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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
27:11-26 The Roman Trial of Jesus. The Jewish religious leaders lacked the final authority to impose the death penalty, and the charge of blasphemy was insufficient for a death sentence under Roman rule. So Jesus was sent to the Roman governor, Pilate, for trial.
27:11 governor. Pontius Pilate (see note on v. 2). King of the Jews. Since blasphemy is not sufficient to warrant the death penalty under Roman rule, the Jewish leaders restate the charges when they hand Jesus over to Pilate (cf. Luke 23:2). Such a claim to kingship would be a direct challenge to Caesar. You have said so. See note on Matt. 26:25; cf. 26:64.
27:12-14 he gave no answer . . . he gave him no answer. Jesus has sufficiently answered Pilate's original question (v. 11), and there was nothing more to say that would change Pilate's mind. See further Isa. 53:7.
27:14 Pilate was greatly amazed at Jesus' refusal to defend himself.
27:15-18 release for the crowd. Pilate had apparently instituted this custom as a means of winning favor with the masses. Barabbas. A notorious criminal who had committed robbery (see note on John 18:40), insurrection, and murder (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:18-19). He may have belonged to one of the rural guerilla bands that victimized the wealthy upper class of Israel as well as the Romans and were therefore popular with the common people.
27:18 envy. Pilate knows the high priest and the Sanhedrin are not concerned about threats to Roman rule; rather, they are envious of Jesus' popularity and feel threatened by his authoritative ministry.
27:19 dream. Romans often viewed dreams as omens. The dream was probably given by God as a sign of Jesus' innocence.
27:20-22 A few days earlier the people of Jerusalem had shouted "Hosanna!" at Jesus' entry. Now they cry, "Let him be crucified!"
27:24 washed his hands. Not an attempt to purge himself of sin but a public demonstration that he finds no grounds for giving Jesus the death penalty.
27:25 People (Gk. laos) is Matthew's normal term for Israel as a nation. His blood be on us (cf. "Your blood be on your own heads!" Acts 18:6) was a common idiom denoting culpability for someone's death. The people placed the responsibility for Jesus' crucifixion directly on themselves, and they were judged with the destruction of Jerusalem in . However, future generations should not be held responsible for the sins of their ancestors, for that would be unjust (cf. Deut. 24:16; Jer. 31:29-30).
27:26 scourged. Roman flogging was a horrifically cruel punishment. Those condemned to it were tied to a post and beaten with a leather whip that was interwoven with pieces of bone and metal, which tore through skin and tissue, often exposing bones and intestines. In many cases, the flogging itself was fatal. The Romans scourged Jesus nearly to death so that he would not remain alive on the cross after sundown.
