# Matthew 27 > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Matthew_27 > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Matthew_27.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_27 > Source revision: 1345976750 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **Matthew 27** is the 27th chapter in the [Gospel of Matthew](/source/Gospel_of_Matthew), part of the [New Testament](/source/New_Testament) in the [Christian](/source/Christianity) [Bible](/source/Bible). This chapter contains Matthew's record of the day of the [trial](/source/Pilate's_court), [crucifixion](/source/Crucifixion_of_Jesus) and [burial of Jesus](/source/Burial_of_Jesus). Scottish theologian [William Robertson Nicoll](/source/William_Robertson_Nicoll) notes that "the record of this single day is very nearly one-ninth of the whole book".[1] ## Text The original text was written in [Koine Greek](/source/Koine_Greek). [This chapter is divided into](/source/Chapters_and_verses_of_the_Bible) 66 verses. ### Textual witnesses Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:[2] - [Papyrus 104](/source/Papyrus_104) (AD ~250; extant verses 34–37, 43, 45) - [Codex Vaticanus](/source/Codex_Vaticanus) (325–350) - [Codex Sinaiticus](/source/Codex_Sinaiticus) (330–360) - [Codex Bezae](/source/Codex_Bezae) (c. 400; extant verses 1, 13–66) - [Codex Washingtonianus](/source/Codex_Washingtonianus) (c. 400) - [Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus](/source/Codex_Ephraemi_Rescriptus) (c. 450; extant verses 1–10, 47–66) - [Papyrus 105](/source/Papyrus_105) (5th/6th century; extant verses 62–64)[3] - [Codex Purpureus Rossanensis](/source/Codex_Purpureus_Rossanensis) (6th century) - [Codex Petropolitanus Purpureus](/source/Codex_Petropolitanus_Purpureus) (6th century; extant verses 27–33) ### Old Testament references - : [Psalm](/source/Psalm_69) : [Alexander Kirkpatrick](/source/Alexander_Kirkpatrick) notes that "allusion seems to be made to this passage ... though it is not actually quoted".[4] - : [Psalm](/source/Psalm_22) [5] - : [Psalm](/source/Psalm_22) [5] - : [Psalm](/source/Psalm_22) [5] - : [Psalm](/source/Psalm_22) [5] - : [Psalm](/source/Psalm_69) [4] ### New Testament parallels - [Matthew 27:1](/source/Matthew_27:1)[–2](/source/Matthew_27:2), : ; ; - ; - ; ; - ; ; - ; ; ## Structure The [New International Version](/source/New_International_Version) (NIV) organises the material in this chapter as follows: - [Judas Hangs Himself](/source/Judas_Iscariot#Death) (verses 1–10) - [Jesus Before Pilate](/source/Pilate's_court) (verses 11–26) - [The Soldiers Mock Jesus](/source/Mocking_of_Jesus) (verses 26–31) - The [Crucifixion of Jesus](/source/Crucifixion_of_Jesus) (verses 32–44) - The Death of Jesus (verses 45–56) - The [Burial of Jesus](/source/Burial_of_Jesus) (verses 57–61) - The Guard at the Tomb (verses 62–66)[6] ## Overview During the morning after his [arrest](/source/Arrest_of_Jesus), the [trial](/source/Sanhedrin_trial_of_Jesus) of [Jesus](/source/Jesus) before the [Sanhedrin](/source/Sanhedrin) is concluded with plans to have Jesus executed ([verse 1](/source/Matthew_27:1)), and he is taken to [Pontius Pilate](/source/Pontius_Pilate), the Roman governor [(procurator)](/source/Procurator_(Ancient_Rome)) of [Judaea](/source/Judaea_(Roman_province)).[7] As Jesus was being led away,[8] [Judas Iscariot](/source/Judas_Iscariot), who had betrayed Jesus, sees that his former teacher has been condemned,[9] and is overcome by [remorse](/source/Remorse): in the words of the [King James Version](/source/King_James_Version), he "repented himself". The word translated as "repented" (Greek: μεταμεληθεις, *metamelētheis*) is not the same as the word for [repentance](/source/Repentance) which [John the Baptist](/source/John_the_Baptist) and Jesus himself used in their [ministry](/source/Ministry_of_Jesus) (Greek: μετανοειτε, *metanoeite*);[10] Arthur Carr, in the [Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges](/source/Cambridge_Bible_for_Schools_and_Colleges) notes that "it implies no change of heart or life, but merely remorse or regret".