Matthew 27:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor 's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him.

NIV: Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him.

NASB: Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort to Him.

CSB: Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the governor’s residence and gathered the whole company around him.

NLT: Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment.

KJV: Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.

NKJV: Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him.

Pilate's soldiers take Jesus into the courtyard of the governor's headquarters, also known as the Praetorium. All of them gather to participate in mocking Jesus as the King of the Jews. A full battalion of Roman soldiers would have included 600 men at full strength. It's unclear whether that many were stationed there at this time. Given the crowds coming into Jerusalem for Passover (Matthew 26:17), that's entirely possible.

John notes that Jesus was scourged and humiliated before Pilate issued his final sentence (John 19:1–5). Matthew's account, in keeping with his style, seems to arrange Jesus' experiences by theme, instead. So, he details these physical abuses in a single block, continuing through the crucifixion.

That so many soldiers are present in this mockery adds to the list of those who could be held directly responsible for Jesus' torture and death. The list begins with Judas and the Jewish religious leaders. It includes, as well, Pilate, his soldiers, and all the people in the crowd who called for Jesus' crucifixion. On a larger scale, though, those responsible for Jesus' death include everyone who has ever lived. Jesus became the sacrifice for human sin, something of which every person is guilty (Romans 3:23). Everyone who comes to faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sin benefits from His death, as well. We would be lost without it.

Even knowing this, it can be difficult to imagine Him being mistreated with such profound cruelty by the vicious Roman soldiers in the following verses.

Matthew 27:27–31 describes Roman soldiers abusing Jesus inside the governor's headquarters. Most of this mistreatment occurred before His final sentencing, but Matthew continues to group events by theme more than by time. The soldiers strip off Jesus' clothes and dress Him as a mock king. They place a robe on Him, along with a crown made of thorns, and a reed for a scepter. Then the soldiers kneel before Jesus and sarcastically praise Him as the "King of Jews!" Finally, they spit on Jesus and hit Him with the reed before putting His own clothes back on His tattered body and leading Him off to be crucified. Further details are found in John 19:1–6.

When Judas learns Jesus has been condemned, he regrets betraying the Lord. He throws down his ill-gotten money and hangs himself. Jesus is taken to Pilate, who finds nothing to charge Him with. Given the choice, the people shout for the release of a convicted murderer and insist on Jesus' death. Jesus is mocked by a battalion of soldiers and then taken to be crucified. On the cross, He is mocked for not being able to save Himself. After three hours of darkness, Jesus dies. He is buried by a rich follower in a new tomb. This location is tightly guarded to prevent anyone from stealing the body.

Matthew 27 begins with an official meeting of the Jewish ruling council. They affirm Jesus' condemnation from the previous night, described in chapter 26. Judas confesses his betrayal and hangs himself. Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the mob shouts for Jesus to be crucified. Jesus is humiliated by Roman soldiers and marched to be executed. On the cross, He is mocked by Jewish religious leaders and others. He dies and is buried in a never-used tomb. Extensive efforts to secure His body from being stolen only serve to prove the miraculous nature of His resurrection, which is detailed in chapter 28.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.