Matthew 27

Matthew 27:1

Judas Betrays the Lord

Judas is so close by that he appears on the scene while the Lord is still speaking. With his arrival he interrupts Him, as it were, in His teaching of the disciples. But the Lord is ready for it. Judas is emphatically named “one of the twelve”. It has been particularly painful for the Lord that it is someone from the company that He had gathered around Him and that has experienced Him so closely.

Judas doesn’t come alone. He heads up a large crowd armed with swords and clubs. It is this great crowd that has listened so often to the Lord and has been amazed by His words and has experienced His acts of blessing. They come because the chief priests and elders of the people have sent them. It is that easy to influence the crowd.

Judas, again called “he who was betraying Him”, had given them a sign to indicate Who they should seize. Was it possible that they would be mistaken with Him Who had been with them for so long? It was dark and the Lord was not a particularly remarkable Person when it comes to His outer appearance. The other disciples are men of His age group.

The agreed sign is the most painful sign that could be conceived. The kiss is a sign of love. Judas uses this sign of love to betray Him. He can no longer be stopped by anything and carries out his wicked and hypocritical work of betrayal. He kisses the Lord intimately. How hardened must the traitor have been, being completely in the grip of satan.

The Lord’s reaction, as His whole activity in this event, is of a special nature and substance. He doesn’t start to swear or hit, but speaks to Judas with His Divine love for the last time. He addresses Judas with “friend”. Then He asks the revealing question: “What you have come for”? He offers Judas a last chance to reflect. But Judas is no longer reachable by any of His words.

The crowd goes to Him, lays hands on Him and seize Him by force. It is as if they want to prevent Him from leaving. What foolish, nonsensical actions a man can come to if he is blind to the glory of Christ. He is the One Who gives them the power to perform their wicked deeds; He gives them the power to seize Him.

Matthew 27:2

Judas Betrays the Lord

Judas is so close by that he appears on the scene while the Lord is still speaking. With his arrival he interrupts Him, as it were, in His teaching of the disciples. But the Lord is ready for it. Judas is emphatically named “one of the twelve”. It has been particularly painful for the Lord that it is someone from the company that He had gathered around Him and that has experienced Him so closely.

Judas doesn’t come alone. He heads up a large crowd armed with swords and clubs. It is this great crowd that has listened so often to the Lord and has been amazed by His words and has experienced His acts of blessing. They come because the chief priests and elders of the people have sent them. It is that easy to influence the crowd.

Judas, again called “he who was betraying Him”, had given them a sign to indicate Who they should seize. Was it possible that they would be mistaken with Him Who had been with them for so long? It was dark and the Lord was not a particularly remarkable Person when it comes to His outer appearance. The other disciples are men of His age group.

The agreed sign is the most painful sign that could be conceived. The kiss is a sign of love. Judas uses this sign of love to betray Him. He can no longer be stopped by anything and carries out his wicked and hypocritical work of betrayal. He kisses the Lord intimately. How hardened must the traitor have been, being completely in the grip of satan.

The Lord’s reaction, as His whole activity in this event, is of a special nature and substance. He doesn’t start to swear or hit, but speaks to Judas with His Divine love for the last time. He addresses Judas with “friend”. Then He asks the revealing question: “What you have come for”? He offers Judas a last chance to reflect. But Judas is no longer reachable by any of His words.

The crowd goes to Him, lays hands on Him and seize Him by force. It is as if they want to prevent Him from leaving. What foolish, nonsensical actions a man can come to if he is blind to the glory of Christ. He is the One Who gives them the power to perform their wicked deeds; He gives them the power to seize Him.

Matthew 27:3

Judas Betrays the Lord

Judas is so close by that he appears on the scene while the Lord is still speaking. With his arrival he interrupts Him, as it were, in His teaching of the disciples. But the Lord is ready for it. Judas is emphatically named “one of the twelve”. It has been particularly painful for the Lord that it is someone from the company that He had gathered around Him and that has experienced Him so closely.

Judas doesn’t come alone. He heads up a large crowd armed with swords and clubs. It is this great crowd that has listened so often to the Lord and has been amazed by His words and has experienced His acts of blessing. They come because the chief priests and elders of the people have sent them. It is that easy to influence the crowd.

Judas, again called “he who was betraying Him”, had given them a sign to indicate Who they should seize. Was it possible that they would be mistaken with Him Who had been with them for so long? It was dark and the Lord was not a particularly remarkable Person when it comes to His outer appearance. The other disciples are men of His age group.

The agreed sign is the most painful sign that could be conceived. The kiss is a sign of love. Judas uses this sign of love to betray Him. He can no longer be stopped by anything and carries out his wicked and hypocritical work of betrayal. He kisses the Lord intimately. How hardened must the traitor have been, being completely in the grip of satan.

The Lord’s reaction, as His whole activity in this event, is of a special nature and substance. He doesn’t start to swear or hit, but speaks to Judas with His Divine love for the last time. He addresses Judas with “friend”. Then He asks the revealing question: “What you have come for”? He offers Judas a last chance to reflect. But Judas is no longer reachable by any of His words.

The crowd goes to Him, lays hands on Him and seize Him by force. It is as if they want to prevent Him from leaving. What foolish, nonsensical actions a man can come to if he is blind to the glory of Christ. He is the One Who gives them the power to perform their wicked deeds; He gives them the power to seize Him.

Matthew 27:4

Judas Betrays the Lord

Judas is so close by that he appears on the scene while the Lord is still speaking. With his arrival he interrupts Him, as it were, in His teaching of the disciples. But the Lord is ready for it. Judas is emphatically named “one of the twelve”. It has been particularly painful for the Lord that it is someone from the company that He had gathered around Him and that has experienced Him so closely.

Judas doesn’t come alone. He heads up a large crowd armed with swords and clubs. It is this great crowd that has listened so often to the Lord and has been amazed by His words and has experienced His acts of blessing. They come because the chief priests and elders of the people have sent them. It is that easy to influence the crowd.

Judas, again called “he who was betraying Him”, had given them a sign to indicate Who they should seize. Was it possible that they would be mistaken with Him Who had been with them for so long? It was dark and the Lord was not a particularly remarkable Person when it comes to His outer appearance. The other disciples are men of His age group.

The agreed sign is the most painful sign that could be conceived. The kiss is a sign of love. Judas uses this sign of love to betray Him. He can no longer be stopped by anything and carries out his wicked and hypocritical work of betrayal. He kisses the Lord intimately. How hardened must the traitor have been, being completely in the grip of satan.

The Lord’s reaction, as His whole activity in this event, is of a special nature and substance. He doesn’t start to swear or hit, but speaks to Judas with His Divine love for the last time. He addresses Judas with “friend”. Then He asks the revealing question: “What you have come for”? He offers Judas a last chance to reflect. But Judas is no longer reachable by any of His words.

The crowd goes to Him, lays hands on Him and seize Him by force. It is as if they want to prevent Him from leaving. What foolish, nonsensical actions a man can come to if he is blind to the glory of Christ. He is the One Who gives them the power to perform their wicked deeds; He gives them the power to seize Him.

Matthew 27:5

To Fulfil the Scriptures

One of His disciples wants to defend His Lord. He also does not realize Who He is, as if He were not able to defend Himself. The disciple does not help, but causes damage to one of the opponents, i.e. the slave of the high priest. The fact that the high priest has a slave means that he is served by someone he has subdued. But isn’t it the task of the high priest to serve others? The high priest has sent his slave to participate in this evil work of capturing the Son of God.

Matthew does not mention that the Lord heals the ear. He does mention that the Lord reproves His disciple. The sword should be in the sheath and not pulled out. Whosoever takes up the sword shall perish by it (Revelation 13:10). It is now the time of suffering. Going the way of suffering is the way of the Father.

He could have prayed to the Father to send angels. These angels are ready to carry out the judgment of all those who offend the Son at one wink of the Father. The angels will have held their breath in watching this scene in which their Creator is being captured by puny creatures. However, it is not the execution of the verdict on evil that is at issue, but the fulfilment of the Scriptures of the prophets.

After the Lord has addressed the betraying Judas and His straying disciple, He addresses the crowds. He also asks them a question that must awaken their conscience. Why do they come to capture Him as if He were a robber? What has He stolen from them? He did nothing but give, didn’t He? And why do they come with swords and clubs? Have they ever seen Him fighting? Did His performance ever frighten them? Has He not always been kind and full of love for them? And why are they coming now? He was with them daily in the temple and they heard and enjoyed His teaching. He wants to wake them up and make them realize that they have been persuaded to commit a crime.

He Himself gives the explanation of their actions, without diminishing their responsibility to any extent. He is perfect Lord and Master of and in everything that happens. Nothing comes as a surprise to Him because He takes the Scriptures as His guide. If we know the Scriptures and let ourselves be guided by them, there will be fewer things in our lives that will upset us. We learn through the Scriptures that God is above everything and nothing gets out of His hand. We learn that we can trust Him in all circumstances (Romans 15:4).

At this moment, the disciples can no longer bear it. The threat of superior numbers makes them flee. With this they forsake Him and leave Him alone. They let Him down.

Matthew 27:6

To Fulfil the Scriptures

One of His disciples wants to defend His Lord. He also does not realize Who He is, as if He were not able to defend Himself. The disciple does not help, but causes damage to one of the opponents, i.e. the slave of the high priest. The fact that the high priest has a slave means that he is served by someone he has subdued. But isn’t it the task of the high priest to serve others? The high priest has sent his slave to participate in this evil work of capturing the Son of God.

Matthew does not mention that the Lord heals the ear. He does mention that the Lord reproves His disciple. The sword should be in the sheath and not pulled out. Whosoever takes up the sword shall perish by it (Revelation 13:10). It is now the time of suffering. Going the way of suffering is the way of the Father.

He could have prayed to the Father to send angels. These angels are ready to carry out the judgment of all those who offend the Son at one wink of the Father. The angels will have held their breath in watching this scene in which their Creator is being captured by puny creatures. However, it is not the execution of the verdict on evil that is at issue, but the fulfilment of the Scriptures of the prophets.

After the Lord has addressed the betraying Judas and His straying disciple, He addresses the crowds. He also asks them a question that must awaken their conscience. Why do they come to capture Him as if He were a robber? What has He stolen from them? He did nothing but give, didn’t He? And why do they come with swords and clubs? Have they ever seen Him fighting? Did His performance ever frighten them? Has He not always been kind and full of love for them? And why are they coming now? He was with them daily in the temple and they heard and enjoyed His teaching. He wants to wake them up and make them realize that they have been persuaded to commit a crime.

He Himself gives the explanation of their actions, without diminishing their responsibility to any extent. He is perfect Lord and Master of and in everything that happens. Nothing comes as a surprise to Him because He takes the Scriptures as His guide. If we know the Scriptures and let ourselves be guided by them, there will be fewer things in our lives that will upset us. We learn through the Scriptures that God is above everything and nothing gets out of His hand. We learn that we can trust Him in all circumstances (Romans 15:4).

At this moment, the disciples can no longer bear it. The threat of superior numbers makes them flee. With this they forsake Him and leave Him alone. They let Him down.

Matthew 27:7

To Fulfil the Scriptures

One of His disciples wants to defend His Lord. He also does not realize Who He is, as if He were not able to defend Himself. The disciple does not help, but causes damage to one of the opponents, i.e. the slave of the high priest. The fact that the high priest has a slave means that he is served by someone he has subdued. But isn’t it the task of the high priest to serve others? The high priest has sent his slave to participate in this evil work of capturing the Son of God.

Matthew does not mention that the Lord heals the ear. He does mention that the Lord reproves His disciple. The sword should be in the sheath and not pulled out. Whosoever takes up the sword shall perish by it (Revelation 13:10). It is now the time of suffering. Going the way of suffering is the way of the Father.

He could have prayed to the Father to send angels. These angels are ready to carry out the judgment of all those who offend the Son at one wink of the Father. The angels will have held their breath in watching this scene in which their Creator is being captured by puny creatures. However, it is not the execution of the verdict on evil that is at issue, but the fulfilment of the Scriptures of the prophets.

After the Lord has addressed the betraying Judas and His straying disciple, He addresses the crowds. He also asks them a question that must awaken their conscience. Why do they come to capture Him as if He were a robber? What has He stolen from them? He did nothing but give, didn’t He? And why do they come with swords and clubs? Have they ever seen Him fighting? Did His performance ever frighten them? Has He not always been kind and full of love for them? And why are they coming now? He was with them daily in the temple and they heard and enjoyed His teaching. He wants to wake them up and make them realize that they have been persuaded to commit a crime.

He Himself gives the explanation of their actions, without diminishing their responsibility to any extent. He is perfect Lord and Master of and in everything that happens. Nothing comes as a surprise to Him because He takes the Scriptures as His guide. If we know the Scriptures and let ourselves be guided by them, there will be fewer things in our lives that will upset us. We learn through the Scriptures that God is above everything and nothing gets out of His hand. We learn that we can trust Him in all circumstances (Romans 15:4).

At this moment, the disciples can no longer bear it. The threat of superior numbers makes them flee. With this they forsake Him and leave Him alone. They let Him down.

Matthew 27:8

To Fulfil the Scriptures

One of His disciples wants to defend His Lord. He also does not realize Who He is, as if He were not able to defend Himself. The disciple does not help, but causes damage to one of the opponents, i.e. the slave of the high priest. The fact that the high priest has a slave means that he is served by someone he has subdued. But isn’t it the task of the high priest to serve others? The high priest has sent his slave to participate in this evil work of capturing the Son of God.

Matthew does not mention that the Lord heals the ear. He does mention that the Lord reproves His disciple. The sword should be in the sheath and not pulled out. Whosoever takes up the sword shall perish by it (Revelation 13:10). It is now the time of suffering. Going the way of suffering is the way of the Father.

He could have prayed to the Father to send angels. These angels are ready to carry out the judgment of all those who offend the Son at one wink of the Father. The angels will have held their breath in watching this scene in which their Creator is being captured by puny creatures. However, it is not the execution of the verdict on evil that is at issue, but the fulfilment of the Scriptures of the prophets.

After the Lord has addressed the betraying Judas and His straying disciple, He addresses the crowds. He also asks them a question that must awaken their conscience. Why do they come to capture Him as if He were a robber? What has He stolen from them? He did nothing but give, didn’t He? And why do they come with swords and clubs? Have they ever seen Him fighting? Did His performance ever frighten them? Has He not always been kind and full of love for them? And why are they coming now? He was with them daily in the temple and they heard and enjoyed His teaching. He wants to wake them up and make them realize that they have been persuaded to commit a crime.

He Himself gives the explanation of their actions, without diminishing their responsibility to any extent. He is perfect Lord and Master of and in everything that happens. Nothing comes as a surprise to Him because He takes the Scriptures as His guide. If we know the Scriptures and let ourselves be guided by them, there will be fewer things in our lives that will upset us. We learn through the Scriptures that God is above everything and nothing gets out of His hand. We learn that we can trust Him in all circumstances (Romans 15:4).

At this moment, the disciples can no longer bear it. The threat of superior numbers makes them flee. With this they forsake Him and leave Him alone. They let Him down.

Matthew 27:9

To Fulfil the Scriptures

One of His disciples wants to defend His Lord. He also does not realize Who He is, as if He were not able to defend Himself. The disciple does not help, but causes damage to one of the opponents, i.e. the slave of the high priest. The fact that the high priest has a slave means that he is served by someone he has subdued. But isn’t it the task of the high priest to serve others? The high priest has sent his slave to participate in this evil work of capturing the Son of God.

