In 2025, we're working our way through the gospels and invite you to join us as we seek to learn from Jesus. Find all our notes, from this year and past years, at the Faith Food tab. And if you'd like ideas for suggested pacing, download our April calendar. Welcome, friends, we're so glad you're journeying with us. Let's grow together!

Our notes on Matthew 27 include:

An Overview: Topic, Themes, and Summary.
An Outline Of our thoughts and questions.
Exploration Of when to speak and when to remain silent.
A Reflection On reactions.
An Invitation to Respond To a Faithful God.

Matthew 27

Tree by UdayBir at Pixabay

Overview

General Topic

Jesus is tried, crucified, and buried. In our response to it, we are all tried.

Key Themes

Trials. Surrender. Truth.

Summary

We see varied responses as people react to Jesus' fate. Judas, believing he lost any chance of redemption, returns the blood money and hangs himself. Jesus' accusers persist in the belief of their self-righteousness, continue the plotted course, and work to make themselves appear clean. Pilate renounces all guilt for the acts against Christ because he hearkened to his own perception and his wife's warning. The crowd betrays Jesus by blindly following the priests who lead them astray. The soldiers, caught in the excitement, mock Jesus relentlessly but later recognize His innocence. The women stand as witnesses to His death and burial. Jesus accepts His fate without argument, peacefully surrendering to God's will. Though there is no doubt of His anguish as He cries out at being forsaken.

Outline

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, ! a connection, and x a cross reference. Researched answers are in italics. *R communicates that in-depth research follows. Behold requires our attention; it marks our partnership with God.

On Judas' Regret (Matthew 27:1-10)

All in agreement, Jesus' accusers turn Him over to Governor Pilate for execution.

* How awful! The priests, people who were to model God's intent for righteous living, became the non-example. They focused too much on their elevated status and ritual living and not enough on the state of their hearts and concern for others.
! Now we are the model. According to the BEMA Podcast episode titled, "A Kingdom of What?", Leviticus trains us all to be priests. The main points of reflection being:

"Do you and I put God on display in our culture...?"
"Do we help people navigate their atonement?"
"Do we intercede on behalf of others?"
"Do we distribute resources to those in need?"

Judas, hearing of Jesus' fate, regrets his betrayal and tries to return the money.

Though many share in the guilt of Jesus' murder, they keep passing the blame. (Pilate also does when he washes his hands. Then the crowd accepts the blame.) - NIV, Cultural Background Study Bible
x Accept atonement, O LORD, for your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, and do not set the guilt of innocent blood in the midst of your people Israel, so that their blood guilt be atoned for. Deuteronomy 21:8 GW
x Surely this came upon Judah at the command of the LORD, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he had done, and also for the innocent blood that he had shed. For he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD would not pardon. 2 Kings 24:3-4 GW

The priests refuse to take the money from Judas.
Judas throws it at their feet, runs away, and hangs himself.
The priests use the money to buy a field as a burial place for foreigners.

*The VOICE adds that people who die by suicide would be buried here. Judas may have been buried in the field of blood purchased by his betrayal. Matthew 27:7
Another irony, not lost on Israelites, would be the priests concern for temple purity over their guilt in committing judicial murder. - NIV, Cultural Background Study Bible

The purchase of the potter's field unwittingly fulfills prophecy.

x Then I said to them, "If it's alright with you, pay me my wages, But if it's not, don't." And [the oppressed sheep] paid me [their shepherd] my wages - 30 pieces of silver. The LORD told me, "Give it to the potter." So I took the 30 pieces of silver. Such a magnificent price was set by them! I gave the pieces of silver to the potter at the house of the LORD Zechariah 11:12-13 GW

x But now, LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are our potter. We are the work of your hands. Don't be too angry, LORD. Don't remember our sin forever. Now look, we are all your people. Isaiah 64:8-9 GW (See our Isaiah 64 notes.)
x And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. Jeremiah 18:4-6 KJV

