Coming of the King: Week 62

Matthew 27:1-26: The Trial of Pilate

• 27:1 "When morning came" - by publicly announcing the charge in the morning, they have a weaselly way to obey their own rule about trials at night
• 27:2 "took Him to Pilate" - Pilate's offices were in Caesarea, but he took a regiment to the fortress of Antonio just outside Jerusalem during festivals in case of "unrest".
• 27:3 "Judas saw He was condemned" - I believe Judas thought that he was giving Jesus a nudge to reveal Himself as conquering Messiah. Having Jesus actually executed was not what Judas thought would happen.

  Judas was there when Jesus was taken to Pilate, waiting for the Messiah to reveal the wrath of God against the vile Romans. But also, forgiveness was available - Jesus called him "friend".

• 27:10 "the potter's field" Zechariah 11:12-13
• 27:11 "stood before the governor" - more details are in Luke 23. The accusations are manifestly false ("forbids paying tribute to Caesar" is especially cynical), but Pilate sees through them.
• 27:12 "He answered nothing" Isaiah 53:7
• 27:17 "Barabbas or Jesus" - Caiaphas had prophesied in his office as high priest, "it is better that one man die for the nation". Pilate now echoes that by offering Jesus as a substitute for a wicked individual.
• 27:22 "who is called Christ" - the Messiah is to be cut off at the very year and day prophesied. Daniel 9:24-26