a reminder. The marks of the crucifixion, the wounded head and on His side will be the traces of sin (OFC pg. 377). This means the scars in Jesus’ hand, feet, and side will forever remain (Zechariah 13:6). Jesus will have bright beams coming out of His side (margin) and this is the hiding of His power Habakkuk 3:4.

 

As Jesus was getting ready to be hung on the cross, they gave Him vinegar to drink and it was mixed with gall. This was for the pain, but Jesus refused it and would not drink. He didn’t want anything to becloud His mind or to give Satan an advantage. Jesus was placed on the cross and He did it without any resistance, the bible says He was obedient unto death (Philippians 2:8), even the death of the cross. Christ accepted ever blow done to Him without complaint. The soldiers parted his garments and cast lost for it that the scripture might be fulfilled (Psalm 22:18). This set over His head a accusation "THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS" the priest and rulers asked Pilate to change this inscription to (John 19:21) "That He said I am the King of the Jews" but Pilate was upset and said "What have I written I have written. 

 

Jesus, the Messiah was actually the King of the Jews. He came that those who accept Him might have life and have it more abundantly.  Jesus knew He was making a infinite sacrifice to redeem and set us free from the bondage of evil. We all are guilty of crucifying the Son of God. What Jesus did was for every sinner in the world from the beginning to the end of time. This is why He hung on the Christ for six hours. An hour for each one thousand years. 

 

There was also two thieves crucified with Jesus. One on the right hand and the other on the left. These thieves were associated (DA741.4) with Barabbas. Jesus took the place of Barabbas and was in the middle.  There were people mocking Jesus still while He hung on the cross. People were wagging their heads and trying to convince Jesus to come down from the cross. The place of Calvary, people were cold and harsh, Satanic agencies were inspiring people to discourage Jesus. They remember what Jesus said regarding the temple, "Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days" they ask Jesus to save thyself, if thou be the Son of God, come down and we will believe. There was no compassion at all towards Jesus except for those woman while Jesus was on His way to Calvary. 

 

Jesus’ mother was also there with John the disciple supporting her. She (John 19:25) was hoping Jesus will not suffer Himself to die, but will show His power and save Himself. The thieves also which were crucified with Jesus were also asking Jesus to save Himself and them. I am blown away how cold the heart can be especially after seeing Jesus who is full of love and compassion. Even Pilate was marvelled (27:14) at the bearing of Jesus of handling all this abuse. 

 

45-49 At the sixth hour which was 12pm (this is explain in chapter 20) there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour which is 3pm.  At the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice saying "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?"  Jesus was surrounded by a host of evil angels, the holy angels were not permitted to enter into conflict with them. Jesus had to tread the winepress alone. He had to deal with the hiding of His Father face, the legions of evil angels, the sins of the whole world, the suffering of the penalty of the law transgressed, and the sense of the Father wrath crushing His divine soul. This is why He cried out My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken Me? Sin separates us from God and separation from God, who is the source of life is automatic death. A person can exist for a moment, but will eventually end up dead. When you cut a branch off from a tree, the flowers will still look alive for a while, but will slowly die, because it is not attached or connected to the vine. We clearly see this at the beginning with Adam and Eve and throughout all generations. 

 

Christ experienced (2T 210.1; DA 753.2)) what a sinner will feel when the vials of God’s wrath will be poured out during the last seven plagues and at the end of the millennium (Revelation 20:7-10).  Except it will only be their own sins. Christ had the weight of the sins of the entire world, from the beginning of the sin on earth to the end. The sacrifice was for everyone who ever lived on the earth. 

 

After Jesus cried with a loud voice about God forsaken Him, some of the those at the cross thought that Jesus was calling for Elias and said "This man calleth for Elias" and they wanted to see if Elias will come and save Him. Jesus was thirsty (John 19:28) and someone took a spunge and filled it with vinegar and put it on a reed and gave it to Jesus to drink. Christ wanted a drink without vinegar or gall in it. When Jesus was at the well, He asked the woman to give Him a drink. Jesus was asking for water at the cross with no vinegar or gall. In the book of John (19:29-30) it says Jesus received the vinegar and said "It is finished" and then He died. 

 

50-56 Jesus cried with a loud voice saying (Luke 23:46) "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" and He yielded up the ghost. Jesus knew since a child that His mission was to be a sacrifice (DA78). When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he said "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" The Father’s love through Jesus was manifested to the world. When Jesus died the vail of the temple was rent in two from top to bottom and there was an earthquake and the rocks were tore. Then on early Sunday morning when Jesus arose gaining the victory over death and the grave, many of the righteous dead came forth glorified to proclaim a risen Saviour (SR233). Those that were risen from the dead were holy ones chosen from every age starting from creation down to the days of Jesus. You can clearly see the different forms and statures as sin has manifested itself more and more throughout the ages. Every age the effects of sin has degenerated the human race and Satan’s power seen more plainly because of sin. 

