Matthew 27
1 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the People took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death:
This wasn't legal by their own law. It isn't lawful to hold a counsel at that hour and only the government had the right to put anyone to death.
2 And when they had bound Him, they led Him away, and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
Some of these same people listened to Christ speak and where probably amazed by what they heard. They jumped right back in the crowd. There are so many that allow themselves to be led away from The Truth of God because they want to be part of the crowds points of view. Many just so they get along or not to offend anyone's feelings. They won't stand for anything wholeheartedly, these just sway to whatever direction everyone else goes.
3 Then Judas, which had betrayed Him, when he saw that He was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
Yes, Judas repented. To many hate Judas because of what he did, but as we see he repented and it was forgiven. Because he repented, [they killed him!] Acts 1:18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. This doesn't happen on its own.
4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
These punks where saying "who cares, you did it, not us" when they were the ones seeing Christ would be setup. Little did any of them know or understand that Christ was the last lamb to be slain. He was the last sacrifice for all. They rejected what had been given and Who was about to fulfill it. Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth. Revelation 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
I happen to believe he "hanged himself" means "suffocation with grief". That is one of its meanings. Because of Acts 1:18 I see this holds to be true.
8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
9 Then was fulfilled that
which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces
of silver, the price of Him That was valued, Whom they of the children of
Israel did value;
It had been written in Zechariah 11:12-13 12 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give
me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of
silver. 13 And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter:
a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of
silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord.
10 And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.
(Zechariah 11:12-13)
11 And Jesus stood before
the governor: and the governor asked Him, saying, Art Thou the King of the
Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
Christ is saying, "your saying that, not me". At this time Christ Jesus is The King and Lord of Israel.
12 And when He was accused of the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.
13 Then said Pilate unto Him, Hearest Thou not how many things they witness against Thee?
"Don't you hear how much they're speaking against you?" Lesson here for us is, let them talk. God is in control! I hear the things said about me, but my Lord has shown us all, just let them go about their way. It's all about to be sorted out. Be smarter than the devil. Don't let them know you're on to them and you're always one step ahead of them.
14 And He answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
Christ knew His purpose and there was no need talking anymore. God wouldn't ask us to do anything that He Himself wouldn't do. He came in this flesh to show us how. Through Him we win over the things of the world and satans tricks. Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
This being feast the day, Pilate the Roman governor, gives the people a choice whom they would like set free.
16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
Barabbas was a murderer and we will see people will have a choice between one of death and The One to life. Kind of like what we have today isn't it?
17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
Pilate expects the people would ask for the release of Christ, after all he knew he hadn't done anything wrong and the other was a murderer.
18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered Him.
Pilate knew the religious leadership was jealous of Christ. Christ defied their religious traditions while healing the sick on the Sabbath. Those of you who hold to The Truth and speaking to the "pastors" in churches today, understand what I'm talking about. Try telling these traditionalist The Truth of God's Word and watch them attack.
19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just Man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him.
The Holy Spirit touched her, and she told Pilate. Probably the reason Pilate was giving them the opportunity to release of Jesus.
20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
It was the fakes that worked the crowd up to come against Christ. They would do the same if Christ where here today.
21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
Don't follow the majority as we see these did. Listen to your heart, it's usually God talking to you. The majority follow lies today. Separate yourselves from them.
22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let Him be crucified.
These didn't care for what was good. Seems we are in the same place today. Most don't like what is right and Truth in the sight of God. Speak Truth and people want you crucified.
23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath He done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let Him be crucified.
Pilate gives them another chance, but just as Peter did, the crowd deny Him three times. Three in Biblical Numerics = Resurrection.
24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just Person: see ye to it.
Pilate was tired of seeing the angry mob wanting Barabbas, a murderer over Christ, he washed his hands in front of them to calm their hostility. "Have at it"
25 Then answered all the People, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
These evil kenites didn't know it at the time, but they put their father to death, that is to say satan. God had a plan and they were helping to fulfill it.
26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.
By roughing Christ Jesus up a bit, Pilate was hoping the mob would find compassion and release Him. Why he thought that is beyond me. It was pretty evident they were out for blood.
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto Him the whole band of soldiers.
28 And they stripped Him, and put on Him a scarlet robe.
The soldiers are going to mess with Christ.
29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon 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!
Jesus Christ was king of all Israel, all of the twelve tribes. These soldiers did care either way.
30 And they spit upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him on the head.
This is how the world treats Christ Jesus today. They water down His Word, they twist it and throw it out completely. They show their hatred for The Truth while supporting evil. Very few hold to The Truth today; that take the time to seek His TRUE Word and won't conform to the worlds view of it. Can you see what these soldiers were doing to Him? They showed their hate. Can you see what the world is doing? They show their hate.
31 And after that they had mocked Him, they took the robe off from Him, and put His own raiment on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.
It was the kenites that sent Christ to be put to death and it is the Romans that will carry out the crucifixion.
32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear His cross.
"as they came out" = from the city gate which led to the place of execution. The soldiers probably saw Simon having compassion for Christ sufferings.
33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,
"A skull" is what it was shaped like.
34 They gave Him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when He had tasted thereof, He would not drink.
This was a poor man's wine, and it was given to take away pain. "Gall" = a wormwood, greenish bile that is somewhat poisonous.
35 And they crucified Him, and parted His garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which
was spoken by the prophet, They parted My garments among them, and upon My
vesture did they cast lots.