Matthew does not mention that the Lord heals the ear. He does mention that the Lord reproves His disciple. The sword should be in the sheath and not pulled out. Whosoever takes up the sword shall perish by it (Revelation 13:10). It is now the time of suffering. Going the way of suffering is the way of the Father.

He could have prayed to the Father to send angels. These angels are ready to carry out the judgment of all those who offend the Son at one wink of the Father. The angels will have held their breath in watching this scene in which their Creator is being captured by puny creatures. However, it is not the execution of the verdict on evil that is at issue, but the fulfilment of the Scriptures of the prophets.

After the Lord has addressed the betraying Judas and His straying disciple, He addresses the crowds. He also asks them a question that must awaken their conscience. Why do they come to capture Him as if He were a robber? What has He stolen from them? He did nothing but give, didn’t He? And why do they come with swords and clubs? Have they ever seen Him fighting? Did His performance ever frighten them? Has He not always been kind and full of love for them? And why are they coming now? He was with them daily in the temple and they heard and enjoyed His teaching. He wants to wake them up and make them realize that they have been persuaded to commit a crime.

He Himself gives the explanation of their actions, without diminishing their responsibility to any extent. He is perfect Lord and Master of and in everything that happens. Nothing comes as a surprise to Him because He takes the Scriptures as His guide. If we know the Scriptures and let ourselves be guided by them, there will be fewer things in our lives that will upset us. We learn through the Scriptures that God is above everything and nothing gets out of His hand. We learn that we can trust Him in all circumstances (Romans 15:4).

At this moment, the disciples can no longer bear it. The threat of superior numbers makes them flee. With this they forsake Him and leave Him alone. They let Him down.

Matthew 27:10

To Fulfil the Scriptures

One of His disciples wants to defend His Lord. He also does not realize Who He is, as if He were not able to defend Himself. The disciple does not help, but causes damage to one of the opponents, i.e. the slave of the high priest. The fact that the high priest has a slave means that he is served by someone he has subdued. But isn’t it the task of the high priest to serve others? The high priest has sent his slave to participate in this evil work of capturing the Son of God.

Matthew does not mention that the Lord heals the ear. He does mention that the Lord reproves His disciple. The sword should be in the sheath and not pulled out. Whosoever takes up the sword shall perish by it (Revelation 13:10). It is now the time of suffering. Going the way of suffering is the way of the Father.

He could have prayed to the Father to send angels. These angels are ready to carry out the judgment of all those who offend the Son at one wink of the Father. The angels will have held their breath in watching this scene in which their Creator is being captured by puny creatures. However, it is not the execution of the verdict on evil that is at issue, but the fulfilment of the Scriptures of the prophets.

After the Lord has addressed the betraying Judas and His straying disciple, He addresses the crowds. He also asks them a question that must awaken their conscience. Why do they come to capture Him as if He were a robber? What has He stolen from them? He did nothing but give, didn’t He? And why do they come with swords and clubs? Have they ever seen Him fighting? Did His performance ever frighten them? Has He not always been kind and full of love for them? And why are they coming now? He was with them daily in the temple and they heard and enjoyed His teaching. He wants to wake them up and make them realize that they have been persuaded to commit a crime.

He Himself gives the explanation of their actions, without diminishing their responsibility to any extent. He is perfect Lord and Master of and in everything that happens. Nothing comes as a surprise to Him because He takes the Scriptures as His guide. If we know the Scriptures and let ourselves be guided by them, there will be fewer things in our lives that will upset us. We learn through the Scriptures that God is above everything and nothing gets out of His hand. We learn that we can trust Him in all circumstances (Romans 15:4).

At this moment, the disciples can no longer bear it. The threat of superior numbers makes them flee. With this they forsake Him and leave Him alone. They let Him down.

Matthew 27:11

Many False Witnesses

Those who have taken the Lord prisoner believe that they have Him in their power and can do with Him what they want. But the Lord allows Himself to be carried away like a lamb led to slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). They bring Him to the high priest Caiaphas. It was there that the scribes and elders gathered. The religious leaders had determined that He would stand trial before them. The Son of God would be judged and condemned by these people, for the outcome was certain.

Peter, who had previously fled with all the other disciples, wants to know what is going to happen to his Lord. In his curiosity and also out of love for Him he follows Him. Only, he follows Him “at a distance”. That is the portent of his fall. If we do not remain close to the Lord, the fall is near.

After a brief look at Peter, Matthew takes us back to the trial against the Lord. Never has there been such a trampling of justice as in the trial against Christ. And that’s just if we read how the ‘judges’ look for false witnesses. We are not dealing here with people who misjudge a case or are misled, but with people who consciously seek false witnesses. That is how corrupt they are. What court case has ever started in such a way that judges diligently seek liars to convict the accused? That’s how it is here, and Christ is silent. The testimony of the Scriptures is brief: “They did not find [any]”.

And how they did their best to condemn Him on the basis of false testimony, for they brought “many false witnesses” forward. None of these false witnesses is mentioned by name, but God knows them all. What a responsibility to make a false testimony against Christ. They are not ignorant people, but people who distort the facts to give false judges a reason for conviction. It doesn’t have to be true, as long as it sounds plausible. But nothing is found.

At the very end, two false witnesses come up and say something the Lord has almost said in this way (John 2:19). Only they do not quote Him well, nor do they understand what He said. They think he spoke of the temple building, while He spoke of His body. Indeed His body is the temple of God in the true sense of the word. The fullness of the Godhead dwelled on earth and dwells forever bodily in Him (Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9).

Matthew 27:12

Many False Witnesses

Those who have taken the Lord prisoner believe that they have Him in their power and can do with Him what they want. But the Lord allows Himself to be carried away like a lamb led to slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). They bring Him to the high priest Caiaphas. It was there that the scribes and elders gathered. The religious leaders had determined that He would stand trial before them. The Son of God would be judged and condemned by these people, for the outcome was certain.

Peter, who had previously fled with all the other disciples, wants to know what is going to happen to his Lord. In his curiosity and also out of love for Him he follows Him. Only, he follows Him “at a distance”. That is the portent of his fall. If we do not remain close to the Lord, the fall is near.

After a brief look at Peter, Matthew takes us back to the trial against the Lord. Never has there been such a trampling of justice as in the trial against Christ. And that’s just if we read how the ‘judges’ look for false witnesses. We are not dealing here with people who misjudge a case or are misled, but with people who consciously seek false witnesses. That is how corrupt they are. What court case has ever started in such a way that judges diligently seek liars to convict the accused? That’s how it is here, and Christ is silent. The testimony of the Scriptures is brief: “They did not find [any]”.

And how they did their best to condemn Him on the basis of false testimony, for they brought “many false witnesses” forward. None of these false witnesses is mentioned by name, but God knows them all. What a responsibility to make a false testimony against Christ. They are not ignorant people, but people who distort the facts to give false judges a reason for conviction. It doesn’t have to be true, as long as it sounds plausible. But nothing is found.

At the very end, two false witnesses come up and say something the Lord has almost said in this way (John 2:19). Only they do not quote Him well, nor do they understand what He said. They think he spoke of the temple building, while He spoke of His body. Indeed His body is the temple of God in the true sense of the word. The fullness of the Godhead dwelled on earth and dwells forever bodily in Him (Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9).

Matthew 27:13

Many False Witnesses

Those who have taken the Lord prisoner believe that they have Him in their power and can do with Him what they want. But the Lord allows Himself to be carried away like a lamb led to slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). They bring Him to the high priest Caiaphas. It was there that the scribes and elders gathered. The religious leaders had determined that He would stand trial before them. The Son of God would be judged and condemned by these people, for the outcome was certain.

Peter, who had previously fled with all the other disciples, wants to know what is going to happen to his Lord. In his curiosity and also out of love for Him he follows Him. Only, he follows Him “at a distance”. That is the portent of his fall. If we do not remain close to the Lord, the fall is near.

After a brief look at Peter, Matthew takes us back to the trial against the Lord. Never has there been such a trampling of justice as in the trial against Christ. And that’s just if we read how the ‘judges’ look for false witnesses. We are not dealing here with people who misjudge a case or are misled, but with people who consciously seek false witnesses. That is how corrupt they are. What court case has ever started in such a way that judges diligently seek liars to convict the accused? That’s how it is here, and Christ is silent. The testimony of the Scriptures is brief: “They did not find [any]”.

And how they did their best to condemn Him on the basis of false testimony, for they brought “many false witnesses” forward. None of these false witnesses is mentioned by name, but God knows them all. What a responsibility to make a false testimony against Christ. They are not ignorant people, but people who distort the facts to give false judges a reason for conviction. It doesn’t have to be true, as long as it sounds plausible. But nothing is found.

At the very end, two false witnesses come up and say something the Lord has almost said in this way (John 2:19). Only they do not quote Him well, nor do they understand what He said. They think he spoke of the temple building, while He spoke of His body. Indeed His body is the temple of God in the true sense of the word. The fullness of the Godhead dwelled on earth and dwells forever bodily in Him (Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9).

Matthew 27:14

Many False Witnesses

Those who have taken the Lord prisoner believe that they have Him in their power and can do with Him what they want. But the Lord allows Himself to be carried away like a lamb led to slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). They bring Him to the high priest Caiaphas. It was there that the scribes and elders gathered. The religious leaders had determined that He would stand trial before them. The Son of God would be judged and condemned by these people, for the outcome was certain.

Peter, who had previously fled with all the other disciples, wants to know what is going to happen to his Lord. In his curiosity and also out of love for Him he follows Him. Only, he follows Him “at a distance”. That is the portent of his fall. If we do not remain close to the Lord, the fall is near.

After a brief look at Peter, Matthew takes us back to the trial against the Lord. Never has there been such a trampling of justice as in the trial against Christ. And that’s just if we read how the ‘judges’ look for false witnesses. We are not dealing here with people who misjudge a case or are misled, but with people who consciously seek false witnesses. That is how corrupt they are. What court case has ever started in such a way that judges diligently seek liars to convict the accused? That’s how it is here, and Christ is silent. The testimony of the Scriptures is brief: “They did not find [any]”.

And how they did their best to condemn Him on the basis of false testimony, for they brought “many false witnesses” forward. None of these false witnesses is mentioned by name, but God knows them all. What a responsibility to make a false testimony against Christ. They are not ignorant people, but people who distort the facts to give false judges a reason for conviction. It doesn’t have to be true, as long as it sounds plausible. But nothing is found.

At the very end, two false witnesses come up and say something the Lord has almost said in this way (John 2:19). Only they do not quote Him well, nor do they understand what He said. They think he spoke of the temple building, while He spoke of His body. Indeed His body is the temple of God in the true sense of the word. The fullness of the Godhead dwelled on earth and dwells forever bodily in Him (Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9).

Matthew 27:15

Many False Witnesses

Those who have taken the Lord prisoner believe that they have Him in their power and can do with Him what they want. But the Lord allows Himself to be carried away like a lamb led to slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). They bring Him to the high priest Caiaphas. It was there that the scribes and elders gathered. The religious leaders had determined that He would stand trial before them. The Son of God would be judged and condemned by these people, for the outcome was certain.

Peter, who had previously fled with all the other disciples, wants to know what is going to happen to his Lord. In his curiosity and also out of love for Him he follows Him. Only, he follows Him “at a distance”. That is the portent of his fall. If we do not remain close to the Lord, the fall is near.

After a brief look at Peter, Matthew takes us back to the trial against the Lord. Never has there been such a trampling of justice as in the trial against Christ. And that’s just if we read how the ‘judges’ look for false witnesses. We are not dealing here with people who misjudge a case or are misled, but with people who consciously seek false witnesses. That is how corrupt they are. What court case has ever started in such a way that judges diligently seek liars to convict the accused? That’s how it is here, and Christ is silent. The testimony of the Scriptures is brief: “They did not find [any]”.

And how they did their best to condemn Him on the basis of false testimony, for they brought “many false witnesses” forward. None of these false witnesses is mentioned by name, but God knows them all. What a responsibility to make a false testimony against Christ. They are not ignorant people, but people who distort the facts to give false judges a reason for conviction. It doesn’t have to be true, as long as it sounds plausible. But nothing is found.

At the very end, two false witnesses come up and say something the Lord has almost said in this way (John 2:19). Only they do not quote Him well, nor do they understand what He said. They think he spoke of the temple building, while He spoke of His body. Indeed His body is the temple of God in the true sense of the word. The fullness of the Godhead dwelled on earth and dwells forever bodily in Him (Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9).

Matthew 27:16

Convicted for the Truth

During all the false accusations, the Lord has said nothing. The high priest can’t stand this. He wants to force Him to make a statement. But the Lord does not allow Himself to be forced. He is, as always, perfect Master of the situation. Then the high priest takes refuge in the oath and adjures Him by the living God. The man is so blind and so far from God that he does not realize that the living God is before him. He wants the Lord to say whether He is the Christ, the Son of God. If He were to say so, they would have proof that He blasphemed God and thereby have a reason to condemn Him.

The Lord now opens His mouth to confess the truth about His Person. He confesses the glory of His Person as Son of God. He adds, however, that from now on they will no longer see the Son of Man in the meekness of Someone Who does not break the bruised reed (Isaiah 42:3), but as Someone Who sits at the right hand of power and comes with the clouds of heaven. He points to the position of glory that He will take in heaven, as it says in Psalms 110 (Psalms 110:1), and to His coming in glory from heaven to earth, as spoken about in Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:13).

This confession is what the high priest needs. In hypocrisy he tears his robes as if he has heard something awful that plunges him into mourning. He pronounces and asks for approval. The scribes and elders agree with the accusation and judge the Lord guilty of death. Thus the Lord Jesus is condemned on the ground of the truth, the testimony of His own Person.

As if they had not gone low enough, the high men are falling to their lowest level ever. To their blatant condemnation of the Righteous, they add the most brutal insults that can be given to a human being. The high priest does not intervene, but enjoys it and may have himself participated.

The Lord has not been spared any humiliation. Not only did they hurt Him physically, but their questions also hurt His soul. They mock Him as the Prophet. They mockingly call Him “Christ”. They challenge Him to say who hit Him. One day He will answer this question to their great dismay when they appear before the great white throne. Hopefully there will be those who have come to repentance and therefore have discovered before then that He knew who was hitting Him.

Matthew 27:17

Convicted for the Truth

During all the false accusations, the Lord has said nothing. The high priest can’t stand this. He wants to force Him to make a statement. But the Lord does not allow Himself to be forced. He is, as always, perfect Master of the situation. Then the high priest takes refuge in the oath and adjures Him by the living God. The man is so blind and so far from God that he does not realize that the living God is before him. He wants the Lord to say whether He is the Christ, the Son of God. If He were to say so, they would have proof that He blasphemed God and thereby have a reason to condemn Him.

The Lord now opens His mouth to confess the truth about His Person. He confesses the glory of His Person as Son of God. He adds, however, that from now on they will no longer see the Son of Man in the meekness of Someone Who does not break the bruised reed (Isaiah 42:3), but as Someone Who sits at the right hand of power and comes with the clouds of heaven. He points to the position of glory that He will take in heaven, as it says in Psalms 110 (Psalms 110:1), and to His coming in glory from heaven to earth, as spoken about in Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:13).

This confession is what the high priest needs. In hypocrisy he tears his robes as if he has heard something awful that plunges him into mourning. He pronounces and asks for approval. The scribes and elders agree with the accusation and judge the Lord guilty of death. Thus the Lord Jesus is condemned on the ground of the truth, the testimony of His own Person.

As if they had not gone low enough, the high men are falling to their lowest level ever. To their blatant condemnation of the Righteous, they add the most brutal insults that can be given to a human being. The high priest does not intervene, but enjoys it and may have himself participated.

