Matthew 27
CBNotesMatthew 27:1
against. Greek. kata. App-104.
Jesus. App-98.
to put Him, &c. = so that they might put Him, &c.
Matthew 27:3
which had betrayed Him = that delivered Him up.
repented himself. Greek. matamelomai. App-111.
the thirty pieces, &c. Compare Matthew 26:15.
Matthew 27:4
sinned. App-128. Literally “I sinned”.
the innocent. (No Art.) The innocence of the Lord affirmed by six witnesses, three in Matthew and three in Luk_:1. Judas (Matthew 27:4);
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Pilate (Matthew 27:24);
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Pilate’s wife (Matthew 27:19);
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Herod (Luke 23:15);
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the malefactor (Luke 23:41);
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the Roman centurion (Luke 23:47).
innocent. Greek. athoos. Occurs only here, and Matthew 27:24.
blood. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6, for the whole person, with a latent reference to Matthew 27:6. Compare verses: Matthew 24:25. Psalms 94:21. Proverbs 1:11.
What . . . &c. Ignoring both the Lord’s innocence and Judas’s guilt. see thou to that = thou wilt see [to it]. see. App-133.
Matthew 27:5
in. Greek. en. App-104. But all the texts read eis = into (vi) the Sanctuary, over the barrier into the Sanctuary.
Temple = the Sanctuary. Greek. naos. See note on Matthew 23:16.
hanged himself. Greek. apagchomai. Occurs only here. Acts 1:18 describes what took place, in consequence, afterward. He must have been hanging before he could “fall forward”. See note there. Greek. apagcho. Occurs only here (Matthew 27:5) in N.T. Septuagint for hanak. 2 Samuel 17:23, only of Ahithophel, the type of Judas (Psalms 55:14, Psalms 55:15). See note on Acts 1:18.
Matthew 27:6
because = since.
Matthew 27:7
bought = purchased with money in the market. In Acts 1:18, the word is not agorazo, as here, but ktaomai = acquired as a possession by purchase. Acts 1:18 refers to quite another transaction. See App-161. There is no “discrepancy” except that which is created by inattention to the Greek words used.
with = out of. Greek. ek. App-104.
field. Greek. agros, not chorion = a small holding, as in Acts 1:18.
to bury strangers in = for (Greek. eis. App-104.) a burying ground (Greek. taphe. Occurs only here) for foreigners.
Matthew 27:9
spoken. Not “written”, either by Jeremiah or Zechariah, but “spoken” by Jeremiah. Greek. to rhethen, not ho gegraptai. See App-161.
by = by means of, or by [the mouth of]. Greek. dia. App-104. Matthew 27:1.
Jeremy = Jeremiah. of = from. Greek. apo. App-104.
children = sons. App-108.
Matthew 27:10
as = according to what. Greek. katha. Occurs only here.
appointed. Greek. suntasso. Occurs only in Matthew (here and Matthew 26:19).
Matthew 27:11
Thou sayest = Thou thy self sayest [it]. A Hebraism.
Matthew 27:12
of = by. Greek. hupo. App-104. Not the same as in verses: Matthew 27:9, Matthew 27:21.
nothing. Note the occasions of the Lord’s silence and speech.
Matthew 27:14
never = not one.
word. Greek. rhema. See note on Mark 9:32.
Matthew 27:15
people = crowd.
would. Greek. thelo. App-102.
Matthew 27:16
Barabbas. Aramaic. See App-94.
Matthew 27:17
will = choose. App-102.
Christ = Messiah. App-98.
Matthew 27:18
knew = was aware. Greek. oida.
for = on account of. Greek. dia.
Matthew 27:19
on = upon. Greek. epi. App-104. Not the same as in Matthew 25:30.
unto. Greek. pros. App-104. Not the same word as in verses: Matthew 27:27, Matthew 27:33; but same as in Matthew 27:62.
I have suffered = I suffered.
a dream. Greek. onar. See note on Matthew 1:20.
because of. Greek. dia.
