Matthew 27:1

CHAPTER XXVII.

In the morning, Christ is bound and delivered to Pontius

Pilate, 1, 2.

Judas, seeing his Master condemned, repents, acknowledges his

transgression to the chief priests, attests Christ's innocence,

throws down the money, and goes and hangs himself, 3-5.

They buy the potter's field with the money, 6-10.

Christ, questioned by Pilate, refuses to answer, 11-14.

Pilate, while inquiring of the Jews whether they would have

Jesus or Barabbas released, receives a message from his wife to

have nothing to do in this wicked business, 15-19.

The multitude, influenced by the chief priests and elders,

desire Barabbas to be released, and Jesus to be crucified,

20-23.

Pilate attests his innocence, and the people make themselves

and their posterity responsible for his blood, 24, 25.

Barabbas is released, and Christ is scourged, 26.

The soldiers strip him, clothe him with a scarlet robe, crown

him with thorns, mock, and variously insult him, 27-31.

Simon compelled to bear his cross, 32.

They bring him to Golgotha, give him vinegar mingled with gall

to drink, crucify him, and cast lots for his raiment, 33-36.

His accusation, 37.

Two thieves are crucified with him, 38.

He is mocked and insulted while hanging on the cross, 39-44.

The awful darkness, 45.

Jesus calls upon God, is offered vinegar to drink, expires,

46-50.

Prodigies that accompanied and followed his death, 51-53.

He is acknowledged by the centurion, 54.

Several women behold the crucifixion, 55, 56.

Joseph of Arimathea begs the body of Pilate, and deposites it

in his own new tomb, 57-60.

The women watch the sepulchre, 61.

The Jews consult with Pilate how they may prevent the

resurrection of Christ, 62-64.

He grants them a guard for the sepulchre, and they seal the

stone that stopped the mouth of the tomb where he was laid,

65, 66.

NOTES ON CHAP. XXVII.

Verse Matthew 27:1. When the morning was come] As soon as it was light - took counsel against Jesus. They had begun this counsel the preceding evening, see Matthew 26:59. But as it was contrary to all forms of law to proceed against a person's life by night, they seem to have separated for a few hours, and then, at the break of day, came together again, pretending to conduct the business according to the forms of law.

To put him to death] They had already determined his death, and pronounced the sentence of death on him; Matthew 26:66. And now they assemble under the pretence of reconsidering the evidence, and deliberating on it, to give the greater appearance of justice to their conduct. They wished to make it appear that "they had taken ample time to consider of it, and, from the fullest conviction, by the most satisfactory and conclusive evidence, they had now delivered him into the hands of the Romans, to meet that death to which they had adjudged him."