Matthew 27:41 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying,

NIV: In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him.

NASB: In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying,

CSB: In the same way the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him and said,

NLT: The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus.

KJV: Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

NKJV: Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said,

Matthew pictures a parade of mockers walking past the cross and hurling insults at Jesus (Matthew 27:35–40). Some might have been random travelers coming and going from the city (John 19:20). Others could have been those who recognized Jesus and had never liked His message (John 7:43; 9:16; 10:19). As shown here, some of this abuse was likely encouraged or even inspired by the religious leaders who had conspired to have Jesus executed (John 11:48–53).

Among the local leaders participating in this hate are chief priests, scribes, and elders. All three groups are represented on the Sanhedrin: the Jewish ruling body which condemned Jesus to death (Matthew 26:63–66) and coerced the Roman governor to carry out the execution (Matthew 27:24). Their words are hurtful, echoing the very same approach used by Satan. He had taunted Jesus to prove Himself as the Son of God by using His power contrary to God's will (Matthew 4:1–11).

Their mockery of Jesus takes the form of talking to each other, not directly to Him. They believe they have won, and Jesus has lost. They have come to viciously celebrate the results of their conspiracy (John 11:48–53).

Matthew 27:32–44 describes Jesus' march to the cross, aided by a man named Simon of Cyrene. Jesus is offered a numbing, bitter wine, but refuses it, and is nailed to the cross. Soldiers gamble for His clothes. A somewhat sarcastic sign above Him reads "the King of the Jews." Observers, including several Jewish religious leaders, mock Jesus for not being able to save Himself. Even the criminals being executed on either side of Jesus insult Him. Mark 15:20–32, Luke 23:36–43, and John 19:16–27 cover this same process.

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.