Matthew 27:20
persuaded. See App-150.
multitude = crowds.
ask = ask for (themselves).
Matthew 27:22
crucified. See App-162.
Matthew 27:23
evil. Greek. kakos. App-128.
cried = kept crying
Matthew 27:24
Was made = arose, or was brewing.
washed. Greek. aponipto. Occurs only here. See App-136.
innocent = guiltless.
of = from. Greek. apo. App-104. Same as in verses: Matthew 27:9, Matthew 27:57. Not the same as in verses: Matthew 27:12, Matthew 27:29, Matthew 27:48.
blood. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6, for murder, as in Matthew 23:35. Deuteronomy 19:12. Psalms 9:12. Hosea 1:4.
Person = [One].
see ye = ye will see. Greek. opsomai. App-133.
Matthew 27:25
on. Greek. epi. App-104. Not the same as verses: Matthew 27:19, Matthew 27:30.
children = offspring. Greek. Plural of teknon. App-108.
Matthew 27:26
scourged. Greek. phragelloo. Occurs only here, and Mark 15:15.
delivered Him = handed Him over.
Matthew 27:27
common hall = Praetorium. In Mark 15:16 it is called the aule, or open courtyard (compare Matthew 26:3). In John 18:28, John 18:33; John 19:9, it is Pilate’s house, within the aule.
unto = against. Greek. epi. App-104. Not the same as in verses: Matthew 27:19, Matthew 27:33, Matthew 27:45, Matthew 19:62.
band. Render “cohort” and omit “of soldiers”. The cohort contained about 600 men.
Matthew 27:28
scarlet = purple.
robe. Greek. chlamus. Occurs only here, and Matthew 27:31.
Matthew 27:29
crown. Greek. Stephanos (used by kings and victors); not diadema, as in Revelation 12:3; Revelation 13:1; Revelation 19:12.
upon. Greek. epi. App-104.
in. Greek. epi. App-104. But all the texts read in (as in verses: Matthew 27:27, Matthew 27:5, Matthew 27:60).
mocked Him: as foretold by Him in Matthew 20:17-19, but they were only ignorantly fulfilling His own word, as well as the Father’s purpose.
Hail. ! Compare Matthew 28:9.
Matthew 27:30
upon = at. Greek. eis. App-104.
smote = kept heating.
on. Greek. eis. Same word as “upon”, Matthew 27:30.
Matthew 27:31
to = for to. Greek. eis (with Inf.) App-104.
Matthew 27:32
him = this [man].
compelled. See note on Matthew 5:41.
Matthew 27:33
unto. Greek. eis. App-104. Not the same word as in verses: Matthew 27:19, Matthew 27:27, Matthew 27:45, Matthew 19:62.
Golgotha. An Aramaic word, from the Hebrew Gulgoleth (see App-94. Judges 9:53. 2 Kings 9:35). Nothing is said about a “green hill”. But an elevation, which we speak of as being a “head”, “shoulder”, or “neck”. The Latin is calvaria = a skull. Hence Eng. Calvary.
Matthew 27:34
They gave Him . . . drink. Note the five occasions on which this was done; and observe the accuracy of what is said, instead of creating “discrepancies”:
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On the way to Golgotha (Mark 15:23 = were offering, Imperfect Tense), He did not drink.
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When they arrived there (Matthew 27:33), He tasted it, but would not drink.
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Later, by the soldiers after He was on the cross (Luke 23:36), probably at their own meal.
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Later still, a proposal made by some and checked by others, but afterward carried out (Matthew 27:48).
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The last about the ninth hour, in response to the Lord’s call (John 19:29).
vinegar. In the first case, it was wine (Greek. oinon) drugged with myrrh (see Mark 15:22, Mark 15:23). 2. In the second case, it was “vinegar (Greek. oxos) mingled with gall” (Greek. chole) (Matthew 27:33). 3. In the third case, it was “sour wine” (Greek. oxos), (Luke 23:36). 4. In the fourth case it was also “sour wine” (Greek. oxoa), (Matthew 27:48, as in Matthew 27:34). 5. In the fifth case it was the same (Greek. oxoa), (John 19:28). These then were the five occasions and the three kinds of drink.
tasted. See notes above. He would not. Greek. thelo.
