Matthew 27:27-44 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:33

And when they were come to a place called Golgotha ,.... The true pronunciation is "Golgoltha", and so it is read in Munster's Hebrew Gospel. It is a Syriac word, in which language letters are often left out: in the Syriac version of this place, the first "l" is left out, and the latter retained, and it is read "Gogoltha": and so, in the Persic, "Gagulta"; and in the Arabic, "Gagalut". The Ethiopic version reads it, "Golgotha"; and so, Dr. Lightfoot observes, it is read by the Samaritan... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:34

They gave him vinegar to drink ,.... It was a custom with the Jews F15 T. Bab. Avoda Zara, fol. 12. 2. when "a man went out to be executed, to give him to drink a grain of frankincense in a cup of wine, that his understanding might be disturbed, as it is said, Proverbs 31:6 . "Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish, and wine to those that be of heavy hearts"; and the tradition is, that the honourable women in Jerusalem gave this freely; but if they did not, it was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:35

And they crucified him ,.... That is, the soldiers: they laid the cross upon the ground, and stretched Christ upon it; they extended his two arms as far as they could, to the transverse part of it, and nailed his hands unto it: his two feet they fixed by each other on a basis, in the body of the cross, through which they also drove nails; and then raising it up, fixed it in the earth, and left him hanging on it till he expired. This death was not only painful and cruel, but exceedingly... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:36

And sitting down, they watched him there. That is, the soldiers, after they had crucified Jesus, and parted his garments, sat down on the ground at the foot of the cross, and there watched him, lest his disciples should take him down; though there was no need to fear that, since they were few, and weak, and wanted courage, and were in the utmost dread and consternation themselves; or lest the people, who were very changeable with respect to Christ, one day saying Hosanna to the son of David,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:37

And set up over his head his accusation written ,.... The Evangelist John calls it a "title", John 19:19 , and Luke, a "superscription", Luke 23:38 , and Mark, the "superscription of his accusation", Mark 15:26 , it was what contained the sum and substance of what he was accused, and for which he was condemned, and suffered. The Syriac and Persic versions here render it, "the cause of his death". It was written by Pilate in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, that all might read it; and by his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:38

Then were there two thieves crucified with him ,.... Which seems contrary to one of their canons, which runs thus; ביום אחד . אין דנין שנים , "they do not judge two in one day" F25 T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 35. 1. & 46. 1. Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 8. fol. 190. 1. , unless they were both in the same crime, and died the same death: but here were three persons, Jesus, and these two malefactors, condemned and executed in one, and the same day: these two thieves were led out with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:39

And they that passed by ,.... In the road to or from Jerusalem; for, it seems, the crosses were placed by the wayside; or they who passed by the cross, the populace that came from Jerusalem, on purpose to see the sight, reviled him , or "blasphemed him": they spoke all manner of evil of him, they could think of, to which he answered not a word; and which may teach us patience under the revilings of men: this was foretold of him, Psalm 89:51 , "they have reproached the footsteps of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:40

And saying, thou that destroyest the temple ,.... The Vulgate Latin, and Munster's Hebrew Gospel, read, "the temple of God"; and add "ah!" here, as in Mark 15:29 , and so Beza says it is read in a certain copy. They refer to the charge of the false witnesses against him, who misrepresenting his words in John 2:19 , declared that he gave out that he was able to destroy the temple of Jerusalem, and rebuild it in three days time; wherefore it is added, and buildest it in three days, save... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:41

Likewise also the chief priests ,.... Who as they attended at his apprehension, and in their own council condemned him to death unanimously, and were very busy at his arraignment, examination, and trial before Pilate, and persuaded the people to be urgent for his crucifixion; they follow him to the cross to exult over him, and insult him, and to see that the execution was strictly performed: and forgetting their character, office, and education; and laying aside all humanity, decent, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:42

He saved others, himself he cannot save ,.... This was not so much a concession of theirs, that he had done many saving works, as healing the sick, cleansing lepers, causing the blind to see, and the lame to walk, and raising the dead; but rather a suggestion, that these were only pretensions and illusions; that either they were not really done, or done by the help of the devil; since now he himself was in the utmost extremity, he could not save himself: but of this they might have been... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:33

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:34

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:35

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:36

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:37

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:38

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:39

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:40

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:41

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:42

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