? Why is it called potter's field? Does it connect at all with the potter mentioned in the Zechariah prophecy, or is that coincidence?
x Jeremiah said, "The LORD spoke his word to me. He said, 'Jeremiah, your cousin Hanamel, son of Shallum, is going to come to you and say, "Buy my field that is in Anathoth, because as the closest relative it is your responsibility to buy it."' Then, as the LORD had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the prison. He said to me, 'Please buy my field that is in Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. It is your responsibility to purchase it, because the rights of the closest relative belong to you. Buy it for yourself.' Then I knew that the LORD had spoken to me. "So I bought the field in Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel and gave him the money. The field cost seven ounces of silver. Jeremiah 32:6-9 GW

! This verse reminds me of the Ruth and Boaz's story; Boaz being the kinsman redeemer as Christ is ours.
? I wonder if seven ounces is the same as 30 pieces of silver.
? How does this field relate to the potter's field?

On Pilate's Reluctance (Matthew 27:11-26)

Jesus affirms Pilate's title for Him as, "King of the Jews".
Then Jesus says nothing in response to the onslaught of accusations slung His way, even after His silence is questioned by Pilate.

x They were silent and didn't say anything to him because the king commanded them not to answer him. Isaiah 36:21 GW (See our Isaiah 36 notes.)

Jesus' refusal to retort shocks Pilate.

The KJV reads: "the governor marvelled greatly" Matthew 27:14

As was customary during Passover, Pilate gave the crowd the choice of a prisoner to release: Barabbas, a well-known lawbreaker, or Jesus, who was only there because others envied Him.
Pilate's wife warns him to stay away from Jesus' trial because of a dream she had. She calls Him innocent.

! Yet again, God communicates through dreams as He did with Jacob and Joseph.

But the crowd, at the persuasion of Jesus' accusers, ask for Barabbas's release and Jesus' execution.
They demand a crucifixion.
Pilate asks why, but they never give him a reason. They just keep demanding His crucifixion.
Then Pilate publicly washes his hands of Jesus' crucifixion, and the Jews willingly take the responsibility on themselves.
Pilate acquiesces to the crowds' demands.

? Why does Pilate have him whipped if he was releasing responsibility? He was following the customary crucifixion routine. NIV, Cultural Background Study Bible

On the Soldiers' Mocking (Matthew 27:27-30)

The soldiers mocked Him as King of the Jews.
They dressed Him in a red robe.

! The scarlet robe of righteousness. Proverbs 31:21 (See our Proverbs 31:21 notes.)

They adorned Him with a crown of thrones.

! The crown of life. (Revelation 2:10 & James 1:12)

They gave Him a stick to hold as a scepter.

! The rod of Aaron. (Exodus 7:12)
! Rule with an iron rod. (Revelation 19:15)

They spit on Him, hit Him with the rod, and knelt before Him mockingly calling Him, "King of the Jews".

x So that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will kneel and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11 GW

On the Crucifixion (Matthew 27:31-44)

Then, the soldiers led Him toward the crucifixion site.
On the way, Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry Jesus' cross.

? Who is this Simon and why was he forced to carry the cross? Likely a random person in the crowd. Because he had traveled to Jerusalem at Passover, he was most likely Jewish. Usually criminals had to bare their own cross, because Jesus didn't, He was probably too weary from the beating. - NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
x Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Those who want to come with me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses, and follow me." Matthew 16:24 GW (See our Matthew 16 notes.)

When they reached the site, they offered Jesus pain relief. He refused.

Gall had pain-killing properties. -NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
x Give liquor to a person who is dying and wine to one who feels resentful. Such a person drinks and forgets his poverty and does not remember his trouble anymore. Proverbs 31:6-7 GW
x They poisoned my food, and when I was thirsty, they gave me vinegar to drink. Psalm 69:21 GW
? Why would they offer Him pain relief when crucifixion was supposed to be excruciating?

They crucified Him, divvied up His clothes, and marked His cross with His crime: being king of the Jews.

? Was the crime typically publicly displayed, or was this unique to Jesus?