Matthew 27:35
ported His garments. This fulfilled Psalms 22:18; and marks a fixed point in the series of events, which determines the time of others.
Matthew 27:36
watched = were keeping.
guard over. (Note the Imperf. Tense.)
Matthew 27:37
set up over His head. This is not therefore the inscription written by Pilate and put upon the cross before it left Pilate’s presence (John 19:19); this was brought after the dividing of the garments; and was probably the result of the discussion of Joh 19:21, John 19:22. See App-163.
over. Greek. epano = up over. See note “upon”, Matthew 28:2.
THIS, &c. For these capital letters see App-48.
Matthew 27:38
Then. After the parting of the garments. See App-163.
two thieves = two robbers. Greek. lestia. Therefore not the two “malefactors” (Greek. kakourgoi) of Luke 23:32, who “were led with Him to be put to death”, and came to Calvary and were crucified with Him (Luke 23:33). These two “robbers” were brought later. Note the word “Then” (Matthew 27:38). See App-164.
with = together with: i.e. in conjunction (not association). Greek. sun. App-104.
one on, &c. See App-164.
Matthew 27:39
passed = were passing. Another indication that it was not the Passover day. See App-166.
Matthew 27:40
Thou that, &c. Perverting the Lord’s words (John 2:19). Compare Matthew 6:18.
the Son of God. App-98.
from = off. Greek. apo. App-104. Same as in w. 42, 45, 55, 64.
Matthew 27:41
also the chief priests = the chief priests also.
said = kept saying.
Matthew 27:42
He saved. Note the Alternation here, in the Greek. In Eng. it is an Introversion. j | Others k | He saved j | Himself k | He cannot save.
others. App-124.
cannot = is not (Greek. ou, as in Matthew 27:6) able to.
If he be, &c. The condition is assumed. See App-118. All the texts omit “if”, and read “he is” (in irony).
Matthew 27:43
trusted. See App-150. Quoted from Psalms 22:8.
if He will. The condition assumed, as in Matthew 27:42. Compare Psalms 18:19; Psalms 41:11.
Matthew 27:44
cast . . . teeth = kept reviling Him. Both the robbers reviled; but only one of the malefactors (Luke 23:39, Luke 23:40). See App-164.
Matthew 27:45
the sixth hour. Noon. See App-165.
there was darkness. No human eyes must gaze on the Lord’s last hours.
land. Greek. ge. App-109.
unto = until. See App-165.
the ninth hour. 3pm. See App-165.
Matthew 27:46
about. Greek. peri. App-104. Eli, Eli, lama sabachtnani. The English transliteration of the Greek, which is the Greek transliteration of the Aram, ’eli, ’eli, lamah ’azabhani. The whole expression is Aramaic. See App-94. Words not reported in Luke or John. Quoted from Psalms 22:1. See the notes there. Thus, with the Lord’s last breath He gives Divine authority to the O.T. See App-117. Note the “seven words” from the cross: (1) Luke 23:34; (2) Luke 23:43; (3) John 19:26, John 19:27; (4) Matthew 27:46; (5) John 19:28; (6) John 19:30; (7) Luke 23:46.
Matthew 27:47
Elias. Greek for Elijah. Mistaken by the hearers for the Hebrew (or Aramaic) ’eliy-yah.
Matthew 27:48
vinegar. Greek. oxos. See notes on Matthew 27:34.
gave = was offering.
Matthew 27:49
will come = is coming. Reference to Mai. Matthew 4:5.
Matthew 27:50
ghost = spirit. Greek. pneuma. See App-101.