The Lord has not been spared any humiliation. Not only did they hurt Him physically, but their questions also hurt His soul. They mock Him as the Prophet. They mockingly call Him “Christ”. They challenge Him to say who hit Him. One day He will answer this question to their great dismay when they appear before the great white throne. Hopefully there will be those who have come to repentance and therefore have discovered before then that He knew who was hitting Him.

Matthew 27:18

Convicted for the Truth

During all the false accusations, the Lord has said nothing. The high priest can’t stand this. He wants to force Him to make a statement. But the Lord does not allow Himself to be forced. He is, as always, perfect Master of the situation. Then the high priest takes refuge in the oath and adjures Him by the living God. The man is so blind and so far from God that he does not realize that the living God is before him. He wants the Lord to say whether He is the Christ, the Son of God. If He were to say so, they would have proof that He blasphemed God and thereby have a reason to condemn Him.

The Lord now opens His mouth to confess the truth about His Person. He confesses the glory of His Person as Son of God. He adds, however, that from now on they will no longer see the Son of Man in the meekness of Someone Who does not break the bruised reed (Isaiah 42:3), but as Someone Who sits at the right hand of power and comes with the clouds of heaven. He points to the position of glory that He will take in heaven, as it says in Psalms 110 (Psalms 110:1), and to His coming in glory from heaven to earth, as spoken about in Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:13).

This confession is what the high priest needs. In hypocrisy he tears his robes as if he has heard something awful that plunges him into mourning. He pronounces and asks for approval. The scribes and elders agree with the accusation and judge the Lord guilty of death. Thus the Lord Jesus is condemned on the ground of the truth, the testimony of His own Person.

As if they had not gone low enough, the high men are falling to their lowest level ever. To their blatant condemnation of the Righteous, they add the most brutal insults that can be given to a human being. The high priest does not intervene, but enjoys it and may have himself participated.

The Lord has not been spared any humiliation. Not only did they hurt Him physically, but their questions also hurt His soul. They mock Him as the Prophet. They mockingly call Him “Christ”. They challenge Him to say who hit Him. One day He will answer this question to their great dismay when they appear before the great white throne. Hopefully there will be those who have come to repentance and therefore have discovered before then that He knew who was hitting Him.

Matthew 27:19

Convicted for the Truth

During all the false accusations, the Lord has said nothing. The high priest can’t stand this. He wants to force Him to make a statement. But the Lord does not allow Himself to be forced. He is, as always, perfect Master of the situation. Then the high priest takes refuge in the oath and adjures Him by the living God. The man is so blind and so far from God that he does not realize that the living God is before him. He wants the Lord to say whether He is the Christ, the Son of God. If He were to say so, they would have proof that He blasphemed God and thereby have a reason to condemn Him.

The Lord now opens His mouth to confess the truth about His Person. He confesses the glory of His Person as Son of God. He adds, however, that from now on they will no longer see the Son of Man in the meekness of Someone Who does not break the bruised reed (Isaiah 42:3), but as Someone Who sits at the right hand of power and comes with the clouds of heaven. He points to the position of glory that He will take in heaven, as it says in Psalms 110 (Psalms 110:1), and to His coming in glory from heaven to earth, as spoken about in Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:13).

This confession is what the high priest needs. In hypocrisy he tears his robes as if he has heard something awful that plunges him into mourning. He pronounces and asks for approval. The scribes and elders agree with the accusation and judge the Lord guilty of death. Thus the Lord Jesus is condemned on the ground of the truth, the testimony of His own Person.

As if they had not gone low enough, the high men are falling to their lowest level ever. To their blatant condemnation of the Righteous, they add the most brutal insults that can be given to a human being. The high priest does not intervene, but enjoys it and may have himself participated.

The Lord has not been spared any humiliation. Not only did they hurt Him physically, but their questions also hurt His soul. They mock Him as the Prophet. They mockingly call Him “Christ”. They challenge Him to say who hit Him. One day He will answer this question to their great dismay when they appear before the great white throne. Hopefully there will be those who have come to repentance and therefore have discovered before then that He knew who was hitting Him.

Matthew 27:20

Convicted for the Truth

During all the false accusations, the Lord has said nothing. The high priest can’t stand this. He wants to force Him to make a statement. But the Lord does not allow Himself to be forced. He is, as always, perfect Master of the situation. Then the high priest takes refuge in the oath and adjures Him by the living God. The man is so blind and so far from God that he does not realize that the living God is before him. He wants the Lord to say whether He is the Christ, the Son of God. If He were to say so, they would have proof that He blasphemed God and thereby have a reason to condemn Him.

The Lord now opens His mouth to confess the truth about His Person. He confesses the glory of His Person as Son of God. He adds, however, that from now on they will no longer see the Son of Man in the meekness of Someone Who does not break the bruised reed (Isaiah 42:3), but as Someone Who sits at the right hand of power and comes with the clouds of heaven. He points to the position of glory that He will take in heaven, as it says in Psalms 110 (Psalms 110:1), and to His coming in glory from heaven to earth, as spoken about in Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:13).

This confession is what the high priest needs. In hypocrisy he tears his robes as if he has heard something awful that plunges him into mourning. He pronounces and asks for approval. The scribes and elders agree with the accusation and judge the Lord guilty of death. Thus the Lord Jesus is condemned on the ground of the truth, the testimony of His own Person.

As if they had not gone low enough, the high men are falling to their lowest level ever. To their blatant condemnation of the Righteous, they add the most brutal insults that can be given to a human being. The high priest does not intervene, but enjoys it and may have himself participated.

The Lord has not been spared any humiliation. Not only did they hurt Him physically, but their questions also hurt His soul. They mock Him as the Prophet. They mockingly call Him “Christ”. They challenge Him to say who hit Him. One day He will answer this question to their great dismay when they appear before the great white throne. Hopefully there will be those who have come to repentance and therefore have discovered before then that He knew who was hitting Him.

Matthew 27:21

Convicted for the Truth

During all the false accusations, the Lord has said nothing. The high priest can’t stand this. He wants to force Him to make a statement. But the Lord does not allow Himself to be forced. He is, as always, perfect Master of the situation. Then the high priest takes refuge in the oath and adjures Him by the living God. The man is so blind and so far from God that he does not realize that the living God is before him. He wants the Lord to say whether He is the Christ, the Son of God. If He were to say so, they would have proof that He blasphemed God and thereby have a reason to condemn Him.

The Lord now opens His mouth to confess the truth about His Person. He confesses the glory of His Person as Son of God. He adds, however, that from now on they will no longer see the Son of Man in the meekness of Someone Who does not break the bruised reed (Isaiah 42:3), but as Someone Who sits at the right hand of power and comes with the clouds of heaven. He points to the position of glory that He will take in heaven, as it says in Psalms 110 (Psalms 110:1), and to His coming in glory from heaven to earth, as spoken about in Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:13).

This confession is what the high priest needs. In hypocrisy he tears his robes as if he has heard something awful that plunges him into mourning. He pronounces and asks for approval. The scribes and elders agree with the accusation and judge the Lord guilty of death. Thus the Lord Jesus is condemned on the ground of the truth, the testimony of His own Person.

As if they had not gone low enough, the high men are falling to their lowest level ever. To their blatant condemnation of the Righteous, they add the most brutal insults that can be given to a human being. The high priest does not intervene, but enjoys it and may have himself participated.

The Lord has not been spared any humiliation. Not only did they hurt Him physically, but their questions also hurt His soul. They mock Him as the Prophet. They mockingly call Him “Christ”. They challenge Him to say who hit Him. One day He will answer this question to their great dismay when they appear before the great white throne. Hopefully there will be those who have come to repentance and therefore have discovered before then that He knew who was hitting Him.

Matthew 27:22

Convicted for the Truth

During all the false accusations, the Lord has said nothing. The high priest can’t stand this. He wants to force Him to make a statement. But the Lord does not allow Himself to be forced. He is, as always, perfect Master of the situation. Then the high priest takes refuge in the oath and adjures Him by the living God. The man is so blind and so far from God that he does not realize that the living God is before him. He wants the Lord to say whether He is the Christ, the Son of God. If He were to say so, they would have proof that He blasphemed God and thereby have a reason to condemn Him.

The Lord now opens His mouth to confess the truth about His Person. He confesses the glory of His Person as Son of God. He adds, however, that from now on they will no longer see the Son of Man in the meekness of Someone Who does not break the bruised reed (Isaiah 42:3), but as Someone Who sits at the right hand of power and comes with the clouds of heaven. He points to the position of glory that He will take in heaven, as it says in Psalms 110 (Psalms 110:1), and to His coming in glory from heaven to earth, as spoken about in Daniel 7 (Daniel 7:13).

This confession is what the high priest needs. In hypocrisy he tears his robes as if he has heard something awful that plunges him into mourning. He pronounces and asks for approval. The scribes and elders agree with the accusation and judge the Lord guilty of death. Thus the Lord Jesus is condemned on the ground of the truth, the testimony of His own Person.

As if they had not gone low enough, the high men are falling to their lowest level ever. To their blatant condemnation of the Righteous, they add the most brutal insults that can be given to a human being. The high priest does not intervene, but enjoys it and may have himself participated.

The Lord has not been spared any humiliation. Not only did they hurt Him physically, but their questions also hurt His soul. They mock Him as the Prophet. They mockingly call Him “Christ”. They challenge Him to say who hit Him. One day He will answer this question to their great dismay when they appear before the great white throne. Hopefully there will be those who have come to repentance and therefore have discovered before then that He knew who was hitting Him.

Matthew 27:23

Peter Denies the Lord

Peter, who followed the Lord at a distance, has arrived in the courtyard of the high priest. There he has taken a seat among the enemies of the Lord who are warming themselves by a fire. He thinks he can stay there unnoticed to see what is happening to his Lord. Then a servant-girl comes to him who recognizes him as someone who was with “Jesus the Galilean”. What must have gone through Peter’s mind when the servant-girl said this to him. He wanted to be unknown, he hoped no one would recognize him in the dark. Because of this observation he has to show his true colors. The girl did not ask a question, she established a fact.

Then the great apostle, the first of the twelve, seeks an excuse. He pretends not to know what the servant-girl is talking about. This is tantamount to denial. It is a denial that he belongs to the Lord Jesus. All who are there hear him express his denial.

Because it has become dangerous for him there, he moves away from that place. He wants to leave the court and goes to the front gate. But there too is a servant-girl who recognizes him. She says that he belongs to “Jesus of Nazareth”. In the first case Peter is addressed personally. In this case, the woman’s comment is addressed to all those who are there. Peter again denies that he knows Him. This time his denial is stronger. He swears that he does not know Him. He also calls Him “man”, as if the Lord were no more than that.

Peter is not yet at the low point of his denial. The fall has yet to be made complete, as the Lord foretold. It is not a moment of weakness. It is a situation in which Peter has voluntarily entered. The Lord uses that situation to teach Peter what is in himself and that he is no better than the other disciples.

For the third time there will be a recognition of his relationship with the Lord Jesus, this time from a whole group. They come to him and confirm what the woman has noticed. They recognize Peter not only by his appearance, but also by his accent. Peter betrays himself through his accent which he cannot deny.

Then the fall of Peter becomes complete. In even more powerful terms, in which he even curses, he repeats his earlier statement and declares under oath that he does not know the “man”.

As soon as Peter has pronounced his third denial, the rooster crows, as the Lord foretold. That reminds Peter of the word of the Lord. This word is now doing its work in his conscience. Crushed by guilt, he goes out and weeps bitterly. His conscience is deeply touched and convinced of sin.

This is the result of the work of the Lord Jesus as the Advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1). “Jesus Christ, the righteous”, prayed for him that his faith would not fail (Luke 22:32). Therefore he goes out to weep bitterly and not to hang himself, like Judas (Matthew 27:5).

His tears cannot erase his guilt, but they prove by grace the existence of the sincerity of his heart. They testify of that powerlessness for which even sincerity of heart is no remedy. Only close attachment to Christ, faith in His word and distrust in ourselves save us from falling.

I may find myself in situations where I deny the Lord and treat Him as nothing more than a ‘man’. When I put forward my own views on a matter because I am afraid to say what the Lord thinks about it in His Word, I deny Him. Then to me He is no more than a man, that is, no more than I am. In reality I am lowering Him and not giving Him the rights He has over my life. Christ wants to remind me of this in His grace, and I must confess that. Then restoration can follow.

Matthew 27:24

Peter Denies the Lord

Peter, who followed the Lord at a distance, has arrived in the courtyard of the high priest. There he has taken a seat among the enemies of the Lord who are warming themselves by a fire. He thinks he can stay there unnoticed to see what is happening to his Lord. Then a servant-girl comes to him who recognizes him as someone who was with “Jesus the Galilean”. What must have gone through Peter’s mind when the servant-girl said this to him. He wanted to be unknown, he hoped no one would recognize him in the dark. Because of this observation he has to show his true colors. The girl did not ask a question, she established a fact.

Then the great apostle, the first of the twelve, seeks an excuse. He pretends not to know what the servant-girl is talking about. This is tantamount to denial. It is a denial that he belongs to the Lord Jesus. All who are there hear him express his denial.

Because it has become dangerous for him there, he moves away from that place. He wants to leave the court and goes to the front gate. But there too is a servant-girl who recognizes him. She says that he belongs to “Jesus of Nazareth”. In the first case Peter is addressed personally. In this case, the woman’s comment is addressed to all those who are there. Peter again denies that he knows Him. This time his denial is stronger. He swears that he does not know Him. He also calls Him “man”, as if the Lord were no more than that.

Peter is not yet at the low point of his denial. The fall has yet to be made complete, as the Lord foretold. It is not a moment of weakness. It is a situation in which Peter has voluntarily entered. The Lord uses that situation to teach Peter what is in himself and that he is no better than the other disciples.

For the third time there will be a recognition of his relationship with the Lord Jesus, this time from a whole group. They come to him and confirm what the woman has noticed. They recognize Peter not only by his appearance, but also by his accent. Peter betrays himself through his accent which he cannot deny.

Then the fall of Peter becomes complete. In even more powerful terms, in which he even curses, he repeats his earlier statement and declares under oath that he does not know the “man”.

As soon as Peter has pronounced his third denial, the rooster crows, as the Lord foretold. That reminds Peter of the word of the Lord. This word is now doing its work in his conscience. Crushed by guilt, he goes out and weeps bitterly. His conscience is deeply touched and convinced of sin.

This is the result of the work of the Lord Jesus as the Advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1). “Jesus Christ, the righteous”, prayed for him that his faith would not fail (Luke 22:32). Therefore he goes out to weep bitterly and not to hang himself, like Judas (Matthew 27:5).

His tears cannot erase his guilt, but they prove by grace the existence of the sincerity of his heart. They testify of that powerlessness for which even sincerity of heart is no remedy. Only close attachment to Christ, faith in His word and distrust in ourselves save us from falling.

I may find myself in situations where I deny the Lord and treat Him as nothing more than a ‘man’. When I put forward my own views on a matter because I am afraid to say what the Lord thinks about it in His Word, I deny Him. Then to me He is no more than a man, that is, no more than I am. In reality I am lowering Him and not giving Him the rights He has over my life. Christ wants to remind me of this in His grace, and I must confess that. Then restoration can follow.

