Matthew 27:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.

NIV: Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed.

NASB: Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death;

CSB: When daybreak came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put him to death.

NLT: Very early in the morning the leading priests and the elders of the people met again to lay plans for putting Jesus to death.

KJV: When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

NKJV: When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death.

During a hasty sham trial, conducted in the night at the home of the chief priest, Jesus had been found guilty and deserving of death. This involved at least some members of the Jewish ruling council known as the Sanhedrin. Using language from Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13, Jesus had "confessed" to being the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God. Since the Jewish religious leaders refused to believe this could possibly be true, they convicted Him of blasphemy (Matthew 26:57–68).

However, that trial was not technically legal. Traditional Jewish law of that time required any trial involving a death penalty offense to be held openly during the day. Such an event would normally have taken place in the temple. So, when morning arrives, a second, ceremonial "trial" is convened. They simply affirm the verdict the group had made under the cover of darkness, which is also the same sentence determined long before (John 11:53): Jesus was to be put to death.

Matthew 27:1–2 briefly describes events taking place on the morning following Jesus' conviction and condemnation during the night. Jewish legal procedure of the time required a death penalty trial to be held during the daytime. For the sake of appearances, the council again condemned Jesus and sentenced Him to death. They did not have the authority to enact such a sentence, however. They needed Roman approval to do that. So, they tie Jesus up and march Him over to Pilate, the Roman governor of the region, in hopes he will agree to have Jesus executed. Mark 15:1, Luke 23:1, and John 18:28 offer the same information.

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.

Accessed 5/3/2024 7:54:20 PM