[7] Judas brings back the [30 pieces of silver](/source/Thirty_pieces_of_silver) which had been given to him by the priests of Judea as [recompense](/source/Bargain_of_Judas) for identifying his master to [Caiaphas](/source/Caiaphas), throwing them down in the temple, and then leaves to commit [suicide](/source/Suicide). Meanwhile, Jesus impresses Pilate, who is taken aback by Jesus' silent dignity at his questioning over the "many charges" brought against him.[11] Pilate begins to address the crowd, and knowing (or "shrewdly suspecting")[1] that the chief priests had handed Jesus over because they were [jealous](/source/Jealousy) of his popularity, asks the crowd to choose between freeing a notorious prisoner known as [Barabbas](/source/Barabbas), or Jesus. The crowd, persuaded by the chief priests and elders, respond passionately, repeating "Let Him (Christ) be crucified!" Pilate, bewildered by this, asks the crowd for a reason for their choice. Instead, they continue to call ever more loudly for the crucifixion of Jesus. Pilate comes to see that he cannot reason with the crowd. His [wife](/source/Pontius_Pilate's_wife) has had a disturbing dream and asks him to have "nothing to do with that just man".[12] Instead, he tries to absolve himself of his responsibility in the case, washing his hands in a basin and saying to the crowd: "I am [innocent](/source/Innocence) of the blood of this just Person. You see to it".[13] Then the Jews present at the trial [take responsibility](/source/Blood_curse) for the shedding of Jesus' blood. Pilate has Barabbas released, lets Jesus be flogged and sends him off to be crucified. [Jesus](/source/Jesus) is led away to the [Praetorium](/source/Praetorium) of the Governor's Residence, where Pilate's guard and the [praetorian guard](/source/Praetorian_guard) mock him, giving him a scarlet [robe](/source/Robe) in place of his own clothes, a reed to hold as a sign of his "kingship" and a [crown made of twisted thorns](/source/Crown_of_thorns). The soldiers then replace the robe with Jesus' own clothes and lead him to [Golgotha](/source/Golgotha) (the "place of a skull"); in [Luke's Gospel](/source/Gospel_of_Luke) this journey is recorded with "several particulars of what happened on the way to Golgotha, omitted in the other Gospels: the great company of people and of [women who followed Him](/source/Female_disciples_of_Jesus); the touching address of Jesus to the women; the last warning of the coming sorrows; the leading of two malefactors with Him".[7][14] A man named [Simon](/source/Simon_of_Cyrene), from [Cyrene](/source/Cyrene,_Libya), is compelled to carry Jesus' [cross](/source/Instrument_of_Jesus'_crucifixion). At Golgotha he is offered wine mingled with gall, which he tastes but does not drink. The soldiers cast lots for his garments once he is [crucified](/source/Crucifixion). Those who passed him deride him, taunting him to come down from the cross, saying "He trusts in God, let God deliver him now". At three o'clock Jesus cries "My God, why have you forsaken me?", and starts to give up on his life. One passer-by offers Jesus some wine to drink but the group tell him "Wait, let us see if [Elijah](/source/Elijah) comes to save him". They misunderstand Jesus' pleas, as he is in tremendous physical pain. Jesus cries out once more, but eventually dies. Suddenly, "the crucifixion scene transforms into an explosion of triumph ... as if God responds to the lingering sound of Jesus’ death prayer":[15] the [veil of the Temple sanctuary](/source/Veil_of_the_Temple) is torn in two, rocks start to split, and an [earthquake](/source/Earthquake) occurs (verse 51), and there follows, after Jesus' resurrection, a resurrection of the dead saints, who enter the holy city. This indicates how the earth has been shaken by the death of the Son of God. Centurions stare on at Jesus in disbelief, as do other bystanders. Arthur Carr comments that the rending of the temple veil must have been seen and reported by the [temple priests](/source/Cohenim), perhaps those who later ([Acts 6](/source/Acts_6):7) became "obedient to the faith".