Matthew 27:25

Peter Denies the Lord

Peter, who followed the Lord at a distance, has arrived in the courtyard of the high priest. There he has taken a seat among the enemies of the Lord who are warming themselves by a fire. He thinks he can stay there unnoticed to see what is happening to his Lord. Then a servant-girl comes to him who recognizes him as someone who was with “Jesus the Galilean”. What must have gone through Peter’s mind when the servant-girl said this to him. He wanted to be unknown, he hoped no one would recognize him in the dark. Because of this observation he has to show his true colors. The girl did not ask a question, she established a fact.

Then the great apostle, the first of the twelve, seeks an excuse. He pretends not to know what the servant-girl is talking about. This is tantamount to denial. It is a denial that he belongs to the Lord Jesus. All who are there hear him express his denial.

Because it has become dangerous for him there, he moves away from that place. He wants to leave the court and goes to the front gate. But there too is a servant-girl who recognizes him. She says that he belongs to “Jesus of Nazareth”. In the first case Peter is addressed personally. In this case, the woman’s comment is addressed to all those who are there. Peter again denies that he knows Him. This time his denial is stronger. He swears that he does not know Him. He also calls Him “man”, as if the Lord were no more than that.

Peter is not yet at the low point of his denial. The fall has yet to be made complete, as the Lord foretold. It is not a moment of weakness. It is a situation in which Peter has voluntarily entered. The Lord uses that situation to teach Peter what is in himself and that he is no better than the other disciples.

For the third time there will be a recognition of his relationship with the Lord Jesus, this time from a whole group. They come to him and confirm what the woman has noticed. They recognize Peter not only by his appearance, but also by his accent. Peter betrays himself through his accent which he cannot deny.

Then the fall of Peter becomes complete. In even more powerful terms, in which he even curses, he repeats his earlier statement and declares under oath that he does not know the “man”.

As soon as Peter has pronounced his third denial, the rooster crows, as the Lord foretold. That reminds Peter of the word of the Lord. This word is now doing its work in his conscience. Crushed by guilt, he goes out and weeps bitterly. His conscience is deeply touched and convinced of sin.

This is the result of the work of the Lord Jesus as the Advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1). “Jesus Christ, the righteous”, prayed for him that his faith would not fail (Luke 22:32). Therefore he goes out to weep bitterly and not to hang himself, like Judas (Matthew 27:5).

His tears cannot erase his guilt, but they prove by grace the existence of the sincerity of his heart. They testify of that powerlessness for which even sincerity of heart is no remedy. Only close attachment to Christ, faith in His word and distrust in ourselves save us from falling.

I may find myself in situations where I deny the Lord and treat Him as nothing more than a ‘man’. When I put forward my own views on a matter because I am afraid to say what the Lord thinks about it in His Word, I deny Him. Then to me He is no more than a man, that is, no more than I am. In reality I am lowering Him and not giving Him the rights He has over my life. Christ wants to remind me of this in His grace, and I must confess that. Then restoration can follow.

Matthew 27:26

Peter Denies the Lord

Peter, who followed the Lord at a distance, has arrived in the courtyard of the high priest. There he has taken a seat among the enemies of the Lord who are warming themselves by a fire. He thinks he can stay there unnoticed to see what is happening to his Lord. Then a servant-girl comes to him who recognizes him as someone who was with “Jesus the Galilean”. What must have gone through Peter’s mind when the servant-girl said this to him. He wanted to be unknown, he hoped no one would recognize him in the dark. Because of this observation he has to show his true colors. The girl did not ask a question, she established a fact.

Then the great apostle, the first of the twelve, seeks an excuse. He pretends not to know what the servant-girl is talking about. This is tantamount to denial. It is a denial that he belongs to the Lord Jesus. All who are there hear him express his denial.

Because it has become dangerous for him there, he moves away from that place. He wants to leave the court and goes to the front gate. But there too is a servant-girl who recognizes him. She says that he belongs to “Jesus of Nazareth”. In the first case Peter is addressed personally. In this case, the woman’s comment is addressed to all those who are there. Peter again denies that he knows Him. This time his denial is stronger. He swears that he does not know Him. He also calls Him “man”, as if the Lord were no more than that.

Peter is not yet at the low point of his denial. The fall has yet to be made complete, as the Lord foretold. It is not a moment of weakness. It is a situation in which Peter has voluntarily entered. The Lord uses that situation to teach Peter what is in himself and that he is no better than the other disciples.

For the third time there will be a recognition of his relationship with the Lord Jesus, this time from a whole group. They come to him and confirm what the woman has noticed. They recognize Peter not only by his appearance, but also by his accent. Peter betrays himself through his accent which he cannot deny.

Then the fall of Peter becomes complete. In even more powerful terms, in which he even curses, he repeats his earlier statement and declares under oath that he does not know the “man”.

As soon as Peter has pronounced his third denial, the rooster crows, as the Lord foretold. That reminds Peter of the word of the Lord. This word is now doing its work in his conscience. Crushed by guilt, he goes out and weeps bitterly. His conscience is deeply touched and convinced of sin.

This is the result of the work of the Lord Jesus as the Advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1). “Jesus Christ, the righteous”, prayed for him that his faith would not fail (Luke 22:32). Therefore he goes out to weep bitterly and not to hang himself, like Judas (Matthew 27:5).

His tears cannot erase his guilt, but they prove by grace the existence of the sincerity of his heart. They testify of that powerlessness for which even sincerity of heart is no remedy. Only close attachment to Christ, faith in His word and distrust in ourselves save us from falling.

I may find myself in situations where I deny the Lord and treat Him as nothing more than a ‘man’. When I put forward my own views on a matter because I am afraid to say what the Lord thinks about it in His Word, I deny Him. Then to me He is no more than a man, that is, no more than I am. In reality I am lowering Him and not giving Him the rights He has over my life. Christ wants to remind me of this in His grace, and I must confess that. Then restoration can follow.

Matthew 27:27

Peter Denies the Lord

Peter, who followed the Lord at a distance, has arrived in the courtyard of the high priest. There he has taken a seat among the enemies of the Lord who are warming themselves by a fire. He thinks he can stay there unnoticed to see what is happening to his Lord. Then a servant-girl comes to him who recognizes him as someone who was with “Jesus the Galilean”. What must have gone through Peter’s mind when the servant-girl said this to him. He wanted to be unknown, he hoped no one would recognize him in the dark. Because of this observation he has to show his true colors. The girl did not ask a question, she established a fact.

Then the great apostle, the first of the twelve, seeks an excuse. He pretends not to know what the servant-girl is talking about. This is tantamount to denial. It is a denial that he belongs to the Lord Jesus. All who are there hear him express his denial.

Because it has become dangerous for him there, he moves away from that place. He wants to leave the court and goes to the front gate. But there too is a servant-girl who recognizes him. She says that he belongs to “Jesus of Nazareth”. In the first case Peter is addressed personally. In this case, the woman’s comment is addressed to all those who are there. Peter again denies that he knows Him. This time his denial is stronger. He swears that he does not know Him. He also calls Him “man”, as if the Lord were no more than that.

Peter is not yet at the low point of his denial. The fall has yet to be made complete, as the Lord foretold. It is not a moment of weakness. It is a situation in which Peter has voluntarily entered. The Lord uses that situation to teach Peter what is in himself and that he is no better than the other disciples.

For the third time there will be a recognition of his relationship with the Lord Jesus, this time from a whole group. They come to him and confirm what the woman has noticed. They recognize Peter not only by his appearance, but also by his accent. Peter betrays himself through his accent which he cannot deny.

Then the fall of Peter becomes complete. In even more powerful terms, in which he even curses, he repeats his earlier statement and declares under oath that he does not know the “man”.

As soon as Peter has pronounced his third denial, the rooster crows, as the Lord foretold. That reminds Peter of the word of the Lord. This word is now doing its work in his conscience. Crushed by guilt, he goes out and weeps bitterly. His conscience is deeply touched and convinced of sin.

This is the result of the work of the Lord Jesus as the Advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1). “Jesus Christ, the righteous”, prayed for him that his faith would not fail (Luke 22:32). Therefore he goes out to weep bitterly and not to hang himself, like Judas (Matthew 27:5).

His tears cannot erase his guilt, but they prove by grace the existence of the sincerity of his heart. They testify of that powerlessness for which even sincerity of heart is no remedy. Only close attachment to Christ, faith in His word and distrust in ourselves save us from falling.

I may find myself in situations where I deny the Lord and treat Him as nothing more than a ‘man’. When I put forward my own views on a matter because I am afraid to say what the Lord thinks about it in His Word, I deny Him. Then to me He is no more than a man, that is, no more than I am. In reality I am lowering Him and not giving Him the rights He has over my life. Christ wants to remind me of this in His grace, and I must confess that. Then restoration can follow.

Matthew 27:28

Peter Denies the Lord

Peter, who followed the Lord at a distance, has arrived in the courtyard of the high priest. There he has taken a seat among the enemies of the Lord who are warming themselves by a fire. He thinks he can stay there unnoticed to see what is happening to his Lord. Then a servant-girl comes to him who recognizes him as someone who was with “Jesus the Galilean”. What must have gone through Peter’s mind when the servant-girl said this to him. He wanted to be unknown, he hoped no one would recognize him in the dark. Because of this observation he has to show his true colors. The girl did not ask a question, she established a fact.

Then the great apostle, the first of the twelve, seeks an excuse. He pretends not to know what the servant-girl is talking about. This is tantamount to denial. It is a denial that he belongs to the Lord Jesus. All who are there hear him express his denial.

Because it has become dangerous for him there, he moves away from that place. He wants to leave the court and goes to the front gate. But there too is a servant-girl who recognizes him. She says that he belongs to “Jesus of Nazareth”. In the first case Peter is addressed personally. In this case, the woman’s comment is addressed to all those who are there. Peter again denies that he knows Him. This time his denial is stronger. He swears that he does not know Him. He also calls Him “man”, as if the Lord were no more than that.

Peter is not yet at the low point of his denial. The fall has yet to be made complete, as the Lord foretold. It is not a moment of weakness. It is a situation in which Peter has voluntarily entered. The Lord uses that situation to teach Peter what is in himself and that he is no better than the other disciples.

For the third time there will be a recognition of his relationship with the Lord Jesus, this time from a whole group. They come to him and confirm what the woman has noticed. They recognize Peter not only by his appearance, but also by his accent. Peter betrays himself through his accent which he cannot deny.

Then the fall of Peter becomes complete. In even more powerful terms, in which he even curses, he repeats his earlier statement and declares under oath that he does not know the “man”.

As soon as Peter has pronounced his third denial, the rooster crows, as the Lord foretold. That reminds Peter of the word of the Lord. This word is now doing its work in his conscience. Crushed by guilt, he goes out and weeps bitterly. His conscience is deeply touched and convinced of sin.

This is the result of the work of the Lord Jesus as the Advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1). “Jesus Christ, the righteous”, prayed for him that his faith would not fail (Luke 22:32). Therefore he goes out to weep bitterly and not to hang himself, like Judas (Matthew 27:5).

His tears cannot erase his guilt, but they prove by grace the existence of the sincerity of his heart. They testify of that powerlessness for which even sincerity of heart is no remedy. Only close attachment to Christ, faith in His word and distrust in ourselves save us from falling.

I may find myself in situations where I deny the Lord and treat Him as nothing more than a ‘man’. When I put forward my own views on a matter because I am afraid to say what the Lord thinks about it in His Word, I deny Him. Then to me He is no more than a man, that is, no more than I am. In reality I am lowering Him and not giving Him the rights He has over my life. Christ wants to remind me of this in His grace, and I must confess that. Then restoration can follow.

Matthew 27:29

Peter Denies the Lord

Peter, who followed the Lord at a distance, has arrived in the courtyard of the high priest. There he has taken a seat among the enemies of the Lord who are warming themselves by a fire. He thinks he can stay there unnoticed to see what is happening to his Lord. Then a servant-girl comes to him who recognizes him as someone who was with “Jesus the Galilean”. What must have gone through Peter’s mind when the servant-girl said this to him. He wanted to be unknown, he hoped no one would recognize him in the dark. Because of this observation he has to show his true colors. The girl did not ask a question, she established a fact.

Then the great apostle, the first of the twelve, seeks an excuse. He pretends not to know what the servant-girl is talking about. This is tantamount to denial. It is a denial that he belongs to the Lord Jesus. All who are there hear him express his denial.

Because it has become dangerous for him there, he moves away from that place. He wants to leave the court and goes to the front gate. But there too is a servant-girl who recognizes him. She says that he belongs to “Jesus of Nazareth”. In the first case Peter is addressed personally. In this case, the woman’s comment is addressed to all those who are there. Peter again denies that he knows Him. This time his denial is stronger. He swears that he does not know Him. He also calls Him “man”, as if the Lord were no more than that.

Peter is not yet at the low point of his denial. The fall has yet to be made complete, as the Lord foretold. It is not a moment of weakness. It is a situation in which Peter has voluntarily entered. The Lord uses that situation to teach Peter what is in himself and that he is no better than the other disciples.

For the third time there will be a recognition of his relationship with the Lord Jesus, this time from a whole group. They come to him and confirm what the woman has noticed. They recognize Peter not only by his appearance, but also by his accent. Peter betrays himself through his accent which he cannot deny.

Then the fall of Peter becomes complete. In even more powerful terms, in which he even curses, he repeats his earlier statement and declares under oath that he does not know the “man”.

As soon as Peter has pronounced his third denial, the rooster crows, as the Lord foretold. That reminds Peter of the word of the Lord. This word is now doing its work in his conscience. Crushed by guilt, he goes out and weeps bitterly. His conscience is deeply touched and convinced of sin.

This is the result of the work of the Lord Jesus as the Advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1). “Jesus Christ, the righteous”, prayed for him that his faith would not fail (Luke 22:32). Therefore he goes out to weep bitterly and not to hang himself, like Judas (Matthew 27:5).

His tears cannot erase his guilt, but they prove by grace the existence of the sincerity of his heart. They testify of that powerlessness for which even sincerity of heart is no remedy. Only close attachment to Christ, faith in His word and distrust in ourselves save us from falling.

I may find myself in situations where I deny the Lord and treat Him as nothing more than a ‘man’. When I put forward my own views on a matter because I am afraid to say what the Lord thinks about it in His Word, I deny Him. Then to me He is no more than a man, that is, no more than I am. In reality I am lowering Him and not giving Him the rights He has over my life. Christ wants to remind me of this in His grace, and I must confess that. Then restoration can follow.

Matthew 27:31

Delivered to Pilate

The Lord was questioned and mocked all night long by the religious leaders of the people, the people to whom He came to set free from their sins. But they do not want Him. He was also betrayed by one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, abandoned by all His other disciples and also denied by Peter.

How lonely He is in all that happens to Him. And what a defamatory and humiliating treatment He has yet to face. In all this He knows that One has not forsaken Him. Yet He knows that when He hangs on the cross, He will finally be forsaken there by His God. He has accepted the cup and will drink it until the last drop.

The chief priests and elders deliberately find Jesus guilty and decide to kill Him. Their deliberations are the result of their own importance. The ego of the religious man comes to the conclusion that Christ, the Son of God, must be murdered. Because they are not allowed to carry out a death sentence themselves, they hand Him over to Pilate. They would have wanted to kill Him themselves, but they are afraid of the people. They seek the support of the government to make it seem a legal conviction. To bring him to Pilate they bind the almighty God Who has always been a blessing in their midst and lead Him away from the house of the high priest. He does not resist.

Matthew 27:32

Delivered to Pilate

The Lord was questioned and mocked all night long by the religious leaders of the people, the people to whom He came to set free from their sins. But they do not want Him. He was also betrayed by one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, abandoned by all His other disciples and also denied by Peter.

