King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Chapters: Matthew 27-28
Message: Matthew: Jesus Before Pilate
Hello My Friend,
As we continue in the reading of the Gospels, we learn that true repentance is more than admitting that we have sinned, it is confessing it to God and putting our faith and trust in all that Christ is, [Acts 16:30-31 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.]
There is one thing that we need to learn about religion, it is great at proclaiming God, but prides itself in a job “well done” instead of trusting that Christ finished the job when He went to the cross. Jesus, said something about religion that we all need to remember, [John 16:1-3 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.]
You see, religion will be the first to tell you that they need to get rid of the infidels, but fail to comprehend that they are the very infidels. Anyone who truly and honestly seeks God’s favor will come to understand that they need Jesus, anyone who thinks otherwise is not serving the Almighty God, they are actually serving the devil himself, [2 Corinthians 11:14-15 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.]
We have been reading about the various accounts of the disciples as they tell their side of what took place when Jesus got captured. Now, we come to Matthew’s account of Jesus being sentenced to death by crucifixion, it begins by what happened when Judas Iscariot discovered that they really were going to kill Jesus.
[Matthew 27:1-5 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. 3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.]
You see, while Judas did understand that he was guilty in aiding the capturing Jesus, who was innocent, there is nothing here that indicated that he believed Him to be the Christ so it is highly unlikely that he got saved that day. This is proof that it is not knowing that Christ existed or even that we are sinners that brings true repentance, it is admitting that we believe in all that He is from His virgin birth to His sinless death on the cross, His burial in the tomb, and resurrection three days later, [Romans 10:9-11 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.]
Well, since the chief priests and scribes also knew that that money was spent on the shedding of innocent blood, they wanted nothing to do with that money so they decided to purchase a piece of land with it, [Matthew 27:6-10 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. 7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. 8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. 9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; 10 And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.]
This prophecy was actually given by Zechariah, [Zechariah 11:12-13 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. 13 And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.]
While it is not a contradiction or error written in the Bible, it is just Matthew’s account, proving that while he did know that the prophecy was given and had come to pass as it was written, he was just like the rest uf us, human. There is not one of us who has not quoted Scripture, thinking that it was someone else who said it. I even hear of people today trying to find the book of Moses, which there is none, but they confuse it with what is written in the first five books of the Bible, referred to as the Torah or the Law of Moses.
Now, Jesus stands before Pilate, Matthew, does not go deep into the conversation that Jesus had with him as John did. Again, Pilate had no knowledge of who Jesus is whatsoever, but even he knew that these men were convicting an innocent man solely out of envy.
[Matthew 27:11-18 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. 12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. 15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. 16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? 18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.]
While these fools thought themselves as gods, Jesus, proved that He is God so of course they are going to be envious of Him. It does not matter what religion or what life we lived, Jesus, will either convict the sinner to repentance or rejection, and since most people are self righteous and proud, very few will repent, [Acts 17:30-31 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.]
At this point, Pilate, was beside himself, he did not want to sentence an innocent man to death, and to make matters worse, his own wife showed up and basically told him to just walk away. However, Pilate was the governor and had a decision to make, so instead of sentencing Him he puts the decision on the Jews.
[Matthew 27:19-24 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. 20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. 22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. 23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. 24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.]
All of this has got to tell you something about what was going to happen to all who contributed to Christ’s death, even though it all had to come to pass. This is a reminder that God will use everyone for a purpose, and I tell you what, I rather be on the Jesus side rather than Satan’s any day, [Romans 9:21-23 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,]
Do you see how God takes the good with the bad? These infidels had no idea that they were going to be used by God to fulfill prophecies given even upon the first sin committed, but that is exactly what was happening. They even went as far as to say that Christ blood would be on not only them, but their children as well.
[Matthew 27:25-30 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. 26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. 28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. 29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! 30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.]
Those thorns that they used to make the crown they put on His head were six inches long and about a half in thick. So, anytime that you think that you are having a rough day, nothing can compare to what Jesus went through for us even before He was crucified, [Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.]
Since Matthew’s account of the Gospel is addressed toward the Jews, he gives an overview of what happened. While Matthew’s account does not tell us how badly Jesus was beaten, it is evident that it was pretty bad as He was too weak to carry the cross.
[Matthew 27:32-36 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. 33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, 34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. 35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. 36 And sitting down they watched him there;]
Exactly why were they all just sitting there watching Him? Perhaps they thought that He was going to jump right off the cross? Or maybe they thought that He would bring an army of angels to set Him free? Well, they were thinking all those things and more, watch as they discuss the matter.
