Big Idea: Although Jesus is innocent of all charges and is truly the king of the Jews, he is delivered to be crucified by Pilate, the Roman governor, at the instigation of the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem, aided by Judas.

Understanding the Text

Following Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin, the chief priests and elders bring him to Pilate, the governor (27:1–2). Matthew narrates the self-inflicted death of Judas, emphasizing Judas’s belief in the innocence of Jesus, a theme that continues through this chapter (27:4, 19; see 27:24; cf. 12:7). In the account about Judas, Matthew also highlights the way in which Jesus’ story fulfills Scripture (27:9–10, one of Matthew’s ten fulfillment quotations). Continuing with the trial before Pilate (27:11–26), Matthew emphasizes Jesus’ kingly identity…