How lonely He is in all that happens to Him. And what a defamatory and humiliating treatment He has yet to face. In all this He knows that One has not forsaken Him. Yet He knows that when He hangs on the cross, He will finally be forsaken there by His God. He has accepted the cup and will drink it until the last drop.

The chief priests and elders deliberately find Jesus guilty and decide to kill Him. Their deliberations are the result of their own importance. The ego of the religious man comes to the conclusion that Christ, the Son of God, must be murdered. Because they are not allowed to carry out a death sentence themselves, they hand Him over to Pilate. They would have wanted to kill Him themselves, but they are afraid of the people. They seek the support of the government to make it seem a legal conviction. To bring him to Pilate they bind the almighty God Who has always been a blessing in their midst and lead Him away from the house of the high priest. He does not resist.

Matthew 27:33

The Death of Judas

Judas followed the ‘trial’. When he sees that the Lord is condemned, he wants to withdraw from the plot. During the interrogation and mistreatment he did nothing. It seems he has been waiting for the moment when the Lord would miraculously rid himself of His assailants. But Judas is blind to Who Christ is and to the work He will do. The money has him in its grip. Therefore, all his considerations are in vain. Nor is his repentance a repentance for his crime, but for the outcome that he did not estimate.

Judas knows that the Lord is innocent. His conscience, deceived by satan, needs to bear witness to the innocence of the Lord. The hardening of the chief priests and elders is, if possible, even worse than that of Judas. Judas acknowledges that he has betrayed innocent blood. The leaders are unscrupulous, people without any feeling. They want to get rid of Christ whatever it costs them in money or people.

After the complete insensitivity of the leaders Judas sinks into complete despair. What he seemed to have won with his betrayal, he throws back for nothing into the temple sanctuary. Tempted and completely overwhelmed by the devil, he then loses himself as well. He goes away and hangs himself. It is no redemption from his tormenting conscience. His deed will torment him forever in the pains of hell (John 17:12; Matthew 18:8-9).

The chief priests have the silver back in their hands. It reveals their supreme hypocrisy. The money that they themselves have paid out for the betrayal is now labelled as blood money. It betrays their blindness. They themselves are the cause of this blood money. In so doing, they condemn themselves. They confer what to do with this money. Every deliberation is based on the idea that they want to get rid of the Son of God, while pretending to themselves that they want to keep clean hands.

As always, God is above this event and uses the outcome of their deliberations as a testimony against them. By buying the field they have created a permanent memorial of their own sin and the blood they have shed. Through the murder of God’s Son, the world has become a Field of Blood.

The plan to use the pieces of silver for the purchase of the Potter’s Field was also foretold by God in His Word. The citation comes from Zechariah 11 (Zechariah 11:12-13). [That it says “which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet” may have been the result of a later insertion, for it is possible that originally there was nothing but “the prophet”.]

Matthew 27:34

The Death of Judas

Judas followed the ‘trial’. When he sees that the Lord is condemned, he wants to withdraw from the plot. During the interrogation and mistreatment he did nothing. It seems he has been waiting for the moment when the Lord would miraculously rid himself of His assailants. But Judas is blind to Who Christ is and to the work He will do. The money has him in its grip. Therefore, all his considerations are in vain. Nor is his repentance a repentance for his crime, but for the outcome that he did not estimate.

Judas knows that the Lord is innocent. His conscience, deceived by satan, needs to bear witness to the innocence of the Lord. The hardening of the chief priests and elders is, if possible, even worse than that of Judas. Judas acknowledges that he has betrayed innocent blood. The leaders are unscrupulous, people without any feeling. They want to get rid of Christ whatever it costs them in money or people.

After the complete insensitivity of the leaders Judas sinks into complete despair. What he seemed to have won with his betrayal, he throws back for nothing into the temple sanctuary. Tempted and completely overwhelmed by the devil, he then loses himself as well. He goes away and hangs himself. It is no redemption from his tormenting conscience. His deed will torment him forever in the pains of hell (John 17:12; Matthew 18:8-9).

The chief priests have the silver back in their hands. It reveals their supreme hypocrisy. The money that they themselves have paid out for the betrayal is now labelled as blood money. It betrays their blindness. They themselves are the cause of this blood money. In so doing, they condemn themselves. They confer what to do with this money. Every deliberation is based on the idea that they want to get rid of the Son of God, while pretending to themselves that they want to keep clean hands.

As always, God is above this event and uses the outcome of their deliberations as a testimony against them. By buying the field they have created a permanent memorial of their own sin and the blood they have shed. Through the murder of God’s Son, the world has become a Field of Blood.

The plan to use the pieces of silver for the purchase of the Potter’s Field was also foretold by God in His Word. The citation comes from Zechariah 11 (Zechariah 11:12-13). [That it says “which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet” may have been the result of a later insertion, for it is possible that originally there was nothing but “the prophet”.]

Matthew 27:35

The Death of Judas

Judas followed the ‘trial’. When he sees that the Lord is condemned, he wants to withdraw from the plot. During the interrogation and mistreatment he did nothing. It seems he has been waiting for the moment when the Lord would miraculously rid himself of His assailants. But Judas is blind to Who Christ is and to the work He will do. The money has him in its grip. Therefore, all his considerations are in vain. Nor is his repentance a repentance for his crime, but for the outcome that he did not estimate.

Judas knows that the Lord is innocent. His conscience, deceived by satan, needs to bear witness to the innocence of the Lord. The hardening of the chief priests and elders is, if possible, even worse than that of Judas. Judas acknowledges that he has betrayed innocent blood. The leaders are unscrupulous, people without any feeling. They want to get rid of Christ whatever it costs them in money or people.

After the complete insensitivity of the leaders Judas sinks into complete despair. What he seemed to have won with his betrayal, he throws back for nothing into the temple sanctuary. Tempted and completely overwhelmed by the devil, he then loses himself as well. He goes away and hangs himself. It is no redemption from his tormenting conscience. His deed will torment him forever in the pains of hell (John 17:12; Matthew 18:8-9).

The chief priests have the silver back in their hands. It reveals their supreme hypocrisy. The money that they themselves have paid out for the betrayal is now labelled as blood money. It betrays their blindness. They themselves are the cause of this blood money. In so doing, they condemn themselves. They confer what to do with this money. Every deliberation is based on the idea that they want to get rid of the Son of God, while pretending to themselves that they want to keep clean hands.

As always, God is above this event and uses the outcome of their deliberations as a testimony against them. By buying the field they have created a permanent memorial of their own sin and the blood they have shed. Through the murder of God’s Son, the world has become a Field of Blood.

The plan to use the pieces of silver for the purchase of the Potter’s Field was also foretold by God in His Word. The citation comes from Zechariah 11 (Zechariah 11:12-13). [That it says “which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet” may have been the result of a later insertion, for it is possible that originally there was nothing but “the prophet”.]

Matthew 27:36

The Death of Judas

Judas followed the ‘trial’. When he sees that the Lord is condemned, he wants to withdraw from the plot. During the interrogation and mistreatment he did nothing. It seems he has been waiting for the moment when the Lord would miraculously rid himself of His assailants. But Judas is blind to Who Christ is and to the work He will do. The money has him in its grip. Therefore, all his considerations are in vain. Nor is his repentance a repentance for his crime, but for the outcome that he did not estimate.

Judas knows that the Lord is innocent. His conscience, deceived by satan, needs to bear witness to the innocence of the Lord. The hardening of the chief priests and elders is, if possible, even worse than that of Judas. Judas acknowledges that he has betrayed innocent blood. The leaders are unscrupulous, people without any feeling. They want to get rid of Christ whatever it costs them in money or people.

After the complete insensitivity of the leaders Judas sinks into complete despair. What he seemed to have won with his betrayal, he throws back for nothing into the temple sanctuary. Tempted and completely overwhelmed by the devil, he then loses himself as well. He goes away and hangs himself. It is no redemption from his tormenting conscience. His deed will torment him forever in the pains of hell (John 17:12; Matthew 18:8-9).

The chief priests have the silver back in their hands. It reveals their supreme hypocrisy. The money that they themselves have paid out for the betrayal is now labelled as blood money. It betrays their blindness. They themselves are the cause of this blood money. In so doing, they condemn themselves. They confer what to do with this money. Every deliberation is based on the idea that they want to get rid of the Son of God, while pretending to themselves that they want to keep clean hands.

As always, God is above this event and uses the outcome of their deliberations as a testimony against them. By buying the field they have created a permanent memorial of their own sin and the blood they have shed. Through the murder of God’s Son, the world has become a Field of Blood.

The plan to use the pieces of silver for the purchase of the Potter’s Field was also foretold by God in His Word. The citation comes from Zechariah 11 (Zechariah 11:12-13). [That it says “which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet” may have been the result of a later insertion, for it is possible that originally there was nothing but “the prophet”.]

Matthew 27:37

The Death of Judas

Judas followed the ‘trial’. When he sees that the Lord is condemned, he wants to withdraw from the plot. During the interrogation and mistreatment he did nothing. It seems he has been waiting for the moment when the Lord would miraculously rid himself of His assailants. But Judas is blind to Who Christ is and to the work He will do. The money has him in its grip. Therefore, all his considerations are in vain. Nor is his repentance a repentance for his crime, but for the outcome that he did not estimate.

Judas knows that the Lord is innocent. His conscience, deceived by satan, needs to bear witness to the innocence of the Lord. The hardening of the chief priests and elders is, if possible, even worse than that of Judas. Judas acknowledges that he has betrayed innocent blood. The leaders are unscrupulous, people without any feeling. They want to get rid of Christ whatever it costs them in money or people.

After the complete insensitivity of the leaders Judas sinks into complete despair. What he seemed to have won with his betrayal, he throws back for nothing into the temple sanctuary. Tempted and completely overwhelmed by the devil, he then loses himself as well. He goes away and hangs himself. It is no redemption from his tormenting conscience. His deed will torment him forever in the pains of hell (John 17:12; Matthew 18:8-9).

The chief priests have the silver back in their hands. It reveals their supreme hypocrisy. The money that they themselves have paid out for the betrayal is now labelled as blood money. It betrays their blindness. They themselves are the cause of this blood money. In so doing, they condemn themselves. They confer what to do with this money. Every deliberation is based on the idea that they want to get rid of the Son of God, while pretending to themselves that they want to keep clean hands.

As always, God is above this event and uses the outcome of their deliberations as a testimony against them. By buying the field they have created a permanent memorial of their own sin and the blood they have shed. Through the murder of God’s Son, the world has become a Field of Blood.

The plan to use the pieces of silver for the purchase of the Potter’s Field was also foretold by God in His Word. The citation comes from Zechariah 11 (Zechariah 11:12-13). [That it says “which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet” may have been the result of a later insertion, for it is possible that originally there was nothing but “the prophet”.]

Matthew 27:38

The Death of Judas

Judas followed the ‘trial’. When he sees that the Lord is condemned, he wants to withdraw from the plot. During the interrogation and mistreatment he did nothing. It seems he has been waiting for the moment when the Lord would miraculously rid himself of His assailants. But Judas is blind to Who Christ is and to the work He will do. The money has him in its grip. Therefore, all his considerations are in vain. Nor is his repentance a repentance for his crime, but for the outcome that he did not estimate.

Judas knows that the Lord is innocent. His conscience, deceived by satan, needs to bear witness to the innocence of the Lord. The hardening of the chief priests and elders is, if possible, even worse than that of Judas. Judas acknowledges that he has betrayed innocent blood. The leaders are unscrupulous, people without any feeling. They want to get rid of Christ whatever it costs them in money or people.

After the complete insensitivity of the leaders Judas sinks into complete despair. What he seemed to have won with his betrayal, he throws back for nothing into the temple sanctuary. Tempted and completely overwhelmed by the devil, he then loses himself as well. He goes away and hangs himself. It is no redemption from his tormenting conscience. His deed will torment him forever in the pains of hell (John 17:12; Matthew 18:8-9).

The chief priests have the silver back in their hands. It reveals their supreme hypocrisy. The money that they themselves have paid out for the betrayal is now labelled as blood money. It betrays their blindness. They themselves are the cause of this blood money. In so doing, they condemn themselves. They confer what to do with this money. Every deliberation is based on the idea that they want to get rid of the Son of God, while pretending to themselves that they want to keep clean hands.

As always, God is above this event and uses the outcome of their deliberations as a testimony against them. By buying the field they have created a permanent memorial of their own sin and the blood they have shed. Through the murder of God’s Son, the world has become a Field of Blood.

The plan to use the pieces of silver for the purchase of the Potter’s Field was also foretold by God in His Word. The citation comes from Zechariah 11 (Zechariah 11:12-13). [That it says “which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet” may have been the result of a later insertion, for it is possible that originally there was nothing but “the prophet”.]

Matthew 27:39

The Death of Judas

Judas followed the ‘trial’. When he sees that the Lord is condemned, he wants to withdraw from the plot. During the interrogation and mistreatment he did nothing. It seems he has been waiting for the moment when the Lord would miraculously rid himself of His assailants. But Judas is blind to Who Christ is and to the work He will do. The money has him in its grip. Therefore, all his considerations are in vain. Nor is his repentance a repentance for his crime, but for the outcome that he did not estimate.

Judas knows that the Lord is innocent. His conscience, deceived by satan, needs to bear witness to the innocence of the Lord. The hardening of the chief priests and elders is, if possible, even worse than that of Judas. Judas acknowledges that he has betrayed innocent blood. The leaders are unscrupulous, people without any feeling. They want to get rid of Christ whatever it costs them in money or people.

After the complete insensitivity of the leaders Judas sinks into complete despair. What he seemed to have won with his betrayal, he throws back for nothing into the temple sanctuary. Tempted and completely overwhelmed by the devil, he then loses himself as well. He goes away and hangs himself. It is no redemption from his tormenting conscience. His deed will torment him forever in the pains of hell (John 17:12; Matthew 18:8-9).

The chief priests have the silver back in their hands. It reveals their supreme hypocrisy. The money that they themselves have paid out for the betrayal is now labelled as blood money. It betrays their blindness. They themselves are the cause of this blood money. In so doing, they condemn themselves. They confer what to do with this money. Every deliberation is based on the idea that they want to get rid of the Son of God, while pretending to themselves that they want to keep clean hands.

As always, God is above this event and uses the outcome of their deliberations as a testimony against them. By buying the field they have created a permanent memorial of their own sin and the blood they have shed. Through the murder of God’s Son, the world has become a Field of Blood.

The plan to use the pieces of silver for the purchase of the Potter’s Field was also foretold by God in His Word. The citation comes from Zechariah 11 (Zechariah 11:12-13). [That it says “which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet” may have been the result of a later insertion, for it is possible that originally there was nothing but “the prophet”.]

Matthew 27:40

The Death of Judas

Judas followed the ‘trial’. When he sees that the Lord is condemned, he wants to withdraw from the plot. During the interrogation and mistreatment he did nothing. It seems he has been waiting for the moment when the Lord would miraculously rid himself of His assailants. But Judas is blind to Who Christ is and to the work He will do. The money has him in its grip. Therefore, all his considerations are in vain. Nor is his repentance a repentance for his crime, but for the outcome that he did not estimate.

Judas knows that the Lord is innocent. His conscience, deceived by satan, needs to bear witness to the innocence of the Lord. The hardening of the chief priests and elders is, if possible, even worse than that of Judas. Judas acknowledges that he has betrayed innocent blood. The leaders are unscrupulous, people without any feeling. They want to get rid of Christ whatever it costs them in money or people.