[Matthew 27:38-44 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. 39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. 44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.]
Now, at one point one of those thieves repented because Luke tells us that, but since Matthew’s account is set to appeal to the Jews he points out just what the Jews were saying. These fools were basking in all their pride and short glory as they thought that they were not only doing God a favor by destroying Jesus, but ridding themselves of the man that caused so much trouble for them for three and a half years. Well, their mouths were about to be shut after they witnessed what took place in the next three hours.
[Matthew 27:45-50 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. 48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. 50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.]
From noon until three o’clock in the afternoon it was pitch dark as Jesus hung there, and believe that even though His Father could not look at Him at the time, that darkness spared Jesus from the scorching heat of the sun. Nevertheless, here is Jesus watching all this, is such pain, and I am sure very thirsty and heartbroken, all He could do is cry out to His Father. Sometimes, even though we know God is with us and that on the other side of the pain will come joy, that still does not stop us from crying out to our Father when we are in pain.
If those reprobates had any sense in them they would have knew that Elias had already come through John, the Baptist, [Matthew 17:12-13 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. 13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.]. And if the miracles did not convince them, His death should have. As soon as He died there was an earthquake, graves were opened and the veil that had separated the holy place from the most holy place was ripped in half from the top down.
[Matthew 27:51-55 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:]
The veil that separated the holy place from the most holy place (the place God dwelt at one time) was ripped in two from the top down, this signified that Jesus would not be the mediator between God and man, []
Can you imagine this sight! Those who resurrected are the ones who died in their faith prior to Christ’s passion, they were actually in what was called paradise or Abraham’s bosom. And from the sound of it they too walked, the earth as Jesus did after His resurrection until He ascended back into heaven, [Acts 1:2-3 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:]
Now, at that point even the soldiers went from being fools to believers, they were just convicted of everything they did to Jesus all the way up to the cross and received Him right then and there. There was a man also there, a disciple of Jesus and when he saw His body hanging there went to Pilate and literally begged him for it.
[Matthew 27:57-60 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: 58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.]
There is another prophecy fulfilled here, [Isaiah 53:9-10 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.]
However, those faithless Jews were still not convinced, but sure remembered what Jesus said, they even went to Pilate and told him that he needed to send someone to guard the tomb, [Matthew 27:62-66 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. 65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.]
This angers me every time I read it, still today they believe that the disciples were the ones to take Jesus’ body after it had been discovered to be empty, [Matthew 28:11-15 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.]
You know, this all might have been fulfilled prophecy, but they were correct about one thing, their denying of His resurrection was worse than their crucifying Him. They all suffered dire consequences for putting Jesus on the cross to begin with, just like when Jesus told Judas Iscariot that he would wish that he were never born, [Acts 4:10-11 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.]
Nevertheless, they would all be eating their words when the three days later Jesus did raise from the dead, [Matthew 28:1-6 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.]
Those soldiers were so scared of what was going on that they fainted. Jesus, could have rolled back the stone by His own power, but he chose to have it done by an angel. The resurrection of Christ, while it is the joy of His believers, it is the terror and confusion of His enemies. And now that the angel told the ladies that Jesus was alive, he goes on to tell them to let everyone know.
[Matthew 28:7-10 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. 9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.]
Jesus, Himself met the ladies and told them not to be afraid. As Christians, we are not put on this earth to blend in with the crowd or hide in a bubble somewhere, we are here to stand out in faith, knowing that everything in the Bible is true. Once converted, believers cannot wait to tell others, which is why the ladies wasted no time in telling the disciples where Jesus was.
[Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.]
The one who doubted was Thomas, he would not believe that Jesus resurrected until he put his finger through the holes that were one His side and feet. Still today, he has gone down in history being known as doubting Thomas. Let me tell you, what does not kill us definitely makes us stronger, and not in our own strength, but in the strength of Jesus Christ, [2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, To the world, everything I believe in and stand for about You is a joke and untrue, I am so glad that I am not a part of them. I understand that I am not saved by my works of righteousness, but by my believing and accepting that Your work on the cross is all I need to save me. I am trusting only in You Jesus, to keep me out of hell and know that no matter what I have done or will do, it is all over now, I am forgiven and You will never leave nor forsake me. To show my appreciation and love for You, I want to live my life with You in it. Lord, Lead me and guide me, help me to be that faithful witness and a testimony to the amazing life that I now live with You, even when I am suffering, and let me be bold to speak the truth when others want to tear me down for my faith. I love You, Lord, and pray in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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