Matthew 27-28
Today we are in the Christ Stream and we will finish the book of Matthew. We will cover our first reading of the crucifixion and resurrection as we read from the World English Bible this week.
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Commentary by Dr. Drake Travis
Today we read of what the world has been waiting thousands of years for. History builds to this event. The remainder of history reflects back on this event and draws inspiration to finish our call of Destiny.
27 – is the trial, crucifixion, and burial. We are going to look at some of the distinctions of the other gospels compared to Matthew this time through. If you wish to reference some of this, they are Mk 15, Lk 23, Jn. 18
Matthew says the chief priests and elders took counsel. They had already met with Annas and Caiaphas and been convinced that it was better for one man to die instead of the whole nation…wrong intentions but they did supply the right answer. They want him dead but they want Pilate to drop the gavel. Only Matthew gives detail of Judas here. Keep in mind that Matthew was a government worker prior to being a disciple -and the only one of the 12 to be so. Legal matters are more of an issue to him than to Mark, Luke and John. All the disciples were from Galilee in the north except one; Judas. Interesting that Matthew is possibly making an insinuation here about where “faithful ones” come from and vice versa. When Matthew tells of him before the governor, John is describing this scene in much greater detail as being before Pilate, the discourse, the back and forth, and the frustration of all involved. From here Matthew tells the most in describing Barabbas, while John merely mentions him. Only Luke describes the scene of him in front of Herod. Matthew tells of the crown of thorns and the mocking as does Mk and John. Lk doesn’t have that part. At this point only John tells of Pilate being practically desperate to release Jesus as he addresses the crowd and then Jesus, back and forth. Finally Pilate delivers Jesus to them and washes his hands [only in Matthew] to symbolize that the guilt of killing Jesus is not on him. Only Matthew and Mk reference Jesus being scourged/whipped, but all four gospels say that Pilate then handed him over to be crucified. Luke gives the most dialogue from when Jesus is going from Pilate to Golgotha (the Hebrew word for “skull”). “Calvary” comes from a Latin derivative; a translation that plays out later.
Jesus is offered wine mixed with gall -Mark calls the gall–> myrrh. And then He is crucified
The sign “This is Jesus, King of the Jews” is placed above him. Mk /Lk only reference
“… King of the Jews”. Matthew describes the whole sign for his gospel is written specifically to tell Jesus story to the Jews living in Israel/Jerusalem. [Mark writes to Jews everywhere, Luke write to Greeks, John writes to the whole world (Jn.3:16, “God so loved …the what?” John [alone] describes the bantering over Jesus’ outfit. Mt, Mk, Lk all tell of Jesus being scoffed at; while Matthew tells the most about the derision. The thieves beside Jesus are merely mentioned by Mt./Mk. Luke is the one who fully describes the dialogue between the two thieves and their contrasting attitudes. And Luke is the only one who describes the beautiful dialogue between Jesus and the penitent thief. “Today, you will be with me in Paradise” is one of the most beautiful things ever spoken. It is also a marvelous testament to “being saved by grace”.
The death of Jesus is told by all four who focus and highlight various things distinctively. Matthew gives the greatest description of the natural phenomenon: curtain tearing, earthquake, ground splitting, tombs breaking open, and multiple resurrections! Only John tells of Jesus’ side being pierced. Matthew gives the least detail about Jesus’ burial, but he is the only one to tell of the issue of guards at the tomb and more guards being added.
28 – Looking only through Matthew for the finale~ here, He tells of the women going to the tomb, the earthquake (more nature detail), and the angels informing them of Jesus Resurrection. Now they must also go tell the others. Then Jesus appears to them! and also tells them to tell the disciples that He’s alive and they must go to Galilee to meet Him there. Hey, what better assignment to give to a group of ladies? What do they love better than spreading good news with no other agenda but to be spreading good news. God knows how to spread the word around, eh?!
Meanwhile there’s a scheme afloat back among the chief priests to spread false rumors about the Resurrection being faked. — good luck with that.
Jesus had other appearances, but Matthew focuses on the Galilee scene next to highlight the Great Commission mainly. He tells them to take this gospel to the whole world and to obey all His commands and assures them that He will be with them always until the End of the Age. These words have motivated more action than any other sentence ever spoken. Hundreds of thousands come to Christ daily even today because of this word from Jesus. It triggers more missions and publishing and evangelism and salvations and related activity of ministry than any other single thing ever … ONE SENTENCE. Matthew is so focused on making this the finale~ of his book that he ends with it. ‘doesn’t even mention Jesus going up and ascending back to God. Good Heavens. We need to obey this verse here.
Lord, you went through it all so we would have all of you and take all of you to all of the world. Thank you for being with us still and that you always will. Amen