Matthew 27:51
behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.
the veil. Greek. katapetasma = that which is spread out downward, or that which hangs down. Septuagint for Hebrew. masak, (Exodus 26:37; Exodus 35:12; Exodus 40:5). Occ only here; Mark 15:38. Luke 23:45. Hebrews 6:19; Hebrews 9:3; Hebrews 10:20. Not the same word as in 1 Corinthians 11:15, or as in 2 Corinthians 3:13-16 (Exodus 34:33, &c).
in = into. Greek. eis. Not the same word as in verses: Matthew 27:5, Matthew 27:19, Matthew 27:29, Matthew 5:40, Matthew 5:43, Matthew 5:59, Matthew 5:60.
from the top = from above, as in Luke 1:3. See note there. Greek. anothen. First of thirteen occurrences.
and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton in verses: Matthew 27:51-53.
rent = were rent.
Matthew 27:52
graves = tombs.
arose = were waked. All the texts read “were raised”. Is this the resurrection referred to in Romans 1:3? See notes there. Greek. egersis = awaking rousing up, or arising. Occurs only here. Compare John 12:24. They thus fulfilled the Lord’s word in John 5:25.
Matthew 27:53
out of. Greek. ek.
after. Gr. meta. App-104.
resurrection = arising He rose: they were raised.
the holy city. See note on Matthew 4:5.
appeared: privately. Greek. emphanizo. See App-106.
Matthew 27:54
saw = having seen.
Matthew 27:55
beholding. Greek. theoreo. App-133.
afar off = from (Greek. apo. App-104.) afar.
which = who: i.e. such as.
Galilee. App-169.
Matthew 27:56
which. Denoting a class: referring to Matthew 27:55.
Zebedee’s. See note on Matthew 4:21.
Matthew 27:57
also himself = himself also.
was, &c. = had been discipled to Jesus.
Matthew 27:58
He = This [man]. The Lord was thus buried by two secret disciples. See John 19:38, John 19:39. Compare Mark 15:42, Mark 15:43. Luke 23:50-53.
delivered = given up. Compare Matthew 18:25-34.
Matthew 27:60
laid it. See note on Isaiah 53:9.
new = Greek. kainos. See note on Matthew 9:17; Matthew 26:28, Matthew 26:29. Here = not newly hewn, but fresh; i.e. unused and as yet undefiled by any dead body.
tomb = monument. Greek. mnemeion.
sepulchre = tomb, as above. Not the same word as in Matthew 27:61.
departed. When Joseph rolled the stone against the door he departed; when the angel rolled it away, he “sat upon it” (Matthew 28:2).
Matthew 27:61
Mary . . . Mary. See App-100.
sepulchre. Greek. taphos = burying-place. Not the same -word as in Matthew 27:60.
Matthew 27:62
that followed. This was the “high Sabbath” of John 19:42, not the weekly Sabbath of Mat 28:1. See App-156.
the day of the preparation. See App-156 and App-166.
Matthew 27:63
Sir. See App-98.
remember = [have been] reminded.
deceiver = impostor.
After three days. They had heard the Lord say this in Matthew 12:39, Matthew 12:40. This is how they understood the “three days and three nights”. See App-144 and App-166,; compare “after” in Matthew 27:53.
Matthew 27:64
made sure = secured.
the third day. See App-148.
the dead. See App-139.
error = deception.
the first. They do not say what the first was. It may be the crucifixion itself.
Matthew 27:65
Ye have. Or, Ye may have.
a watch = a guard: the word being a transliteration of the Latin custodia, consisting of four soldiers (Acts 12:4). See note there. Greek. koustodia. Occurs only in Matthew (here, and in Matthew 28:11).
can = know [how]. Greek. oida. App-132.
Matthew 27:66
and setting a watch = with (Greek. meta, as in verses: Matthew 27:34, Matthew 27:41, Matthew 27:54. Not as in verses: Matthew 27:7, Matthew 27:38) the watch: i.e. in the presence of the watch, leaving them to keep guard.