Matthew - Week 88

Give Us Barabbas 

READ 

Matthew 27:19-21 

19 Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.” 20 Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death. 21 So the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release to you?”  

The crowd shouted back, “Barabbas!” 

God sent Pilate a message that he should have nothing to do with executing Jesus. Pilate’s wife had a nightmare. She declared Jesus was innocent and Pilate should leave Him alone. At the same time the Jewish religious leaders wanted Jesus to be executed. They preferred a murderer to be released rather than Jesus.  

REFLECT 

Do you see the difference between those who have a relationship with Jesus and those who only have religion? 

RESPOND 

Matthew recorded previously how God had guided the wise men and Joseph through dreams (see Matthew 1:20; 2:12-13, 19-22). Matthew 27:19 reveals another attempt to communicate with Pilate and warn him not to proceed with the trial and execution of Jesus.  

Crucify Him 

READ 

Matthew 27:22-23 

22 Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”  

They shouted back, “Crucify him!” 23 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!” 

Pilate was uncertain about what to do with Jesus and even referred to Him as the one “who is called the Messiah.” Nothing would satisfy the angry Jewish religious leaders. The crowd could not name a crime He had committed that would satisfy the Roman governor. They just wanted Him killed.  

REFLECT 

Think about how anger can blind people to the point where they are unable to use common sense.  

RESPOND 

Hopefully you are reading this account in Matthew with a friend so both of you are thinking about this trial before the Roman governor. Because Pilate thought Jesus was innocent, what would you expect Pilate to do next? 

Taking Responsibility 

READ 

Matthew 27:24-26 

24 Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!” 25 And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and our children!” 

26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified. 

Above all, Pilate did not want a riot to occur. To demonstrate he believed Jesus was innocent he washed his hands before the crowd and declared Jesus’ death would be their responsibility. Yet, the Jewish people did not have the authority to put anyone to death, only the Romans could do that. Even though Pilate thought Jesus was innocent he had Him flogged, which was an excruciating punishment. Then Jesus was turned over to be crucified. 

REFLECT 

Consider how terrible it was that Pilate thought Jesus was innocent and yet had Him severely punished and turned over to be crucified. 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend how the pressure from a crowd can sometimes cause those in authority to do something they would not otherwise do. Can you think of examples in your lifetime where this has occurred? 

Mocking the Messiah 

READ 

Matthew 27:27-31 

27 Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. 31 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified. 

This passage reveals what Jesus experienced by those He could have destroyed by a spoken word. He endured it all, however, because it was in God’s plan to provide salvation for all mankind who would believe in Jesus. He was likely unrecognizable at this point as they led Jesus away to be crucified. 

REFLECT 

Think of what Jesus’ mother would have thought if she knew her son was going through this horrible time. 

RESPOND 

To read about Jesus’ ability to destroy others by the spoken word, see Revelation 19:21 to see He will destroy an army by His spoken word. This will occur when He returns to the earth at His Second Advent.  

Place of the Skull 

READ 

Matthew 27:32-34 

32 Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. 33 And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). 34 The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it. 

Understandably, Jesus had little strength to bear the load of the cross after being so severely beaten. A person from northern Africa was compelled to carry the cross. The terrain of Golgotha was reminiscent of a skull. The “wine mixed with bitter gall” was to help deaden the senses of pain, but Jesus refused to drink it. He wanted to experience the full effects of dying for the sins of others even though He was without sin (see 2 Corinthians 5:21).  

REFLECT 

Think of all that Jesus suffered for you and others who can have salvation by believing in Him. 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about why Jesus was willing to suffer so much in dying for others. Read passages such as Philippians 2:5-11 and Hebrews 12:1-4. Because of all Jesus has done for believers, may they honor Him in all they do, as instructed in Philippians 4:4-5.