Two criminals were crucified on either side of Jesus.
Those who passed by, His accusers, and even the criminals on either side of Him, mocked Him. They jeered at Him to save Himself, or to call on God to do it for Him.

x All who see me make fun of me. Insults pour form their mouths. they shake their heads and say, "Put yourself in the LORD's hands. Let the LORD save him! Let God rescue him since he is pleased with him!" Psalm 22:7-8 GW
? At what point did the criminal on His right repent?
The KJV says the criminals: "cast the same in the teeth." Matthew 27:44

On Jesus' Death (Matthew 27:45-56)

At noon, darkness covers the earth.

x For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And gross darkness the people: But the LORD shall arise upon thee, And his glory shall be seen upon thee. Isaiah 60:2 KJV (See our Isaiah 60 notes.)
? The KJV records the time as the sixth and ninth hour. I wonder if a new day began at 6 AM, which would make 12 PM the sixth hour and 3 PM the ninth? (Matthew 27:45-46)

At 3 PM, Jesus cries out at being abandoned by God.

x My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away from helping me, so far away from the words of my groaning? Psalm 22:1 GW

The crowd mishears and assumes He's calling for Elijah.
A guard gives Him vinegar.

? Why is vinegar their response to hearing him cry out for "Elijah"?

It is more hydrating than water. - NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

*I once heard, but don't remember the source, that perhaps Jesus refused vinegar the first time because it lessened the pain and accepted it the second because it prolonged His life. In these choices, the agony of His death was prolonged and heightened.

The bystanders urge the guard to stop because they want to see if Elijah actually will come.

It was believed that Elijah helped rabbis. Also, Elijah is significant because of the Malachi prophecy which says Elijah will appear before the second coming. -NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

Jesus cries out again and dies.
The temple veil is split in two from top to bottom.
The earth quakes, tombs open, holy people are resurrected. They appear to many people after Jesus' resurrection.

? Were they just hanging out in their tombs for a couple of days?

Romans realize that Jesus must be who He says He is: the Son of God.
Women who followed Jesus witnessed His execution.

While it was less likely to consider women a threat, their presence still took an incredible amount of courage. - NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

On Jesus' Burial (Matthew 27:57-61)

Joseph of Arimathea asks for Jesus's body so he can properly bury Him.

This is a courageous act! The elite were often hunted by officials for their money. Joseph could easily be charged as a treasonous co-conspirator of Jesus'. - NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

Pilate consents.

Typically, the bodies from a crucifixion were left on the ground for scavenging wildlife. NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

Joseph prepares the body for burial, lays it in his own tomb, and rolls the stone in place while Mary and Mary watch.

On Securing the Tomb (Matthew 27:62-66)

The following day, Jesus' accusers ask Pilate for guards to be posted at the tomb so His followers cannot fake proof of Jesus' resurrection.

It is Sabbath, yet the priests are conducting business. -NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

Pilate gives them permission.
They secure the tomb with a seal and post guards.

Exploration

Throughout most of Jesus' trial and crucifixion, He remained silent. How often does scripture advise silence? When are we to speak?

Scripture on Remaining Silent

Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear how many charges they're bringing against you?" But Jesus said absolutely nothing to him in reply, so the governor was very surprised [marvelled greatly]. Matthew 27:14 GW (See also Isaiah 53:7, Romans 8:36, II Corinthians 4:11, I Peter 4:14, John 15:18-19)

Those who hate me for no reason outnumber the hairs on my head. Those who want to destroy me are mighty. They have no reason to be my enemies. I am forced to pay back what I did not steal. Psalm 69:4 GW (See also Matthew 5:25-26)
We wear ourselves out doing physical labor. When people verbally abuse us, we bless them. When people persecute us, we endure it. When our reputations are attacked, we remain courteous. Right now we have become garbage in the eyes of the world and trash in the sight of all people. I Corinthians 4:12-13 GW (See also Luke 23:34)
But I tell you not to oppose an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn your other cheek to him as well. If someone wants to sue you in order to take your shirt, let him have your coat too. Matthew 5:39-40 GW

Christ never verbally abused those who verbally abused him. When he suffered, he didn't make any threats but left everything to the one who judges fairly. I Peter 2:23 GW (See also John 8:48-50)