After the complete insensitivity of the leaders Judas sinks into complete despair. What he seemed to have won with his betrayal, he throws back for nothing into the temple sanctuary. Tempted and completely overwhelmed by the devil, he then loses himself as well. He goes away and hangs himself. It is no redemption from his tormenting conscience. His deed will torment him forever in the pains of hell (John 17:12; Matthew 18:8-9).

The chief priests have the silver back in their hands. It reveals their supreme hypocrisy. The money that they themselves have paid out for the betrayal is now labelled as blood money. It betrays their blindness. They themselves are the cause of this blood money. In so doing, they condemn themselves. They confer what to do with this money. Every deliberation is based on the idea that they want to get rid of the Son of God, while pretending to themselves that they want to keep clean hands.

As always, God is above this event and uses the outcome of their deliberations as a testimony against them. By buying the field they have created a permanent memorial of their own sin and the blood they have shed. Through the murder of God’s Son, the world has become a Field of Blood.

The plan to use the pieces of silver for the purchase of the Potter’s Field was also foretold by God in His Word. The citation comes from Zechariah 11 (Zechariah 11:12-13). [That it says “which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet” may have been the result of a later insertion, for it is possible that originally there was nothing but “the prophet”.]

Matthew 27:41

Questioning by Pilate

The Lord Jesus stands there before the governor. An impressive scene. There the Creator of heaven and earth, the ruler of the universe, stands before a corrupt vassal of Rome, the representative of Roman authority to which Israel is subjected by its unfaithfulness. The governor questions Him. What a position of humiliation Christ takes. He Who is the Judge of all the earth, let Himself be questioned by a corrupt public servant. Pilate asks Him if He is “the King of the Jews”. That is the important question for him and not whether he is the Son of God. Because it is again a question about His Person, the Lord also answers this question (cf. Matthew 26:63-64).

While the Lord stands before Pilate, the chief priests and elders do their best to convince Pilate of His guilt. They are tireless in their efforts to get Him sentenced not to imprisonment, but to death. The Lord does not respond to all their accusations. Pilate finds it strange that He doesn’t react to everything that is testified against Him. He is not deaf, is He? Pilate does not get an answer either. He remains as if deaf. Pilate has never had such a prisoner before. He is very amazed about His attitude.

Matthew 27:42

Questioning by Pilate

The Lord Jesus stands there before the governor. An impressive scene. There the Creator of heaven and earth, the ruler of the universe, stands before a corrupt vassal of Rome, the representative of Roman authority to which Israel is subjected by its unfaithfulness. The governor questions Him. What a position of humiliation Christ takes. He Who is the Judge of all the earth, let Himself be questioned by a corrupt public servant. Pilate asks Him if He is “the King of the Jews”. That is the important question for him and not whether he is the Son of God. Because it is again a question about His Person, the Lord also answers this question (cf. Matthew 26:63-64).

While the Lord stands before Pilate, the chief priests and elders do their best to convince Pilate of His guilt. They are tireless in their efforts to get Him sentenced not to imprisonment, but to death. The Lord does not respond to all their accusations. Pilate finds it strange that He doesn’t react to everything that is testified against Him. He is not deaf, is He? Pilate does not get an answer either. He remains as if deaf. Pilate has never had such a prisoner before. He is very amazed about His attitude.

Matthew 27:43

Questioning by Pilate

The Lord Jesus stands there before the governor. An impressive scene. There the Creator of heaven and earth, the ruler of the universe, stands before a corrupt vassal of Rome, the representative of Roman authority to which Israel is subjected by its unfaithfulness. The governor questions Him. What a position of humiliation Christ takes. He Who is the Judge of all the earth, let Himself be questioned by a corrupt public servant. Pilate asks Him if He is “the King of the Jews”. That is the important question for him and not whether he is the Son of God. Because it is again a question about His Person, the Lord also answers this question (cf. Matthew 26:63-64).

While the Lord stands before Pilate, the chief priests and elders do their best to convince Pilate of His guilt. They are tireless in their efforts to get Him sentenced not to imprisonment, but to death. The Lord does not respond to all their accusations. Pilate finds it strange that He doesn’t react to everything that is testified against Him. He is not deaf, is He? Pilate does not get an answer either. He remains as if deaf. Pilate has never had such a prisoner before. He is very amazed about His attitude.

Matthew 27:44

Questioning by Pilate

The Lord Jesus stands there before the governor. An impressive scene. There the Creator of heaven and earth, the ruler of the universe, stands before a corrupt vassal of Rome, the representative of Roman authority to which Israel is subjected by its unfaithfulness. The governor questions Him. What a position of humiliation Christ takes. He Who is the Judge of all the earth, let Himself be questioned by a corrupt public servant. Pilate asks Him if He is “the King of the Jews”. That is the important question for him and not whether he is the Son of God. Because it is again a question about His Person, the Lord also answers this question (cf. Matthew 26:63-64).

While the Lord stands before Pilate, the chief priests and elders do their best to convince Pilate of His guilt. They are tireless in their efforts to get Him sentenced not to imprisonment, but to death. The Lord does not respond to all their accusations. Pilate finds it strange that He doesn’t react to everything that is testified against Him. He is not deaf, is He? Pilate does not get an answer either. He remains as if deaf. Pilate has never had such a prisoner before. He is very amazed about His attitude.

Matthew 27:45

Jesus or Barabbas

The governor is looking for a way to release the Lord. Now he thinks of his custom of releasing a prisoner of the people’s choice on the occasion of a feast. As the Passover is drawing near, as a good politician he can use his custom to see if he can release Him that way. These are the excuses of the natural human being not to choose for himself but to pass the responsibility on to others.

As the executor of justice, Pilate failed completely. But God will use Pilate’s custom to make the absolute will of the people to kill His Son even clearer. The unjust representative of the authority of the nations is powerless against evil because he is guilty of the same evil. He too thinks only of himself and his own interests.

Ironically, Pilate has a certain Barabbas in mind as an ‘alternative’ to the Lord. The irony lies in the meaning of his name. Barabbas means ‘son of the father’. His father is the devil. This ‘son of the father’ is placed next to the Son of the Father. Pilate thinks he is making a smart move with Barabbas. He knows that Barabbas is a big criminal in the eyes of the people. They would certainly want him to release Jesus. His thought stems from the right conclusion that the Lord was surrendered out of envy. But he has no eye for their deep hatred of Him, just as he is blind to the corruption of his own heart.

In order to dress his proposal up with authority, he sits on the judgment seat. What an exhibition! The puppet of the people and the servant of Rome represents the official authority and must do justice. He is convinced of the innocence of Christ, but he refuses to express it clearly.

He even receives a warning from his wife. She sends him the message that God has given her in a dream. She calls Him “that righteous Man”. She also says that in her dream she suffered a lot because of Him. This can only be done by the Spirit of God. She listens to the message of God and wants to keep her husband from the greatest iniquity ever. With this she shows herself to be a real help, as a wife is meant to be for her husband.

But Pilate is just as unattainable to his wife as his attempts to release the Lord are to no avail. He will bow to the boundless wickedness and murderousness of the chief priests and elders. They manipulate the crowds to choose Barabbas, while at the same time inciting them to demand the death of the Lord Jesus.

Pilate’s weak answer consists of the choice he announces to them once more. But there is no consideration among the people. The choice is fixed. It doesn’t matter who is released, as long as Jesus is killed.

Matthew 27:46

Jesus or Barabbas

The governor is looking for a way to release the Lord. Now he thinks of his custom of releasing a prisoner of the people’s choice on the occasion of a feast. As the Passover is drawing near, as a good politician he can use his custom to see if he can release Him that way. These are the excuses of the natural human being not to choose for himself but to pass the responsibility on to others.

As the executor of justice, Pilate failed completely. But God will use Pilate’s custom to make the absolute will of the people to kill His Son even clearer. The unjust representative of the authority of the nations is powerless against evil because he is guilty of the same evil. He too thinks only of himself and his own interests.

Ironically, Pilate has a certain Barabbas in mind as an ‘alternative’ to the Lord. The irony lies in the meaning of his name. Barabbas means ‘son of the father’. His father is the devil. This ‘son of the father’ is placed next to the Son of the Father. Pilate thinks he is making a smart move with Barabbas. He knows that Barabbas is a big criminal in the eyes of the people. They would certainly want him to release Jesus. His thought stems from the right conclusion that the Lord was surrendered out of envy. But he has no eye for their deep hatred of Him, just as he is blind to the corruption of his own heart.

In order to dress his proposal up with authority, he sits on the judgment seat. What an exhibition! The puppet of the people and the servant of Rome represents the official authority and must do justice. He is convinced of the innocence of Christ, but he refuses to express it clearly.

He even receives a warning from his wife. She sends him the message that God has given her in a dream. She calls Him “that righteous Man”. She also says that in her dream she suffered a lot because of Him. This can only be done by the Spirit of God. She listens to the message of God and wants to keep her husband from the greatest iniquity ever. With this she shows herself to be a real help, as a wife is meant to be for her husband.

But Pilate is just as unattainable to his wife as his attempts to release the Lord are to no avail. He will bow to the boundless wickedness and murderousness of the chief priests and elders. They manipulate the crowds to choose Barabbas, while at the same time inciting them to demand the death of the Lord Jesus.

Pilate’s weak answer consists of the choice he announces to them once more. But there is no consideration among the people. The choice is fixed. It doesn’t matter who is released, as long as Jesus is killed.

Matthew 27:47

Jesus or Barabbas

The governor is looking for a way to release the Lord. Now he thinks of his custom of releasing a prisoner of the people’s choice on the occasion of a feast. As the Passover is drawing near, as a good politician he can use his custom to see if he can release Him that way. These are the excuses of the natural human being not to choose for himself but to pass the responsibility on to others.

As the executor of justice, Pilate failed completely. But God will use Pilate’s custom to make the absolute will of the people to kill His Son even clearer. The unjust representative of the authority of the nations is powerless against evil because he is guilty of the same evil. He too thinks only of himself and his own interests.

Ironically, Pilate has a certain Barabbas in mind as an ‘alternative’ to the Lord. The irony lies in the meaning of his name. Barabbas means ‘son of the father’. His father is the devil. This ‘son of the father’ is placed next to the Son of the Father. Pilate thinks he is making a smart move with Barabbas. He knows that Barabbas is a big criminal in the eyes of the people. They would certainly want him to release Jesus. His thought stems from the right conclusion that the Lord was surrendered out of envy. But he has no eye for their deep hatred of Him, just as he is blind to the corruption of his own heart.

In order to dress his proposal up with authority, he sits on the judgment seat. What an exhibition! The puppet of the people and the servant of Rome represents the official authority and must do justice. He is convinced of the innocence of Christ, but he refuses to express it clearly.

He even receives a warning from his wife. She sends him the message that God has given her in a dream. She calls Him “that righteous Man”. She also says that in her dream she suffered a lot because of Him. This can only be done by the Spirit of God. She listens to the message of God and wants to keep her husband from the greatest iniquity ever. With this she shows herself to be a real help, as a wife is meant to be for her husband.

But Pilate is just as unattainable to his wife as his attempts to release the Lord are to no avail. He will bow to the boundless wickedness and murderousness of the chief priests and elders. They manipulate the crowds to choose Barabbas, while at the same time inciting them to demand the death of the Lord Jesus.

Pilate’s weak answer consists of the choice he announces to them once more. But there is no consideration among the people. The choice is fixed. It doesn’t matter who is released, as long as Jesus is killed.

Matthew 27:48

Jesus or Barabbas

The governor is looking for a way to release the Lord. Now he thinks of his custom of releasing a prisoner of the people’s choice on the occasion of a feast. As the Passover is drawing near, as a good politician he can use his custom to see if he can release Him that way. These are the excuses of the natural human being not to choose for himself but to pass the responsibility on to others.

As the executor of justice, Pilate failed completely. But God will use Pilate’s custom to make the absolute will of the people to kill His Son even clearer. The unjust representative of the authority of the nations is powerless against evil because he is guilty of the same evil. He too thinks only of himself and his own interests.

Ironically, Pilate has a certain Barabbas in mind as an ‘alternative’ to the Lord. The irony lies in the meaning of his name. Barabbas means ‘son of the father’. His father is the devil. This ‘son of the father’ is placed next to the Son of the Father. Pilate thinks he is making a smart move with Barabbas. He knows that Barabbas is a big criminal in the eyes of the people. They would certainly want him to release Jesus. His thought stems from the right conclusion that the Lord was surrendered out of envy. But he has no eye for their deep hatred of Him, just as he is blind to the corruption of his own heart.

In order to dress his proposal up with authority, he sits on the judgment seat. What an exhibition! The puppet of the people and the servant of Rome represents the official authority and must do justice. He is convinced of the innocence of Christ, but he refuses to express it clearly.

He even receives a warning from his wife. She sends him the message that God has given her in a dream. She calls Him “that righteous Man”. She also says that in her dream she suffered a lot because of Him. This can only be done by the Spirit of God. She listens to the message of God and wants to keep her husband from the greatest iniquity ever. With this she shows herself to be a real help, as a wife is meant to be for her husband.

But Pilate is just as unattainable to his wife as his attempts to release the Lord are to no avail. He will bow to the boundless wickedness and murderousness of the chief priests and elders. They manipulate the crowds to choose Barabbas, while at the same time inciting them to demand the death of the Lord Jesus.

Pilate’s weak answer consists of the choice he announces to them once more. But there is no consideration among the people. The choice is fixed. It doesn’t matter who is released, as long as Jesus is killed.

Matthew 27:49

Jesus or Barabbas

The governor is looking for a way to release the Lord. Now he thinks of his custom of releasing a prisoner of the people’s choice on the occasion of a feast. As the Passover is drawing near, as a good politician he can use his custom to see if he can release Him that way. These are the excuses of the natural human being not to choose for himself but to pass the responsibility on to others.

As the executor of justice, Pilate failed completely. But God will use Pilate’s custom to make the absolute will of the people to kill His Son even clearer. The unjust representative of the authority of the nations is powerless against evil because he is guilty of the same evil. He too thinks only of himself and his own interests.

Ironically, Pilate has a certain Barabbas in mind as an ‘alternative’ to the Lord. The irony lies in the meaning of his name. Barabbas means ‘son of the father’. His father is the devil. This ‘son of the father’ is placed next to the Son of the Father. Pilate thinks he is making a smart move with Barabbas. He knows that Barabbas is a big criminal in the eyes of the people. They would certainly want him to release Jesus. His thought stems from the right conclusion that the Lord was surrendered out of envy. But he has no eye for their deep hatred of Him, just as he is blind to the corruption of his own heart.

In order to dress his proposal up with authority, he sits on the judgment seat. What an exhibition! The puppet of the people and the servant of Rome represents the official authority and must do justice. He is convinced of the innocence of Christ, but he refuses to express it clearly.

He even receives a warning from his wife. She sends him the message that God has given her in a dream. She calls Him “that righteous Man”. She also says that in her dream she suffered a lot because of Him. This can only be done by the Spirit of God. She listens to the message of God and wants to keep her husband from the greatest iniquity ever. With this she shows herself to be a real help, as a wife is meant to be for her husband.

But Pilate is just as unattainable to his wife as his attempts to release the Lord are to no avail. He will bow to the boundless wickedness and murderousness of the chief priests and elders. They manipulate the crowds to choose Barabbas, while at the same time inciting them to demand the death of the Lord Jesus.

Pilate’s weak answer consists of the choice he announces to them once more. But there is no consideration among the people. The choice is fixed. It doesn’t matter who is released, as long as Jesus is killed.