[7] On the night following Jesus' death, [Joseph of Arimathea](/source/Joseph_of_Arimathea), a [disciple](/source/Disciple_(Christianity)) of Jesus, asks for the body of Jesus. Pilate permits this, and Joseph, wrapping the body in a linen cloth, buries the body and rolls a stone against the entrance of the tomb, sealing it from looters and gravediggers. Meanwhile, the priests and pharisees remember Jesus' remark that "After three days I will rise".[16] The chapter concludes with Pilate authorising a detachment of troops to guard the tomb, in case the disciples come to remove the body. ## Analysis Matthew's crucifixion story has many parallels with Mark's crucifixion story. However, Matthew follows a theme recurring throughout his gospel by providing deeper descriptions than Mark. Matthew's crucifixion scene runs for only sixteen verses from to , the same number of verses as in the [Gospel of Mark](/source/Gospel_of_Mark), but one more than the [Gospel of Luke](/source/Gospel_of_Luke), and three more than the [Gospel of John](/source/Gospel_of_John). It is postulated that all writers wished to simply recall the facts surrounding Jesus' death, rather than engage in theological reflection.[citation needed] , , , all share a succinct summary of the crucifixion, in that they all say, "They crucified Him". [Mark](/source/Mark_the_Evangelist) and [John](/source/John_the_Apostle) give an account of the time of Jesus' death ("The third hour" in , and the "sixth hour" in ), whereas [Luke](/source/Luke_the_Evangelist), and Matthew himself do not. There are differences between the [Gospels](/source/Gospels) as to what the [last words of Jesus](/source/Sayings_of_Jesus_on_the_cross) were. [Matthew 27:46](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2027:46;&version=31;) and [Mark 15:34](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%2015:34;&version=31;) declare that Jesus' last words were: "Why have you forsaken me"?, whereas his words in are "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit", and in [John 19:30](/source/John_19:30), "It is finished". Further differences can be found in the Gospels as to whether [Jesus carried his own cross](/source/Christ_Carrying_the_Cross) or not. In the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and Mark, Jesus receives assistance from [Simon of Cyrene](/source/Simon_of_Cyrene), whereas in the [Gospel of John](/source/Gospel_of_John), Jesus carries the cross by himself. ## Parallelism [Dale Allison](/source/Dale_Allison) notes an obvious formal feature in [Matthew 27:3](/source/Matthew_27:3)–[10](/source/Matthew_27:10), that is, a parallelism underlining the fulfillment between the scriptural quotation (cf. [Zechariah 11:13](/source/Zechariah_11:13)) and the narrative:[17] the narrative verse(s) the quotation verse 'taking' 6 'they took' 9 'thirty pieces of silver' 3, 5,6 'thirty pieces of silver' 9 'money' (Greek: time) 6 'price' (timen) 9 'the potter's field' 7, 8 'the potter's field' 10 Other resemblances between and [Matthew 28:1](/source/Matthew_28:1)–[11](/source/Matthew_28:11) are also noted by Allison:[18] The Death of Jesus The Resurrection of Jesus An earthquake An earthquake Opening of tombs Opening of tombs A resurrection A resurrection The guards fear The guards fear Witnesses to the events (the resurrected saints) go to the holy city Witnesses to the events (the Jewish guards) go to the city There are women witnesses (including Mary Magdalene and another Mary) There are women witnesses (Mary Magdalene and another Mary) ## See also - [Blood curse](/source/Blood_curse) - [Christ carrying the cross](/source/Christ_carrying_the_cross) - [Crown of thorns](/source/Crown_of_thorns) - [Crucifixion of