You have seen [it]; yes, you have taken note of trouble and grief and placed them under your control. The victim entrusts himself to you. You alone have been the helper of orphans. Psalm 10:14 GW (See also Psalm 31:5, Ecclesiastes 5:2, I Peter 4:19)
Don't take revenge, dear friends, Instead, let God's anger take care of it. After all, Scriptures says, "I alone have the right to revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord." Romans 12:19 GW

I said, "I will be careful about how I live. I will not sin by what I say. I will keep my mouth closed when sinful people are near me." Psalm 39:1 GW (See also Matthew 15:18, James 3:2-10, and Matthew 12:36-37)

Those who talk a lot are likely to sin. But those who control their tongues are wise. Proverbs 10:19 (See also Proverbs 18:21.)
A gentle answer turns anger away. But mean words stir up strife. The tongues of wise people use knowledge well. But the mouths of foolish people pour out foolish words. Proverbs 15:1-2 GW

Scripture on Speaking Up

But how can people call on him if they have not believed in him? How can they believe in him if they have not heard his message? How can they hear if no one tells [the Good News]? How can people tell the Good News if no one sends them? As Scripture says, "How beautiful are the feet of the messengers who announce the Good News." Romans 10:14-15 GW (See also Romans 1:16-17 and Acts 4:29.)

In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. I Peter 3:15 ESV
We speak about the mystery of God's wisdom. It is a wisdom that has been hidden, which God had planned for our glory before the world began. I Corinthians 2:7 GW

The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. John 7:7 ESV (See also Amos 5:10, Ephesians 5:11.)

Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? Galatians 4:16 ESV (See also I John 4:5-6, 2 Timothy 2:12-14)

"Speak out for the one who cannot speak, for the rights of those who are doomed. Speak out, judge fairly, and defend the rights of oppressed and needy people." Proverbs 31:8-9 GW (See also Isaiah 1:17, Psalms 82:3-4, Isaiah 58:6-7, and James 1:27)

The Spirit of the Lord is with me. He has anointed me to tell the Good News to the poor. He has sent me to announce forgiveness to the prisoners of sin and the restoring of sight to the blind, to forgive those who have been shattered by sin, to announce the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19 GW (See also Jeremiah 22:16.)
Now, suppose a person has enough to live on and notices another believer in need. How can God's love be in that person if he doesn't bother to help the other believer? Dear children, we must show love through actions that are sincere, not through empty words. I John 3:17-18 GW

People take pleasure in anything they say; but a word at the right time, how good it is! Proverbs 15:23 CJB (See also Proverbs 25:11)

I may speak in the languages of humans and of angels. But if I don't have love, I am a loud gong or a clashing cymbal. I may have the gift to speak what God has revealed, and I may understand all mysteries and have all knowledge. I may even have enough faith to move mountains. But if I don't have love, I am nothing...Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn't jealous. It doesn't sing its own praises. It isn't arrogant. It isn't rude. It doesn't think about itself. It isn't irritable. It doesn't keep track of wrongs. It isn't happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with the truth. Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up. Love never comes to an end. I Corinthians 13:1-8 GW (See also Colossians 4:6)
Don't let even one rotten word seep out of your mouths. Instead, offer only fresh words that build others up when they need it most. That way your good words will communicate grace to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29 VOICE (See also Isaiah 50:4)

*Thoughts: We remain silent when we're accused or are likely to say something sinful, something that is against God's ways. We are to speak up to tell the goodness of God and His truth, to defend the vulnerable, and to build others up.

Reflection

In this, the chapter of Jesus' trial, mocking, crucifixion, and burial, we see one key group missing: His disciples. Some of them are here. Like Judas who realizes his error and tries to make restitution but goes to the wrong place to find it. He wronged God. Judas should have sought forgiveness and restitution from Him.

Then, there are the women: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and James' and John's mother. These women followed Jesus during His ministry, supported Him, and now watched as He was convicted, tortured, crucified, and buried. I can only imagine the pain they felt as they suffered with Him through all of it.

Another disciple we see is Joseph of Arimathea who, against custom, asks to bury Jesus in his own tomb - fully knowing this act could very well result in his own arrest for being associated with Jesus.

