Matthew 27:1-31 - The Roman Trials

The Final Hours and Pontius Pilate

If you have your Bibles, go ahead and turn with me to Matthew 27. If you have been with us for any number of weeks, you know we are in a long-haul series through the Gospel of Matthew. We have broken it up into mini-series, and we are currently in the final mini-series called “The Last Days,” dealing with this final week in the earthly life of Jesus. As you turn to Matthew 27, we are really talking not simply about the final days of the life of Christ, but by the time we reach chapter 27, we are in the final hours.

Last week, we covered the first three of the six trials that Jesus endured. Those first three were the religious trials. This week, we are covering the three Roman trials. The accusation leveled against Jesus coming out of the religious trials was blasphemy, which, according to a Jewish audience, was worthy of sentencing Him to death. But there was one small problem: the Jewish population was occupied and overseen by the Roman government, and under Roman law, blasphemy was not punishable by death.

So while the religious trials were about making the accusation of blasphemy stick among the Jews, by the time they brought Jesus to the three Roman trials, they had to morph the charges. They charged Him not simply with blasphemy, but with insurrection and treason against Rome.

The key figure in these Roman trials is a man whose name you are likely familiar with: Pontius Pilate. Pilate was the Roman governor in Judea. He is mentioned throughout history, not just in the Gospel accounts, but in many historical writings from the early first century. And whenever he is mentioned, it is never good. He was not a good man whatsoever. If you are familiar with the Apostles’ Creed, he is even named in that ancient confession: “I believe in God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord… crucified under Pontius Pilate.” This man’s name is inextricably tied to the death of Jesus. From a Roman legal standpoint, he was the authority who signed the execution order and delivered Jesus over to be crucified.

It is worth noting that there seems to be a difference between how the Bible presents Pontius Pilate and how secular history records him. When you read the biblical account, it almost looks like Pilate was a soft-handed, vacillating, appeasing, weak leader who did not know what to do with Jesus. But that biblical snapshot does not immediately seem to match the historical record of who Pilate was—which means there was a lot happening behind the scenes.

Historically, you did not become a Roman governor as a twenty-year-old looking for a day job. You were appointed to that position because of a seasoned, successful, and highly regarded military career. Pilate was a disciplined, decisive soldier. But he was also exceedingly cruel, borderline tyrannical, and a vicious anti-Semite. He hated the Jewish people. Any chance he had to squash a Jewish revolt or deliberately instigate one, he took it.

For example, at one point, Pilate brought military shields bearing the image of Emperor Tiberius into Jerusalem. Most Roman leaders knew that you did not bring graven images into the Holy City if you wanted peace, because the Jewish people would revolt. When the Jews protested, Pilate surrounded the crowd with soldiers holding drawn swords, ready to slaughter everyone who opposed Caesar’s image in the city. He was like that nagging bully down the street, constantly picking a fight with the Jewish people.

However, at this precise moment in history, Pilate was under investigation by Rome for his gratuitous instigation of violence and the misuse of funds. He was under a microscope. The last thing Pilate could afford was another Jewish uprising. He hated the Jews and took no joy in appeasing a Jewish mob, yet he could not afford another black mark on his record with Rome. That backstory puts Pilate between a rock and a hard place.

Trial One: Jesus Before Pilate

With that context in mind, it is early Friday morning, and Pilate is awakened by a mob at his door. Here comes the Jewish Sanhedrin with Jesus in custody.

When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death. And they bound Him, led Him away, and delivered Him over to Pontius Pilate the governor.

Matthew 27:1-2 (NASB)

Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death; and they bound Him, and led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate the governor.

Mark’s Gospel tells us this was early in the morning—probably around 7:00 AM. The first of the three Roman trials begins, interrupting Pilate’s breakfast on the morning Jesus would be crucified. John’s Gospel adds fascinating detail to this scene.

Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium. It was early. They themselves did not enter the Praetorium, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover.

John 18:28 (NASB)

Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.

The Praetorium was connected to the Antonia Fortress on the northern side of the Temple Mount—a Roman stronghold garrisoned with troops. When Jewish festivals brought thousands of pilgrims into the city, Pilate would leave his coastal residence in Caesarea Maritima and stay at the Praetorium in Jerusalem with an overwhelming show of military force to quell any potential rebellion.

Notice the stunning irony: the Jewish leaders refused to step inside the courtyard of the Gentile Praetorium because they did not want to become ceremonially unclean for the Passover! Think about that. These men had just orchestrated a false arrest of an innocent man. They brought forward lying witnesses—knowing full well that under Jewish law, a false witness was supposed to receive the very punishment intended for the accused. They held three illegal night trials, beat an innocent man for hours, and plotted His murder. Yet they refused to cross a Roman threshold so they would not defile themselves for church! The stench of hypocrisy is breathtaking.