Matthew 27:50

Jesus or Barabbas

The governor is looking for a way to release the Lord. Now he thinks of his custom of releasing a prisoner of the people’s choice on the occasion of a feast. As the Passover is drawing near, as a good politician he can use his custom to see if he can release Him that way. These are the excuses of the natural human being not to choose for himself but to pass the responsibility on to others.

As the executor of justice, Pilate failed completely. But God will use Pilate’s custom to make the absolute will of the people to kill His Son even clearer. The unjust representative of the authority of the nations is powerless against evil because he is guilty of the same evil. He too thinks only of himself and his own interests.

Ironically, Pilate has a certain Barabbas in mind as an ‘alternative’ to the Lord. The irony lies in the meaning of his name. Barabbas means ‘son of the father’. His father is the devil. This ‘son of the father’ is placed next to the Son of the Father. Pilate thinks he is making a smart move with Barabbas. He knows that Barabbas is a big criminal in the eyes of the people. They would certainly want him to release Jesus. His thought stems from the right conclusion that the Lord was surrendered out of envy. But he has no eye for their deep hatred of Him, just as he is blind to the corruption of his own heart.

In order to dress his proposal up with authority, he sits on the judgment seat. What an exhibition! The puppet of the people and the servant of Rome represents the official authority and must do justice. He is convinced of the innocence of Christ, but he refuses to express it clearly.

He even receives a warning from his wife. She sends him the message that God has given her in a dream. She calls Him “that righteous Man”. She also says that in her dream she suffered a lot because of Him. This can only be done by the Spirit of God. She listens to the message of God and wants to keep her husband from the greatest iniquity ever. With this she shows herself to be a real help, as a wife is meant to be for her husband.

But Pilate is just as unattainable to his wife as his attempts to release the Lord are to no avail. He will bow to the boundless wickedness and murderousness of the chief priests and elders. They manipulate the crowds to choose Barabbas, while at the same time inciting them to demand the death of the Lord Jesus.

Pilate’s weak answer consists of the choice he announces to them once more. But there is no consideration among the people. The choice is fixed. It doesn’t matter who is released, as long as Jesus is killed.

Matthew 27:51

Jesus or Barabbas

The governor is looking for a way to release the Lord. Now he thinks of his custom of releasing a prisoner of the people’s choice on the occasion of a feast. As the Passover is drawing near, as a good politician he can use his custom to see if he can release Him that way. These are the excuses of the natural human being not to choose for himself but to pass the responsibility on to others.

As the executor of justice, Pilate failed completely. But God will use Pilate’s custom to make the absolute will of the people to kill His Son even clearer. The unjust representative of the authority of the nations is powerless against evil because he is guilty of the same evil. He too thinks only of himself and his own interests.

Ironically, Pilate has a certain Barabbas in mind as an ‘alternative’ to the Lord. The irony lies in the meaning of his name. Barabbas means ‘son of the father’. His father is the devil. This ‘son of the father’ is placed next to the Son of the Father. Pilate thinks he is making a smart move with Barabbas. He knows that Barabbas is a big criminal in the eyes of the people. They would certainly want him to release Jesus. His thought stems from the right conclusion that the Lord was surrendered out of envy. But he has no eye for their deep hatred of Him, just as he is blind to the corruption of his own heart.

In order to dress his proposal up with authority, he sits on the judgment seat. What an exhibition! The puppet of the people and the servant of Rome represents the official authority and must do justice. He is convinced of the innocence of Christ, but he refuses to express it clearly.

He even receives a warning from his wife. She sends him the message that God has given her in a dream. She calls Him “that righteous Man”. She also says that in her dream she suffered a lot because of Him. This can only be done by the Spirit of God. She listens to the message of God and wants to keep her husband from the greatest iniquity ever. With this she shows herself to be a real help, as a wife is meant to be for her husband.

But Pilate is just as unattainable to his wife as his attempts to release the Lord are to no avail. He will bow to the boundless wickedness and murderousness of the chief priests and elders. They manipulate the crowds to choose Barabbas, while at the same time inciting them to demand the death of the Lord Jesus.

Pilate’s weak answer consists of the choice he announces to them once more. But there is no consideration among the people. The choice is fixed. It doesn’t matter who is released, as long as Jesus is killed.

Matthew 27:52

Sentenced to Death

Now that the choice of the people has proved unshakeable, Pilate asks what to do with “Jesus who is called Christ”. Which judge has ever asked the people what to do with a prisoner? It happens to the Lord Jesus. No injustice, no humiliation has been spared him. And in the midst of this whole pretense, this sham trial, He remains silent.

Pilate tries to bring them to reason with the question of what evil He has done. The people are not open to reason. They want to see blood, His blood.

Pilate realizes that he has to stop his attempts to free Him. His first concern is to keep the people quiet. When there is a revolt, he gets into trouble with his boss in Rome. And he wants to avoid this at all costs, at the expense of justice, at the expense of truth, at the expense of Him Who is the truth.

At the same time, he also wants to exonerate himself. Therefore he takes water to wash his hands as a sign that he has clean hands and is therefore innocent of His blood. As if physical water can take away the great sin that he commits out of his selfish heart. The fool. He believes that he can pass on his own responsibility and place it on the people by saying that they have to see to that themselves. His guilt is fixed forever.

The people are also one hundred percent guilty. They pronounce the word that in the following centuries has become true in a horrible way. It will also become true in the most horrible way in the great tribulation that will come upon them.

Pilate washed his hands, but that doesn’t change the fact that his hands are tied to the will of the people. His hands are covered in blood. He releases the murderer Barabbas and he scourges the Lord. Even if his soldiers actually do it, he is responsible for it. Similarly, he is responsible for crucifying the Lord.

Matthew 27:53

Sentenced to Death

Now that the choice of the people has proved unshakeable, Pilate asks what to do with “Jesus who is called Christ”. Which judge has ever asked the people what to do with a prisoner? It happens to the Lord Jesus. No injustice, no humiliation has been spared him. And in the midst of this whole pretense, this sham trial, He remains silent.

Pilate tries to bring them to reason with the question of what evil He has done. The people are not open to reason. They want to see blood, His blood.

Pilate realizes that he has to stop his attempts to free Him. His first concern is to keep the people quiet. When there is a revolt, he gets into trouble with his boss in Rome. And he wants to avoid this at all costs, at the expense of justice, at the expense of truth, at the expense of Him Who is the truth.

At the same time, he also wants to exonerate himself. Therefore he takes water to wash his hands as a sign that he has clean hands and is therefore innocent of His blood. As if physical water can take away the great sin that he commits out of his selfish heart. The fool. He believes that he can pass on his own responsibility and place it on the people by saying that they have to see to that themselves. His guilt is fixed forever.

The people are also one hundred percent guilty. They pronounce the word that in the following centuries has become true in a horrible way. It will also become true in the most horrible way in the great tribulation that will come upon them.

Pilate washed his hands, but that doesn’t change the fact that his hands are tied to the will of the people. His hands are covered in blood. He releases the murderer Barabbas and he scourges the Lord. Even if his soldiers actually do it, he is responsible for it. Similarly, he is responsible for crucifying the Lord.

Matthew 27:54

Sentenced to Death

Now that the choice of the people has proved unshakeable, Pilate asks what to do with “Jesus who is called Christ”. Which judge has ever asked the people what to do with a prisoner? It happens to the Lord Jesus. No injustice, no humiliation has been spared him. And in the midst of this whole pretense, this sham trial, He remains silent.

Pilate tries to bring them to reason with the question of what evil He has done. The people are not open to reason. They want to see blood, His blood.

Pilate realizes that he has to stop his attempts to free Him. His first concern is to keep the people quiet. When there is a revolt, he gets into trouble with his boss in Rome. And he wants to avoid this at all costs, at the expense of justice, at the expense of truth, at the expense of Him Who is the truth.

At the same time, he also wants to exonerate himself. Therefore he takes water to wash his hands as a sign that he has clean hands and is therefore innocent of His blood. As if physical water can take away the great sin that he commits out of his selfish heart. The fool. He believes that he can pass on his own responsibility and place it on the people by saying that they have to see to that themselves. His guilt is fixed forever.

The people are also one hundred percent guilty. They pronounce the word that in the following centuries has become true in a horrible way. It will also become true in the most horrible way in the great tribulation that will come upon them.

Pilate washed his hands, but that doesn’t change the fact that his hands are tied to the will of the people. His hands are covered in blood. He releases the murderer Barabbas and he scourges the Lord. Even if his soldiers actually do it, he is responsible for it. Similarly, he is responsible for crucifying the Lord.

Matthew 27:55

Sentenced to Death

Now that the choice of the people has proved unshakeable, Pilate asks what to do with “Jesus who is called Christ”. Which judge has ever asked the people what to do with a prisoner? It happens to the Lord Jesus. No injustice, no humiliation has been spared him. And in the midst of this whole pretense, this sham trial, He remains silent.

Pilate tries to bring them to reason with the question of what evil He has done. The people are not open to reason. They want to see blood, His blood.

Pilate realizes that he has to stop his attempts to free Him. His first concern is to keep the people quiet. When there is a revolt, he gets into trouble with his boss in Rome. And he wants to avoid this at all costs, at the expense of justice, at the expense of truth, at the expense of Him Who is the truth.

At the same time, he also wants to exonerate himself. Therefore he takes water to wash his hands as a sign that he has clean hands and is therefore innocent of His blood. As if physical water can take away the great sin that he commits out of his selfish heart. The fool. He believes that he can pass on his own responsibility and place it on the people by saying that they have to see to that themselves. His guilt is fixed forever.

The people are also one hundred percent guilty. They pronounce the word that in the following centuries has become true in a horrible way. It will also become true in the most horrible way in the great tribulation that will come upon them.

Pilate washed his hands, but that doesn’t change the fact that his hands are tied to the will of the people. His hands are covered in blood. He releases the murderer Barabbas and he scourges the Lord. Even if his soldiers actually do it, he is responsible for it. Similarly, he is responsible for crucifying the Lord.

Matthew 27:56

Sentenced to Death

Now that the choice of the people has proved unshakeable, Pilate asks what to do with “Jesus who is called Christ”. Which judge has ever asked the people what to do with a prisoner? It happens to the Lord Jesus. No injustice, no humiliation has been spared him. And in the midst of this whole pretense, this sham trial, He remains silent.

Pilate tries to bring them to reason with the question of what evil He has done. The people are not open to reason. They want to see blood, His blood.

Pilate realizes that he has to stop his attempts to free Him. His first concern is to keep the people quiet. When there is a revolt, he gets into trouble with his boss in Rome. And he wants to avoid this at all costs, at the expense of justice, at the expense of truth, at the expense of Him Who is the truth.

At the same time, he also wants to exonerate himself. Therefore he takes water to wash his hands as a sign that he has clean hands and is therefore innocent of His blood. As if physical water can take away the great sin that he commits out of his selfish heart. The fool. He believes that he can pass on his own responsibility and place it on the people by saying that they have to see to that themselves. His guilt is fixed forever.

The people are also one hundred percent guilty. They pronounce the word that in the following centuries has become true in a horrible way. It will also become true in the most horrible way in the great tribulation that will come upon them.

Pilate washed his hands, but that doesn’t change the fact that his hands are tied to the will of the people. His hands are covered in blood. He releases the murderer Barabbas and he scourges the Lord. Even if his soldiers actually do it, he is responsible for it. Similarly, he is responsible for crucifying the Lord.

Matthew 27:57

Mocked

The governor’s soldiers, soldiers over whom he has authority, take the Lord with them into Pilate’s official residence. These soldiers call on all their comrades to gather “around Him”. Before He is crucified, He becomes the target of the mockery of an entire cohort. Everything that constitutes His dignity as Man is taken from Him. The stripping will not have been done gentle. Then they dress Him up as King by putting a scarlet robe on Him.

To make His confession that He is a King even more ridiculous, they twist a crown of thorns and put it on His head. The Lord is not spared any humiliation. Thorns are the result of sin that has come into the world (Genesis 3:18). By putting a crown of thorns on Him, it is as if they declare Him to be the cause that sin has come into the world. They also give Him a reed as a scepter in his hand. And the Lord holds it.

Mockingly they fall on their knees before Him and greet Him as King of the Jews. And that He is. One day they will fall to their knees before Him. Then it will not be to mock Him, but to confess Him in truth as Lord (Philippians 2:10).

Their contempt knows no bounds. They spit on Him with slanderous spittle. He has not turned His face away from it (Isaiah 50:6). Is there anything that expresses greater contempt than spitting in someone’s face? The reed they had put into His hand as a mocking symbol of government, they take away from him again, beating Him on His head crowned with thorns. The reed is not one that breaks easily, but a real stick. A sponge can be put on it to lift it up to give in that way a drink to the Lord (Matthew 27:48). When their lust for mockery is satiated, they take off the robe of mockery and put his own garments back on Him. Then they lead Him away to crucify Him.

It is poignant that the Lord is completely silent during all the mistreatment and ridicule. There is not even a threatening look. This does not mean that He has allowed everything to come over Himself stoically, numbly, as an inevitable fate. He has felt every mistreatment and ridicule deeply, both physically and in His soul. In several psalms He expresses His feelings about what is done to Him (Psalms 22; 69; 102; 109). He is truly perfect Man, but He is also the perfect Man because He trusts Himself completely to God and knows that He is supported by God in this terrible suffering inflicted upon Him by men.

Matthew 27:58

Mocked

The governor’s soldiers, soldiers over whom he has authority, take the Lord with them into Pilate’s official residence. These soldiers call on all their comrades to gather “around Him”. Before He is crucified, He becomes the target of the mockery of an entire cohort. Everything that constitutes His dignity as Man is taken from Him. The stripping will not have been done gentle. Then they dress Him up as King by putting a scarlet robe on Him.

To make His confession that He is a King even more ridiculous, they twist a crown of thorns and put it on His head. The Lord is not spared any humiliation. Thorns are the result of sin that has come into the world (Genesis 3:18). By putting a crown of thorns on Him, it is as if they declare Him to be the cause that sin has come into the world. They also give Him a reed as a scepter in his hand. And the Lord holds it.

Mockingly they fall on their knees before Him and greet Him as King of the Jews. And that He is. One day they will fall to their knees before Him. Then it will not be to mock Him, but to confess Him in truth as Lord (Philippians 2:10).

Their contempt knows no bounds. They spit on Him with slanderous spittle. He has not turned His face away from it (Isaiah 50:6). Is there anything that expresses greater contempt than spitting in someone’s face? The reed they had put into His hand as a mocking symbol of government, they take away from him again, beating Him on His head crowned with thorns. The reed is not one that breaks easily, but a real stick. A sponge can be put on it to lift it up to give in that way a drink to the Lord (Matthew 27:48). When their lust for mockery is satiated, they take off the robe of mockery and put his own garments back on Him. Then they lead Him away to crucify Him.

It is poignant that the Lord is completely silent during all the mistreatment and ridicule. There is not even a threatening look. This does not mean that He has allowed everything to come over Himself stoically, numbly, as an inevitable fate. He has felt every mistreatment and ridicule deeply, both physically and in His soul. In several psalms He expresses His feelings about what is done to Him (Psalms 22; 69; 102; 109). He is truly perfect Man, but He is also the perfect Man because He trusts Himself completely to God and knows that He is supported by God in this terrible suffering inflicted upon Him by men.

Matthew 27:59

Mocked

The governor’s soldiers, soldiers over whom he has authority, take the Lord with them into Pilate’s official residence. These soldiers call on all their comrades to gather “around Him”. Before He is crucified, He becomes the target of the mockery of an entire cohort. Everything that constitutes His dignity as Man is taken from Him. The stripping will not have been done gentle. Then they dress Him up as King by putting a scarlet robe on Him.

