They PUT LEANS IN CHAINS, TOOK HIM AWAY, AND HANDED HIM OVER TO PILATE. See notes on Matthew 27:1-2; Matthew 27:11-14. The four Gospels give slightly differing accounts, but if we could have been _eyewitnesses_ of the events, we would see how they accurately present the things that happened.... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAN NAMED BARABBAS. This man was the leader of a group of rebels who had caused a riot and committed murder in it. Barabbas was one of the STASIASTON = rebels, insurrectionists. The Expositor's Greek Testament says: "They were no mere band of brigands but men engaged in an insurrection, probably o... [ Continue Reading ]
SO HE SET BARABBAS FREE FOR THEM. It was ironic to set the guilty man free, and to hand Jesus over to be nailed to the cross. See 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 9:28.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY FORCED HIM TO CARRY JESUS' CROSS. See notes on Matthew 27:32-56. Only Mark tells us that Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus. Compare Romans 16:13; Acts 19:33. Evidently both were well known to Mark's first readers. Even though Cyrene was in North Africa, it had a large Jewish popul... [ Continue Reading ]
IT WAS GETTING ON TOWARD EVENING. See notes on Matthew 27:57-61. John tells us that Nicodemus was with Joseph of Arimathea when he asked for the body of Jesus and placed it in the new grave. Both of these men were members of the Sanhedrin. Nicodemus was a follower of Jesus (John 3:1-5), and attempte... [ Continue Reading ]