This was prophesied long before it came to pass. Psalm 22:18 They part My garments among them, And cast lots upon My vesture. The soldiers were fulfilling prophecy and didn't even know it.
36 And sitting down they watched Him there;
37 And set up over His head His accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews.
It was done in mockery. The Kenite chief priest came by later in anger and reminded Pilate that he told them not to write it. John 19:19-21 19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. 21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, "Write not, 'The King of the Jews;' but that He said that I am the King of the Jews
38 Then were there two thieves crucified with Him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
39 And they that passed by reviled Him, wagging their heads
40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save Thyself. If Thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
They're saying, "If you're really the Son of God come down off the cross".
41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking Him, with the scribes and elders, said,
These Kenite leaders had come to mock Jesus also. Jesus saw this mocking and He said not one word. He did it for them also [IF] they would just repent and choose Him.
42 He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.
After sending Christ to be put to death, mocking Him they request a sign from The One that has given many signs right in front of their eyes. That's Evil to the core! Look at how many we have in the world seeing the things of God, yet refuse Him every day. To have a mirror, you see one of these things, yet you reject The One that created you. Go figure!
43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now, if He will have Him: for He said, I am the Son of God.
Shame this "chief priest" didn't know Gods Word. He was fulfilling it by saying that very thing. Ref. Psalm 22:8 He trusted on the Lord that He would deliver Him: Let Him deliver Him, seeing He delighted in Him.
44 The thieves also,
which were crucified with him, cast the same in His teeth.
Even in death, one of these on the cross next to Christ joined in mocking Him. Note that the other didn't. Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, If Thou be Christ, save Thyself and us.
45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
This would have been from 12 noon to 3pm. If this wouldn't have been a wake-up call to many, I don't know what would.
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?
"Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani" is perfect Hebrew. Christ had taken on the sins of the world. Jesus is quoting David from the Psalm 22. Christ on the Cross that are given to us. Psalm 22:1 My God My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? Why art Thou so far from helping Me, and from the words of My roaring? Look at all of Psalm 22 to gain a better understanding.
47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.
"Elias" = "Elijah" in the greek. They mistook the cry given in Aramaic 'eliy-yah' that is to us God the Father.
48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave Him to drink.
They offered this because it was laced with drugs for pain during a crucifixion. This was also given beforehand. Ref. Psalm 69:21 They gave Me also gall for My meat; And in My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink. Every detail of the crucifixion is covered in prophecy.
49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save Him.
These people claim to follow Gods Word and while they stood in the dark in the middle of the day, they still refused Christ. Reminds me of today!
50 Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the Spirit.
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
This veil divided Gentiles from the priests and the prayers to be sent to God. It was opened that all may enter in today. You don't need a priest, God hears you. By the customs a priests would stand at this veil at 3pm each day. The one standing there was the chief priest Caiaphus, the same priest that demanded Jesus death. The Lord lead me to name this Ministry, "Open Veil Ministry" and I'm blessed to be a part of it with you.
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
Don't believe for a second they were just waiting in the ground. They had already been in heaven. God did this for all of those to see they had crucified Christ Jesus. People then just as today won't look at the spiritual things, the spiritually blind can only see the physical. People want a sign instead of having faith. Real Christians have faith without a sign.
53 And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
These appeared to those who knew them as a sign. I'm sure it woke up many. Do you see the signs? Are you awake?
54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
They said, "Truly this was the Son of God." That's what it took for them. Christ dying on the cross and the other events. What's it going to take for those of this world today? For many, it will be seeing Him coming when they finally wake up.
55 And many women were
there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto Him:
The women where there, but those men that followed Jesus took off. This is why women can be great pastors.
56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children.
These women loved Christ and stood by Him. These women went on to preach His Word throughout the world. What do you think, they just went to become cooks? Knowing the things they knew, they went out to preach The Word. You better believe it! What do you do when you have The Truth in you?
57 When the even was
come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was
Jesus' disciple:
Joseph of Arimathaea was more that Jesus disciple, he was Jesus's uncle. As a member of the family, he had the right to claim the right to Jesus's body.
58 He went to Pilate, and
begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
Joseph of Arimathaea had kinsman's rights and was Jesus kinsman redeemer, just as Christ is our kinsman redeemer of our souls. For those that would like to know more about Joseph of Arimathaea, I suggest the book, "Traditions of Glastonbury", by E. Raymond Capt.
59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
Even with robbers on both sides, Jesus would be buried in a rich man's tomb; His uncle's, Joseph of Arimathaea. Joseph, the tin man. Ref. Isaiah 53:9 And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth.
61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
They were mourning at the tomb where Christ had been laid.
62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
Jesus body was laid in the tomb before 6pm on Wednesday, as was required by law because you can't work on Thursday. The day they went to Pilate was a Thursday.
63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while He was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
These Kenites knew the Old Testament prophecies and are scared about what could happen. They remember what Jesus said of Jonah and that He would be in the earth three days, just as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish.
64 Command therefore that
the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest His disciples come by
night, and steal Him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead:
so the last error shall be worse than the first.
When Christ defeated death, then Christianity became our reality. That was their first "error". To them anyway! They had seen what happened upon Christ crucifixion and they didn't want Christ to escape His tomb. That wouldn't make what they had done look to good to the many that still followed them.
65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
Pilate was sick of these Kenites and told them to use their own soldiers to make the watch.
66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.