Jesus](/source/Crucifixion_of_Jesus) - [Judas Iscariot](/source/Judas_Iscariot) - [Pontius Pilate](/source/Pontius_Pilate) - [Pilate's court](/source/Pilate's_court) - [Stephaton](/source/Stephaton) - [Matthew 27:9–10](/source/Matthew_27:9%E2%80%9310) - Related [Bible](/source/Bible) parts: [Judges 9](/source/Judges_9), [Psalm 22](/source/Psalm_22), [Jeremiah 32](/source/Jeremiah_32), [Zechariah 11](/source/Zechariah_11), [Mark 15](/source/Mark_15), [Luke 23](/source/Luke_23), [John 18](/source/John_18), [John 19](/source/John_19) ## References 1. Nicoll, W. R., [Expositor's Greek Testament on Matthew 27](http://biblehub.com/commentaries/egt/matthew/27.htm), accessed 3 March 2017 1. [List of manuscripts „Fortsetzung der Liste der Handschriften“](https://www.uni-muenster.de/NTTextforschung/KgLSGII08_02_27.pdf) [Institut für Neutestamentliche Textforschung](/source/Institut_f%C3%BCr_Neutestamentliche_Textforschung), [Universität Münster](/source/Westf%C3%A4lische_Wilhelms-Universit%C3%A4t). (PDF-file; 147 kB) 1. Thomas, J. David. *The Oxyrhynchus Papyri LXIV* (London: 1997), pp. 12–13; ["Liste Handschriften"](http://intf.uni-muenster.de/vmr/NTVMR/ListeHandschriften.php?ObjID=10105). Münster: Institute for New Testament Textual Research. Retrieved 27 August 2011. 1. Kirkpatrick 1901, p. 839. 1. Kirkpatrick 1901, p. 838. 1. Carr, A., [Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges on Matthew 27](http://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/matthew/27.htm), accessed 2 March 2017 1. [Meyer, H. A. W.](/source/Heinrich_August_Wilhelm_Meyer), [Meyer's NT Commentary](https://biblehub.com/commentaries/meyer/matthew/27.htm) on Matthew 27, accessed 19 October 2019 1. : 1. : [International Standard Version](/source/International_Standard_Version) 1. NKJV 1. NKJV 1. Hoagland, V., [The Passion in the Gospel of Matthew](https://passionofchrist.us/the-passion-matthews-gospel), *Immaculate Conception Monastery - Jamaica, NY*, accessed 26 March 2021 1. See , the [Sign of Jonah](/source/Jonah#In_the_New_Testament) and , Jesus' private teaching to his disciples 1. Allison 2007, p. 882. 1. Allison 2007, p. 884. ## Sources - Allison, Dale C. Jr. (2007). ["57. Matthew"](https://books.google.com/books?id=ZJdVkgEACAAJ). *The Oxford Bible Commentary*. first (paperback) ed. Barton, John & Muddiman, John (eds.). Oxford University Press. pp. 844–886. ISBN 978-0199277186. Retrieved February 6, 2019. - Kirkpatrick, A. F. (1901). [*The Book of Psalms: with Introduction and Notes*](https://books.google.com/books?id=SLJzlHElr6cC). Vol. Book IV and V: Psalms XC-CL. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. Cambridge: At the University Press. Retrieved February 28, 2019. ## Further reading - [Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew](https://archive.today/20020906220843/http://home.clara.net/arlev/matt109.htm). - [Contradictions in the Gospel accounts of Jesus' crucifixion](http://atheism.about.com/od/gospelcontradictions/p/Crucifixion.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20060411171755/http://atheism.about.com/od/gospelcontradictions/p/Crucifixion.htm) 2006-04-11 at the Wayback Machine. ## External links - King James Bible - Wikisource - [English Translation with Parallel Latin Vulgate](http://www.latinvulgate.com/lv/verse.aspx?t=1&b=1&c=27) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190617040649/http://latinvulgate.com/lv/verse.aspx?t=1&b=1&c=27) 2019-06-17 at the Wayback Machine - [*Online Bible* at GospelHall.org](http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=Matthew+27) (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English) - [Multiple bible versions at *Bible Gateway*](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=27) (NKJV, NIV, NRSV etc.) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Matthew 27](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_27) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_27?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.