Matthew 27:24-26

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 27:26

Verse 26 26Then he released to them Barabbas. Our three Evangelists do not mention what is related by John, (John 15:13,) that Pilate ascended the judgment-seat to pronounce sentence from it; for they only state that the clamor of the people and the confused tumult prevailed on him basely to deliver up Christ to death. But both of these things must be observed, that a compliance was forced from him contrary to his will, and yet that he exercised the office of a judge in condemning him whom he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:11-25

Christ before Pilate. I. THE ACCUSATION . 1 . Pilate ' s question. Pilate was proud and cruel; he despised and hated the Jews. But he had something of the old Roman love of justice—he would not condemn the Lord unheard, as the Jews at first desired ( John 18:30 , John 18:31 ). He rejected their request contemptuously, "Take ye him, and judge him according to your Law." They kept back at first the charge of blasphemy, which they knew Pilate would dismiss at once, as Gallio... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:11-31

The actors in a momentous tragedy. The scene is laid in Jerusalem, in the palace of the Roman governor. The occasion is the trial of the Lord Jesus for his life. The whole human race and all the ages are interested. Behold— I. THE PRISONER AT THE BAR . 1 . " Now Jesus stood before the governor. " 2 . Listen to his confession. 3 . Mark his silence . II. THE WITNESSES IN COURT . 1 . The leaders were the rulers of the Jews . (a) In their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:15-26

Barabbas preferred to Jesus. ( Mark 15:6-15 ; Luke 23:17-25 ; John 18:39 , John 18:40 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:15-30

Christ before Pilate. No. 2. The other evangelists tell us of Pilate's first and fatal mistake, in offering, while convinced of his Prisoner's innocence, to chastise him and let him go. He showed the Jews he was afraid of them; and from this point onwards we see him tossed between his own convictions and his fears—a type of all who in their own souls have convictions about Christ and their duty to him, which they do not act out lest they thereby incur loss or abuse. Apparently, before the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:24

He could prevail nothing ( οὐδε Ì ν , ὠφελεῖ , he prevailed nothing ) . Naught that he did altered the determination of the multitude. But that rather a tumult was made ( γι ì νεται , is arising ) . The present tense gives a graphic touch to the narrative. The delay and hesitation of the governor exasperated the people, and there were ominous signs of a riot, which must be suppressed at any sacrifice of principle or equity. He feared that a report might reach... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:24

Guilt that will not wash off. By the Mosaic regulations, the elders of a city in which an undiscovered murder had been committed were to wash their hands over the sin offering, and to say, "Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it" ( Deuteronomy 21:6 ). Pilate thinks that "when he gets the Jews to take the crucifixion of Jesus upon themselves, he has relieved himself, if not entirely, yet in a great measure, of the responsibility. But just as the outward washing of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:25

Then answered all the people. Instigated by the Sanhedrists working insidiously among them, the multitude, now very numerous, respond with fiendish alacrity to Pilate's deprecation. It was a unanimous, a national assumption of guilt, lightly undertaken, terribly vindicated. His blood be on us, and on our children. The consequences of this condemnation, be they what they may, we are willing to suffer. Let God visit it, if he will. upon us and our children; we and they will cheerfully bear... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:26

Released he Barabbas— "him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired" (Luke). When he had scourged Jesus. This was the usual preliminary to crucifixion, especially in the case of shires, and was a punishment of a most severe and cruel nature. The verb here used, φραγελλο ì ω , is formed from the Latin flagellum, and denotes the employment of that terrible implement the Roman scourge. This was no ordinary whip, but commonly a number of leather thongs... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 27:26-34

Preparations for the Crucifixion. I. THE SCOURGING . 1 . It had been predicted. "I gave my back to the smiters," Isaiah said in the spirit of prophecy; and again, in words very solemn and very precious to sin-laden consciences, "By his stripes we are healed." The Lord himself had told his disciples beforehand that he should suffer this cruel indignity ( Matthew 20:19 ). The circumstances of the Lord's sufferings were revealed to the prophets ages before the time. This fact shows... read more

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