Because they would not enter, Pilate went outside to meet them. In John’s account, Pilate basically said, “If this man is guilty, take Him and judge Him according to your own law. Why did you wake me up?” But they answered, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.” In that moment, Pilate realized this was not a minor annoyance. This had turned dangerous. The mob wanted blood, and if he did not handle it carefully, a full-scale riot could erupt.

So Pilate brought Jesus inside the Praetorium to interrogate Him privately.

Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.”

Matthew 27:11 (NASB)

Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ And Jesus said to him, ‘[It is as] you say.’

Notice the change in the accusation. Back in chapter 26, the high priest asked, “Are you the Christ, the Son of God?” That was a theological question.

Matthew 26:63 (NASB)

But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, ‘I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.’

Pilate did not care if Jesus claimed to be the Messiah. But Pilate cared deeply if Jesus claimed to be a king, because a rival king was an act of treason against Caesar.

John 18 records more of this private conversation. Jesus told Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But My kingdom is not from the world.” Pilate said, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” Pilate famously retorted, “What is truth?”

John 18:36-38 (NASB)

Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.’ Therefore Pilate said to Him, ‘So You are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say [correctly] that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’ Pilate said to Him, ‘What is truth?’ And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, ’I find no guilt in Him.

Pilate was not asking an earnest philosophical question. It was a cynical sneer. He blew off the comment, walked back out to the Jewish leaders, and declared, “I find no guilt in this man.”

But when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer. Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” But He gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Matthew 27:12-14 (NASB)

And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. Then Pilate said to Him, ‘Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?’ And He did not answer him with regard to even a [single] charge, so the governor was quite amazed.

Pilate was used to desperate criminals begging for their lives. Yet here stood an innocent man who remained completely silent, knowing full well that Pilate had the legal power of life and death. In John’s account, when Pilate reminded Jesus of his authority, Jesus calmly told him, “You would have no authority over Me at all unless it had been given you from above.”

Trial Two: Jesus Before Herod Antipas

Pilate found himself in a complete lose-lose situation. If he released Jesus, the mob would riot, and Rome would discipline him. If he executed an innocent man, he was appeasing people he despised. So, like a seasoned politician, Pilate looked for a loophole.

In Luke 23, the religious leaders continued to accuse Jesus, shouting that He stirred up the people all over Judea, starting from Galilee. When Pilate heard the word Galilee, his ears perked up. Galilee was outside his jurisdiction—it belonged to Herod Antipas. And Herod just happened to be in Jerusalem for the Passover.

And when he learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time.

Luke 23:5-7 (NASB)

But they kept on insisting, saying, ‘He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as this place.’ When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was in Jerusalem at that time.

Pilate was not looking to share power; he was looking for an out.

Around 8:00 AM, the second Roman trial began before Herod Antipas. This Herod came from a dark dynasty. His father was the Herod who slaughtered the male infants in Bethlehem after Jesus was born. This Herod Antipas was the man who had John the Baptist beheaded after a drunken party. Herod had no interest in truth or righteousness. John the Baptist had confronted him for marrying his brother’s wife, and Herod killed him for it.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had long desired to see Him, because he had heard about Him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by Him. So he questioned Him at some length, but Jesus made no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing Him. And Herod with his soldiers treated Him with contempt and mocked Him. Then, arraying Him in splendid clothing, he sent Him back to Pilate.

Luke 23:8-11 (NASB)

Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. And he questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, accusing Him vehemently. And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate.

Herod treated Jesus like a carnival act, hoping for a magic trick. When the Lord of Glory refused to speak, Herod and his soldiers mocked Him, threw a royal robe over His bruised shoulders, and sent Him right back to Pilate. Pilate’s loophole failed.

Trial Three: Pilate, Barabbas, and the Mob

By approximately 9:00 AM, Jesus was back before Pilate for the third Roman trial. As Pilate sat on the judgment seat, his wife sent him an urgent message: “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much today in a dream because of Him.” Even a pagan woman recognized Jesus’ innocence and warned her husband.

Desperate to resolve the situation without executing Jesus, Pilate devised a plan using a Passover tradition.

Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”

Matthew 27:15-17 (NASB)

Now at [the] feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people [any] one prisoner whom they wanted. At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?’

What do we know about Barabbas? Across the four Gospels, he is described as a notorious prisoner, a rebel, an insurrectionist, and a murderer. He was essentially a first-century terrorist. He may have been linked to the Sicarii, the Jewish zealots who carried daggers under their cloaks to assassinate Romans and Jewish collaborators in crowded marketplaces.

