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As we embark on this exercise, how wonderful it is to know that even while we are studying Jesus’ crucifixion and burial, we know that in our subsequent lesson, we will be rejoicing in his victory over death. These next two chapters are the foundation of our faith—specifically, that our Savior was crucified, died and was buried, and then rose again. Keep this hope in mind as we study this lesson about the events that leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and burial.

Read Matthew 27:1-66 and consider the following questions:

1. When the light of day breaks, the Jews decide to hand over Jesus to Pilate. Pilate was the governor, or procurator, over both Judea and Samaria. He normally lived in the palace at Caesarea; however, he had come to his palace in Jerusalem during the time of the Passover celebration. Since the Jews had already convened a midnight trial, why do you think they now wanted a second trial with Pilate? I can think of two reasons; how about you? (see Matt. 27:1-2)
2. The moment that the Jews made the decision to take Jesus to Pilate, Judas realized that they were out to execute Jesus. What did Judas do when the High Priests refused to take back the thirty pieces of silver? How does the description in Matthew differ from the one in Acts 1:18-19 written by Luke, and how can we explain it? (see Matt. 27:3-10)
3. Compare Zechariah 11:12-13 with the story of Judas. What similarities do we see?
4. Jesus now stands before Pilate, on trial for calling himself the King of the Jews. Did Jesus admit to Pilate that he was indeed their King? (see Matt. 27:11-14)
5. In Matthew 25:15-23, Pilate tries over and over to spare Jesus. We can see in Pilate a man torn in many directions. His wife tells him that she had a dream and that Jesus is innocent. In John 19:12, we see that the crowd is threatening to report him to Caesar if he does not execute someone claiming to be a king. We also see that Pilate himself could find no fault in Jesus; yet, the pressure was on to keep the peace and to work with the Jewish leadership to settle the matter. How does Pilate plan to handle this in a way that keeps everyone satisfied?
6. Rejecting Pilate’s gambit, the crowd called out to crucify Jesus and therefore release Barabbas. Pilate continued to try and get them to see the error of this choice, but they would have none of it. As the crowd shouted louder and louder to have Jesus crucified, Pilate finally gave in. He was not about to have a riot on his hands, or incite people to go to Caesar and tell him that Pilate had allowed someone claiming to be King to go free. What did Pilate do as a final gesture? Was this gesture something that the Jews would have been familiar with? (see Matt. 27:24-26 and Deut. 21:6-9)
7. When Pilate told them that he was innocent of "this man’s blood" and that "it is your responsibility;" how did the crowd respond? (see Matt. 27:25)
8. Pilate proclaimed his innocence in words and in the ceremonial washing. Does the Bible tell us that he was innocent? (see Matt. 27:24 and Acts 4:27)
9. Matthew 27:27-31 records our now–familiar understanding of some of he events that transpired just prior to Christ’s crucifixion. Many other details are contained within the other three gospels. As we can see from these verses, Jesus was beaten severely, mocked, spat upon, ridiculed, and beaten again and again. It is incredible that he survived long enough to be crucified. Read Isaiah 52:13-15. What insight does this prophesy give us about the bloody scene in the Praetorium?
10. Matthew 27:32-56 records some of the events that occurred during Jesus’ crucifixion. In a moment, we will look at the picture of His crucifixion painted by all of the Gospels, but first I want to focus on a very well known verse in Matthew—Matthew 27:46. Read this verse; then refer to Psalm 22. Remember as you read the verse in Matthew that it was common practice to cite a specific Psalm by reciting its first line. What do you think Jesus is saying? Does he believe that God forsook him? Can you find other verses in this Psalm that mirror what is happening at his crucifixion?
11. If we had the time and examined all of the verses in the four Gospels recording the events of Jesus’ crucifixion we would have a comprehensive picture of that day. We know that it began at 9 am, the "third" hour; and that at noon, the "sixth" hour, it became dark until 3 pm, the "ninth" hour. We also know that Jesus was nailed on his cross, and it was placed between two thieves, or robbers. We also know that the Roman guards took all of his clothing, leaving him naked on the cross. They cast lots for his clothes, and pierced his side to make sure he was dead. We know that he uttered seven things from the cross and that, upon his death, the Temple curtain was torn from top to bottom. Over each cross during any crucifixion, the Roman guards would hang a sign with that person’s crime written on it. In Jesus’ case, it was done in such a way that all would see it and read it. What sign did they hang over Jesus, and who told them to do it in that specific way? (see Matt. 27:37 and John 19:20)
12. We now come to the burial of the King of the Jews. Who was this man, Joseph of Arimathea; and why would he ask for the body of Jesus? Why, in fact, would he offer a grave he owned for a crucified person, especially Jesus? And finally, did Joseph bury Jesus by himself, or did he have help? Were there witnesses? Read Matthew 27:57-61, Luke 23:51-56, and John 19:39; and answer these questions in the space below.
13. It is important that we understand from our study of Jesus’ burial that, not only did the Roman Guards declare Jesus was dead, but many others were around the body and saw it as well; and they saw Joseph bury the body and seal the tomb with a large stone. Jesus’ death on the cross was real, it was public, and it was not a story created by the disciples. It is also worthy of note that, while women continued to stay with the body of Jesus until it was placed in the tomb, the disciples all abandoned him. (See Matt. 26:56.) Another interesting note is that, in Matthew 27:62-66, we see that the disciples have abandoned the teachings of Christ, forgetting that he’d told them he would rise in three days. However, another group of men remembered that Jesus said he would rise in three days. Who were they, and what did they want to do while they waited for three days to elapse?

We close our lesson with Jesus’ body having been crucified, buried, and sealed in a grave by Pilate’s Roman Guard. Pilate and the Sanhedrin foolishly believed that man could stop God’s great plan of salvation. Even today, mankind believes that it can be its own god, and be greater than God, using their intellect and things made with human hands. How foolish. Our savior has died on the cross, just as prophesied; but praise God, this is not the end of the story—only the beginning. In our next lesson, we will see that HE IS RISEN! What a glorious day that was, the first Easter Sunday!

In Christ,

Wes

[2017]

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