To make His confession that He is a King even more ridiculous, they twist a crown of thorns and put it on His head. The Lord is not spared any humiliation. Thorns are the result of sin that has come into the world (Genesis 3:18). By putting a crown of thorns on Him, it is as if they declare Him to be the cause that sin has come into the world. They also give Him a reed as a scepter in his hand. And the Lord holds it.

Mockingly they fall on their knees before Him and greet Him as King of the Jews. And that He is. One day they will fall to their knees before Him. Then it will not be to mock Him, but to confess Him in truth as Lord (Philippians 2:10).

Their contempt knows no bounds. They spit on Him with slanderous spittle. He has not turned His face away from it (Isaiah 50:6). Is there anything that expresses greater contempt than spitting in someone’s face? The reed they had put into His hand as a mocking symbol of government, they take away from him again, beating Him on His head crowned with thorns. The reed is not one that breaks easily, but a real stick. A sponge can be put on it to lift it up to give in that way a drink to the Lord (Matthew 27:48). When their lust for mockery is satiated, they take off the robe of mockery and put his own garments back on Him. Then they lead Him away to crucify Him.

It is poignant that the Lord is completely silent during all the mistreatment and ridicule. There is not even a threatening look. This does not mean that He has allowed everything to come over Himself stoically, numbly, as an inevitable fate. He has felt every mistreatment and ridicule deeply, both physically and in His soul. In several psalms He expresses His feelings about what is done to Him (Psalms 22; 69; 102; 109). He is truly perfect Man, but He is also the perfect Man because He trusts Himself completely to God and knows that He is supported by God in this terrible suffering inflicted upon Him by men.

Matthew 27:60

Mocked

The governor’s soldiers, soldiers over whom he has authority, take the Lord with them into Pilate’s official residence. These soldiers call on all their comrades to gather “around Him”. Before He is crucified, He becomes the target of the mockery of an entire cohort. Everything that constitutes His dignity as Man is taken from Him. The stripping will not have been done gentle. Then they dress Him up as King by putting a scarlet robe on Him.

To make His confession that He is a King even more ridiculous, they twist a crown of thorns and put it on His head. The Lord is not spared any humiliation. Thorns are the result of sin that has come into the world (Genesis 3:18). By putting a crown of thorns on Him, it is as if they declare Him to be the cause that sin has come into the world. They also give Him a reed as a scepter in his hand. And the Lord holds it.

Mockingly they fall on their knees before Him and greet Him as King of the Jews. And that He is. One day they will fall to their knees before Him. Then it will not be to mock Him, but to confess Him in truth as Lord (Philippians 2:10).

Their contempt knows no bounds. They spit on Him with slanderous spittle. He has not turned His face away from it (Isaiah 50:6). Is there anything that expresses greater contempt than spitting in someone’s face? The reed they had put into His hand as a mocking symbol of government, they take away from him again, beating Him on His head crowned with thorns. The reed is not one that breaks easily, but a real stick. A sponge can be put on it to lift it up to give in that way a drink to the Lord (Matthew 27:48). When their lust for mockery is satiated, they take off the robe of mockery and put his own garments back on Him. Then they lead Him away to crucify Him.

It is poignant that the Lord is completely silent during all the mistreatment and ridicule. There is not even a threatening look. This does not mean that He has allowed everything to come over Himself stoically, numbly, as an inevitable fate. He has felt every mistreatment and ridicule deeply, both physically and in His soul. In several psalms He expresses His feelings about what is done to Him (Psalms 22; 69; 102; 109). He is truly perfect Man, but He is also the perfect Man because He trusts Himself completely to God and knows that He is supported by God in this terrible suffering inflicted upon Him by men.

Matthew 27:61

Mocked

The governor’s soldiers, soldiers over whom he has authority, take the Lord with them into Pilate’s official residence. These soldiers call on all their comrades to gather “around Him”. Before He is crucified, He becomes the target of the mockery of an entire cohort. Everything that constitutes His dignity as Man is taken from Him. The stripping will not have been done gentle. Then they dress Him up as King by putting a scarlet robe on Him.

To make His confession that He is a King even more ridiculous, they twist a crown of thorns and put it on His head. The Lord is not spared any humiliation. Thorns are the result of sin that has come into the world (Genesis 3:18). By putting a crown of thorns on Him, it is as if they declare Him to be the cause that sin has come into the world. They also give Him a reed as a scepter in his hand. And the Lord holds it.

Mockingly they fall on their knees before Him and greet Him as King of the Jews. And that He is. One day they will fall to their knees before Him. Then it will not be to mock Him, but to confess Him in truth as Lord (Philippians 2:10).

Their contempt knows no bounds. They spit on Him with slanderous spittle. He has not turned His face away from it (Isaiah 50:6). Is there anything that expresses greater contempt than spitting in someone’s face? The reed they had put into His hand as a mocking symbol of government, they take away from him again, beating Him on His head crowned with thorns. The reed is not one that breaks easily, but a real stick. A sponge can be put on it to lift it up to give in that way a drink to the Lord (Matthew 27:48). When their lust for mockery is satiated, they take off the robe of mockery and put his own garments back on Him. Then they lead Him away to crucify Him.

It is poignant that the Lord is completely silent during all the mistreatment and ridicule. There is not even a threatening look. This does not mean that He has allowed everything to come over Himself stoically, numbly, as an inevitable fate. He has felt every mistreatment and ridicule deeply, both physically and in His soul. In several psalms He expresses His feelings about what is done to Him (Psalms 22; 69; 102; 109). He is truly perfect Man, but He is also the perfect Man because He trusts Himself completely to God and knows that He is supported by God in this terrible suffering inflicted upon Him by men.

Matthew 27:62

The Crucifixion

That the Lord is perfect Man is shown by the fact that He almost collapses under the weight of the cross He has to carry to Calvary. His strength is dried up like a potsherd (Psalms 22:15). He is so weak, that He can hardly do it. The soldiers see that and want to prevent that He succumbs along the way. Simon of Cyrene has the honor – although he did not see it that way at the time, for he must be pressed to do so – to carry the cross of the Lord Jesus on his back.

When they have passed through the streets of Jerusalem and left the city, they arrive with their Prisoner at the place called Golgotha. This is the place of execution. Because of its shape or perhaps also because of the many executions that have taken place, it has been given the name “Place of a Skull”. A gruesome place, conceived by man to allow criminals to die a horrible death. But what a tremendous blessing has proceeded out of this terrible place through the death of the Savior.

Crucifixion causes indescribable pain. It is a torturing death. To alleviate the suffering to some extent, a kind of anesthetic, wine, mixed with gall, was given to drink. It is also given to the Lord to drink. After having tasted this medicine momentarily, He does not want to drink it, for He wants to taste death in all its fullness.

Matthew says nothing about the crucifixion itself. It must have been awful for the Lord to be laid on the wood and to be attached to the cross with nails through His hands and feet. Then the cross is erected and placed in a hole that has been dug for it. The soldiers who do that work would not have done it gently. The suffering of people in general and of this Man in particular does nothing to them.

After this terrible treatment they sit under the cross casting lots for His garments. Who would have worn His garments later? What they do to have fun is a fulfilment of the Scriptures (Psalms 22:18). God fulfils His Word to the letter, also in the evil of man. The soldiers guard Him to prevent His disciples from taking Him off the cross before He dies. Again such a foolish act in the light of God’s plan.

An inscription hangs above his head: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” The inscription is meant as a mockery and an accusation, but how true it is. He hangs on the cross because He is. Two more criminals are crucified with Him. Matthew expressly mentions that they are crucified to the right and left of Him, so that He hangs in the middle, as if He were the greatest criminal.

Matthew 27:63

The Crucifixion

That the Lord is perfect Man is shown by the fact that He almost collapses under the weight of the cross He has to carry to Calvary. His strength is dried up like a potsherd (Psalms 22:15). He is so weak, that He can hardly do it. The soldiers see that and want to prevent that He succumbs along the way. Simon of Cyrene has the honor – although he did not see it that way at the time, for he must be pressed to do so – to carry the cross of the Lord Jesus on his back.

When they have passed through the streets of Jerusalem and left the city, they arrive with their Prisoner at the place called Golgotha. This is the place of execution. Because of its shape or perhaps also because of the many executions that have taken place, it has been given the name “Place of a Skull”. A gruesome place, conceived by man to allow criminals to die a horrible death. But what a tremendous blessing has proceeded out of this terrible place through the death of the Savior.

Crucifixion causes indescribable pain. It is a torturing death. To alleviate the suffering to some extent, a kind of anesthetic, wine, mixed with gall, was given to drink. It is also given to the Lord to drink. After having tasted this medicine momentarily, He does not want to drink it, for He wants to taste death in all its fullness.

Matthew says nothing about the crucifixion itself. It must have been awful for the Lord to be laid on the wood and to be attached to the cross with nails through His hands and feet. Then the cross is erected and placed in a hole that has been dug for it. The soldiers who do that work would not have done it gently. The suffering of people in general and of this Man in particular does nothing to them.

After this terrible treatment they sit under the cross casting lots for His garments. Who would have worn His garments later? What they do to have fun is a fulfilment of the Scriptures (Psalms 22:18). God fulfils His Word to the letter, also in the evil of man. The soldiers guard Him to prevent His disciples from taking Him off the cross before He dies. Again such a foolish act in the light of God’s plan.

An inscription hangs above his head: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” The inscription is meant as a mockery and an accusation, but how true it is. He hangs on the cross because He is. Two more criminals are crucified with Him. Matthew expressly mentions that they are crucified to the right and left of Him, so that He hangs in the middle, as if He were the greatest criminal.

Matthew 27:64

The Crucifixion

That the Lord is perfect Man is shown by the fact that He almost collapses under the weight of the cross He has to carry to Calvary. His strength is dried up like a potsherd (Psalms 22:15). He is so weak, that He can hardly do it. The soldiers see that and want to prevent that He succumbs along the way. Simon of Cyrene has the honor – although he did not see it that way at the time, for he must be pressed to do so – to carry the cross of the Lord Jesus on his back.

When they have passed through the streets of Jerusalem and left the city, they arrive with their Prisoner at the place called Golgotha. This is the place of execution. Because of its shape or perhaps also because of the many executions that have taken place, it has been given the name “Place of a Skull”. A gruesome place, conceived by man to allow criminals to die a horrible death. But what a tremendous blessing has proceeded out of this terrible place through the death of the Savior.

Crucifixion causes indescribable pain. It is a torturing death. To alleviate the suffering to some extent, a kind of anesthetic, wine, mixed with gall, was given to drink. It is also given to the Lord to drink. After having tasted this medicine momentarily, He does not want to drink it, for He wants to taste death in all its fullness.

Matthew says nothing about the crucifixion itself. It must have been awful for the Lord to be laid on the wood and to be attached to the cross with nails through His hands and feet. Then the cross is erected and placed in a hole that has been dug for it. The soldiers who do that work would not have done it gently. The suffering of people in general and of this Man in particular does nothing to them.

After this terrible treatment they sit under the cross casting lots for His garments. Who would have worn His garments later? What they do to have fun is a fulfilment of the Scriptures (Psalms 22:18). God fulfils His Word to the letter, also in the evil of man. The soldiers guard Him to prevent His disciples from taking Him off the cross before He dies. Again such a foolish act in the light of God’s plan.

An inscription hangs above his head: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” The inscription is meant as a mockery and an accusation, but how true it is. He hangs on the cross because He is. Two more criminals are crucified with Him. Matthew expressly mentions that they are crucified to the right and left of Him, so that He hangs in the middle, as if He were the greatest criminal.

Matthew 27:65

The Crucifixion

That the Lord is perfect Man is shown by the fact that He almost collapses under the weight of the cross He has to carry to Calvary. His strength is dried up like a potsherd (Psalms 22:15). He is so weak, that He can hardly do it. The soldiers see that and want to prevent that He succumbs along the way. Simon of Cyrene has the honor – although he did not see it that way at the time, for he must be pressed to do so – to carry the cross of the Lord Jesus on his back.

When they have passed through the streets of Jerusalem and left the city, they arrive with their Prisoner at the place called Golgotha. This is the place of execution. Because of its shape or perhaps also because of the many executions that have taken place, it has been given the name “Place of a Skull”. A gruesome place, conceived by man to allow criminals to die a horrible death. But what a tremendous blessing has proceeded out of this terrible place through the death of the Savior.

Crucifixion causes indescribable pain. It is a torturing death. To alleviate the suffering to some extent, a kind of anesthetic, wine, mixed with gall, was given to drink. It is also given to the Lord to drink. After having tasted this medicine momentarily, He does not want to drink it, for He wants to taste death in all its fullness.

Matthew says nothing about the crucifixion itself. It must have been awful for the Lord to be laid on the wood and to be attached to the cross with nails through His hands and feet. Then the cross is erected and placed in a hole that has been dug for it. The soldiers who do that work would not have done it gently. The suffering of people in general and of this Man in particular does nothing to them.

After this terrible treatment they sit under the cross casting lots for His garments. Who would have worn His garments later? What they do to have fun is a fulfilment of the Scriptures (Psalms 22:18). God fulfils His Word to the letter, also in the evil of man. The soldiers guard Him to prevent His disciples from taking Him off the cross before He dies. Again such a foolish act in the light of God’s plan.

An inscription hangs above his head: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” The inscription is meant as a mockery and an accusation, but how true it is. He hangs on the cross because He is. Two more criminals are crucified with Him. Matthew expressly mentions that they are crucified to the right and left of Him, so that He hangs in the middle, as if He were the greatest criminal.

Matthew 27:66

The Crucifixion

That the Lord is perfect Man is shown by the fact that He almost collapses under the weight of the cross He has to carry to Calvary. His strength is dried up like a potsherd (Psalms 22:15). He is so weak, that He can hardly do it. The soldiers see that and want to prevent that He succumbs along the way. Simon of Cyrene has the honor – although he did not see it that way at the time, for he must be pressed to do so – to carry the cross of the Lord Jesus on his back.

When they have passed through the streets of Jerusalem and left the city, they arrive with their Prisoner at the place called Golgotha. This is the place of execution. Because of its shape or perhaps also because of the many executions that have taken place, it has been given the name “Place of a Skull”. A gruesome place, conceived by man to allow criminals to die a horrible death. But what a tremendous blessing has proceeded out of this terrible place through the death of the Savior.

Crucifixion causes indescribable pain. It is a torturing death. To alleviate the suffering to some extent, a kind of anesthetic, wine, mixed with gall, was given to drink. It is also given to the Lord to drink. After having tasted this medicine momentarily, He does not want to drink it, for He wants to taste death in all its fullness.

Matthew says nothing about the crucifixion itself. It must have been awful for the Lord to be laid on the wood and to be attached to the cross with nails through His hands and feet. Then the cross is erected and placed in a hole that has been dug for it. The soldiers who do that work would not have done it gently. The suffering of people in general and of this Man in particular does nothing to them.

After this terrible treatment they sit under the cross casting lots for His garments. Who would have worn His garments later? What they do to have fun is a fulfilment of the Scriptures (Psalms 22:18). God fulfils His Word to the letter, also in the evil of man. The soldiers guard Him to prevent His disciples from taking Him off the cross before He dies. Again such a foolish act in the light of God’s plan.

An inscription hangs above his head: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” The inscription is meant as a mockery and an accusation, but how true it is. He hangs on the cross because He is. Two more criminals are crucified with Him. Matthew expressly mentions that they are crucified to the right and left of Him, so that He hangs in the middle, as if He were the greatest criminal.