Matthew 27:1-14
Dear RTB’ers,
So, what to make of Judas? Here is Jesus speaking at the Last Supper: The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born. (Matthew 26:24) Is this Jesus’ ultimate condemnation of Judas for his betrayal? What exactly does Jesus mean by this statement? Then, also, what about Judas’ remorse? Then when Judas, His betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood. (vv. 27:3-4) Is this confession (I have sinned…), deserving of the same forgiveness that Jesus offers any one of us? Judas leaves me confused. Naturally, I go along with Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, whatever He meant…!
Jesus answers Pilate’s first question (Mt. 27:11), but He fails to answer his second (Mt. 27:13-14). By contrast, Jesus refuses to answer any of the accusations from the chief priests and elders (Mt. 27:12). For Matthew, this is the end of Jesus’ discussions with Pilate. Please see John 18:33-38, 19:10-11 for further discussions between Jesus and Pilate.
We continue Jesus’ Passion for another three reading days.
Blessings.
See also:
- November 17 (2023) / Matthew 27:1-31; Mark 15:1-20; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28-19:16 (focusing on the John passage)
- June 13 (2021) / Matt. 27:1-26