The disciples we read about in this chapter felt the weight of Jesus' death and were all moved to act in different ways motivated by guilt, grief, and gratitude. There is no doubt in my mind that the disciples not mentioned in this chapter were no less affected. We could paint them as cowardly, yet, if they had attended and were arrested to share in Jesus' fate, then they could not go on to build the early church.

My guess is that the remaining disciples, motivated by fear, hid and grieved the whole way through Jesus' trial, torture, crucifixion, and burial. Likely, their experience was in some ways worse than the women's because they could not be there. They could not see. They had to guess at what was happening to their beloved Rabbi and I am sure they imagined the worse. Surely, they felt helpless and angry because they could not step in and were forced to cower in hiding.

And then there's Jesus. Jesus, God's only Son, who suffered at the hands of the ones He came to save. Despised, rejected, mocked, beaten, humiliated, murdered - yet motivated by trust. He quietly accepted His fate knowing God's plan will stand; He will accomplish all He intended to do*. Now the veil is torn. Jesus' sacrifice opened the way. The question hangs in the air, positioned above His cross: "How will you respond? Will you accept the gift I offer? Will you trust Me?"

*Isaiah 46:10

Respond

Connect

God is faithful - even when it hurts. This chapter is a culmination of what God planned since the beginning. He knew we could not save ourselves, so He did it for us. Just as He had time and time again: with Adam and Eve, with Abraham, with Noah, with Joseph, with Moses, and now with you.

Reflect

Do I believe in God's faithfulness? Even when I am really hurting, do I truly believe God will work it together for good?
What trial am I currently undergoing or have I recently undergone? What am I learning about God in the trial and what is He learning about me through it? What does my response reveal about my relationship with Jesus?
Consider Jesus' reaction to His betrayal, arrest, trial, and crucifixion. What pattern do you see? What lesson do you want to carry with you?

Act

Arise, know God is faithful.
Arise, lean into your trial. See it as an opportunity to learn more about who God is to you and who you are to Him.
Arise, accept God's will while still communicating your raw and real emotions to Him.

In Closing

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. What we don't always want to understand is that faithfulness doesn't mean that we get what we want. Faithfulness means You never leave, You are true to Your Word, and You will finish what You started. Faithfulness means You do what is best for us even when it hurts. Remind us when we're hurting to keep talking to You: to share with You our hurt, our desires, and our frustrations because You really do care. You care faithfully. When we come to You, You give us peace in every circumstance. We know it. We have witnessed it in Jesus' life, and we are ready to witness it in our own lives. Thank You, Father, for Your faithfulness.

Sample these related posts:

Matthew 26 | The Wolfe Notes

Review our Matthew 26 notes. Includes an outline of our thoughts, research that connects the Passover with Jesus' crucifixion, a reflection on brokenness, and an invitation to respond to God's supremacy.

Proverbs 31:16 | The Wolfe Notes

Compare faithfulness to God to faithfulness in marriage as we work to connect purchasing a field with choosing faithfulness. Includes a reflection on God's character, personal applications, cross references, and an invitation to worship. (Our notes on Proverbs 31:16 start here.)

Patriot Day | JOY for Today

All of us undergo personally devastating trials. Find strength to press on as we connect with what united us on Patriot Day. Includes facts, scripture, quotes, and activity suggestions.

Isaiah 19 | The Wolfe Notes

Awaken with the faithful and accept God's will even when its hard as we witness an unlikely moment of unification. Includes LEB/ISV version comparisons, an outline of our thoughts, research on God's titles for Egypt, Assyria, and Israel, a chapter summary, cross references of Isaiah 19:21-22, and an invitation to respond to our identity in God who works in our lives and values us.

Isaiah 53 | The Wolfe Notes

Will you accept Him? Step into Isaiah 53 with us to work toward understanding what the Suffering Servant offers. Includes KJV/ISV version comparisons, an outline of our thoughts, research on Jesus' allotted portion, a chapter summary, cross references of Isaiah 53:10, and an invitation to respond to God's grace.

Interested in more faith-related blogs? Then you're looking for Faith Food. At Faith Food, you'll find links to all our faith-related blogs and a short description of each.

Search This Blog

Wolfe Stew

Matthew 27 | The Wolfe Notes