Matthew 27 chronicles one of the most pivotal and somber events in human history: the trial, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus Christ. This chapter is a direct fulfillment of prophetic scripture and the culmination of Jesus’ earthly mission. It details the final hours leading to His sacrificial death and the immediate aftermath, filled with dramatic events and profound theological significance. Here, we address key questions regarding the powerful narrative presented in Matthew 27.

What happens to Judas Iscariot in Matthew 27?

Matthew 27 opens with the tragic fate of Judas Iscariot. After betraying Jesus, Judas is filled with remorse when he sees that Jesus has been condemned. He attempts to return the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, confessing, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4). When they refuse to take the money back, he throws the silver into the temple and goes off to hang himself. The chief priests then use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners, fulfilling a prophecy spoken by Jeremiah (Matthew 27:9-10). This grim account serves as a stark warning about the devastating consequences of sin and betrayal, even when followed by regret that does not lead to true repentance and restoration. Read more about Judas Iscariot

Who was Pontius Pilate, and what was his role in Jesus’ trial?

Pontius Pilate was the Roman prefect (governor) of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea from AD 26-36. In Matthew 27, Jesus is brought before Pilate by the Jewish authorities, who accuse Him of various charges, including claiming to be King of the Jews, which was considered treason against Caesar. Pilate, recognizing Jesus’ innocence and the envy of the Jewish leaders, attempts to release Him. He offers the crowd a choice between Jesus and a notorious prisoner named Barabbas, hoping they would choose Jesus, especially given the custom of releasing a prisoner during the Passover festival (Matthew 27:15-18). However, swayed by the chief priests and elders, the crowd demands Barabbas’ release and Jesus’ crucifixion. Despite his attempts to evade responsibility, Pilate ultimately succumbs to the crowd’s pressure, symbolically washing his hands of Jesus’ blood and handing Him over to be crucified (Matthew 27:24-26).

What significant events occur during Jesus’ crucifixion in Matthew 27?

The crucifixion narrative in Matthew 27 is filled with dramatic and supernatural occurrences. After being flogged, mocked, and forced to carry His own cross, Jesus is led to Golgotha, “The Place of a Skull,” where He is crucified between two robbers (Matthew 27:33-38). Significant events during this time include:

  • Mockery: Jesus is mocked by passersby, chief priests, scribes, elders, and even the robbers crucified with Him.
  • Darkness: From noon until three in the afternoon, “darkness came over all the land” (Matthew 27:45), a supernatural sign marking the profound significance of the event.
  • The Cry of Dereliction: Around three in the afternoon, Jesus cries out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). This agonizing cry, a quotation from Psalm 22:1, expresses the depth of His suffering as He bore the sin of humanity.
  • The Tearing of the Temple Veil: At the moment of Jesus’ death, “the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51). This symbolic event signified that the barrier between God and humanity had been removed, and access to God was now open through Christ’s sacrifice.
  • Earthquake and Resurrection of Saints: An earthquake occurs, rocks split, and tombs are opened, leading to the resurrection of many holy people (Matthew 27:51-53), further emphasizing the cosmic impact of Jesus’ death.
  • Centurion’s Confession: Witnessing these events, the Roman centurion and those with him guarding Jesus declare, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54).

How is Jesus buried according to Matthew 27?

After Jesus’ death, Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man and a disciple of Jesus, bravely approaches Pilate and asks for Jesus’ body. Pilate grants the request. Joseph wraps Jesus’ body in a clean linen shroud and lays it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out of the rock. He then rolls a large stone against the entrance of the tomb (Matthew 27:57-60). The women, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, witness where Jesus is laid.

The chief priests and Pharisees, remembering Jesus’ prophecy that He would rise after three days, request Pilate to secure the tomb until the third day, fearing the disciples might steal the body and claim He had risen. Pilate allows them to “make it as secure as you can” (Matthew 27:65), so they seal the tomb and set a guard. This action, intended to prevent the resurrection narrative, ironically provides additional testimony to the empty tomb later recounted in Matthew 28. Matthew 27 powerfully conveys the gravity of the crucifixion, detailing both human culpability and divine intervention, setting the stage for the ultimate victory of the resurrection.