 

Many of those resurrected went into the city telling people the sacrifice was complete and Jesus is risen from the dead and they also announced as proof that we be risen with Him. 

 

When Jesus died a centurion and others with him were watching Jesus and saw the earthquake and they fear greatly saying Truly this was the Son of God. There were many women there ministering unto Jesus including Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joses, which is the mother of Jesus (13:55; Mark 6:3) and the mother of Zebedee’s children which is James and John (Mark 10:35; 1:19; 3:17).

 

57-61 Evening was drawing on and there was a rich man name Joseph of Arimathea, which is north of Jerusalem. Joseph was a disciple of Jesus and came to Pilate and begged him for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised that Jesus was dead and asked a centurion to confirm the death of Jesus (Mark 15:44-45) and the centurion confirmed it. Usually crucifixions took hours for a person to die, it was a slow death. Jesus was the passover lamb, so He died on time base on morning and even oblation (Exodus 29:38-40; 12:6 margin; Numbers 9:1-5, 13; 28:1-4; 1 Kings 18:29, 36; Ezra 9:4-5; Daniel 9:21)

 

Pilate commanded that the body of Jesus be delivered to Joseph and Joseph takes the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid Jesus in a tomb which Joseph had prepared for himself, it was new and never been used before. This tomb was hewn out in a rock and had a great stone as a door. Joseph rolled the great stone of the sepulcher to close it and left. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (vs 56; John 19:25) were at the tomb. 

 

62-66 The day that Jesus died was Friday which is also known to be preparation day (Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54-56) this day is the day before the Sabbath day which is Saturday. Some people get confused about what day constitute the Sabbath? The fourth commandment clearly tells us that the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord which is blessed, sanctified, and holy. The Sabbath was instituted at creation and was not only for the Jews, but for the world and to the end of time and will continue in heaven. (Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:8,10; 31:31:14-15; Nehemiah 9:14; 10:31; Jeremiah 17:21-22; Isaiah 56:2, 6;  58:13; Luke 4:16; Mark 6:2; 2:27-28; Isaiah 66:23)

 

The biggest argument regarding the sabbath not being kept is because Jesus resurrected on Sunday. This does not make Sunday the sabbath. The only things that makes the Sabbath day holy is God’s law and God blessed it and sanctify it (Genesis 2:1-3) and the law says "For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it" Exodus 20:11. So the seventh day is the sabbath day which is Saturday. History tells us that the Roman Catholic church changed the sabbath day to Sunday (Daniel 7:25). During Christ’s days the Jews rejected Him and now in the last days, the world rejects the law of God which also includes the Sabbath day.

 

At creation when the earth was finished, the Father and the Son had rested upon the Sabbath and the angels sang together and the sons of God shouted for joy Job 38:7. Now Jesus rested from His work of redemption. He lived a perfect life without sin, was offered up as our surety and substitute, and soon will be our High Priest to give us the benefits and the gift of the Holy Spirit to do the same, if we believe unto righteousness.

 

The next day which was the Sabbath, the chief priests and Pharisees came to Pilate and remember what Jesus had said (John 2:18-19). They told Pilate that Jesus was a deceiver and that Jesus said He will rise again after three days. This is really bad, the chief rulers and priest had plenty of evidence that Jesus was the Son of God. This is a terrible blindness. These rulers are bent on trying to keep Jesus in the tomb to further their own malicious  ways. It seems like they believe what Jesus said regarding rising up on the third day but their envy against Him deepen. The bible says there is no amount of counsel that anyone can do against God (Proverbs 21:30; 19:21; Psalm 2:1-4). They asked Pilate to make sure the tomb was watched, in case the disciples come by night and steal the body of Jesus. So there were soldiers guarding the tomb and also there was a seal on the stone of the tomb. 

 

The priest and rulers seen Jesus resurrect people back to life. Now, they were more afraid of His death than His life. They thought they would be at ease when Jesus died, but they were not. This is why they went to Pilate to ask that the tomb be made sure.

 

Legions of demons were also present to keep Jesus died (SR 230; DA 779.1; 782.4). So a band of soldiers (100) were at the tomb, a seal was placed on the tomb, and the pharisees were determined to keep Jesus in the tomb. All thinking that they can keep Jesus in the tomb. They also take precaution against the disciples so they won’t take Jesus by night. The more they devised a plan to keep Jesus in the tomb, the more to demonstrate the deliverance of Jesus from the tomb.