Pilate presented what he thought was an obvious choice. On one side stood a violent, cold-blooded murderer who posed an active physical threat to the community. On the other side stood Jesus, a peaceful teacher from Galilee. Pilate knew the chief priests had delivered Jesus out of sheer envy, and he assumed the crowd would never choose a murderer over an innocent man.

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let Him be crucified!” And he said, “Why? What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let Him be crucified!”

Matthew 27:18-23 (NASB)

For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him [a message], saying, ‘Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.’ But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. But the governor said to them, ‘Which of the two do you want me to release for you?’ And they said, ‘Barabbas.’ Pilate said to them, ‘Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?’ They all said, ‘Crucify Him!’ And he said, ‘Why, what evil has He done?’ But they kept shouting all the more, saying, ‘Crucify Him!’

Years ago, Chuck Swindoll wrote a wonderful book titled The Darkness and the Dawn, and he reflects on what Barabbas must have experienced that morning. Barabbas was likely locked in a dungeon deep inside the Antonia Fortress, sitting on death row, waiting for his execution. There were three crosses prepared for that morning. Barabbas knew one of them was meant for him.

Sitting in the dark, Barabbas could hear the distant roar of the mob. First, he heard them shouting his name: “Barabbas! Barabbas!” Then, he heard the chilling cry: “Crucify him! Crucify him!” He must have thought his executioners were coming. The iron keys rattled in the lock, the cell door swung open, and soldiers marched him out. But instead of being nailed to a piece of wood, he was brought before Pilate and told, “You are free to go. Another man is taking your cross.”

Barabbas experienced an astonishing picture of grace: an innocent Man literally took his place on death row, while the guilty criminal walked free.

So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered Him to be crucified.

Matthew 27:24-26 (NASB)

When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see [to that] yourselves.’ And all the people said, ‘His blood shall be on us and on our children!’ Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

Some throughout church history have twisted verse 25 to justify anti-Semitism, which is a horrific distortion of Scripture. God is not finished with the Jewish people. But historically and prophetically, within just a few decades, Jerusalem would fall to the Romans in AD 70, the temple would be destroyed, and the gospel would go forth powerfully to the Gentiles, beginning in Acts 2.

The Scourging and the Way of Sorrows

Matthew 27:26 states simply that Pilate “having scourged Jesus, delivered Him to be crucified.” That phrase is brief, but the reality was horrific. Roman scourging was known as the “half-death.” The Romans were master executioners. They would strip a prisoner, tie him to a post, and strike him repeatedly with a whip called a flagrum or cat-of-nine-tails—leather straps embedded with jagged pieces of bone, iron, and lead.

The scourging would tear through skin, muscle, and sinew, bringing the victim to the brink of death. Many prisoners died from scourging alone. After enduring this torture, Jesus was forced to walk the Via Dolorosa—the Way of Sorrows—stumbling toward Golgotha to be nailed to a cross.

Not a Martyr, But the Sovereign Savior

When we read this narrative, it is tempting to view Jesus merely as a tragic martyr—a good religious teacher caught in the gears of corrupt politics. But calling Jesus a martyr completely misses the point.

Jesus was not a martyr; He is the Savior of the world. He was not an innocent victim outmaneuvered by corrupt politicians or overpowered by a mob. What happened that Friday morning took place under the absolute sovereignty and predetermined plan of Almighty God.

Listen to how the Apostle Peter explained it in the very first Christian sermon on the Day of Pentecost:

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.”

Acts 2:22-23 (NASB)

’Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know– this [Man], delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put [Him] to death.

Every strike, every trial, and every step toward the cross was fulfilled according to the prophetic Scriptures. Hundreds of years before that morning, the prophet Isaiah wrote of this exact moment:

I gave My back to those who strike, and My cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not My face from disgrace and spitting.

Isaiah 50:6 (NASB)

I gave My back to those who strike [Me], And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting.

As many were astonished at you—His appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and His form beyond that of the children of mankind.

Isaiah 52:14 (NASB)

Just as many were astonished at you, [My people], So His appearance was marred more than any man And His form more than the sons of men.

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth… Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush Him; He has put Him to grief; when His soul makes an offering for guilt…

Isaiah 53:4-10 (NASB)

Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being [fell] upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke [was due]? His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting [Him] to grief; If He would render Himself [as] a guilt offering, He will see [His] offspring, He will prolong [His] days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” When Jesus drank that cup, He drank the full cup of God’s wrath against our sin down to the dregs. The cross was ours. The punishment belonged to us. But the Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.

John 3:16-17 (NASB)

’For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. ’For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

Beholding Our Savior

We do not have human categories for this kind of love. What is our response to such a Savior? The author of Hebrews says it far better than I ever could:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NASB)

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

There are passages in the Bible that challenge us intellectually, and then there are passages where we simply must stop and behold the beauty of Jesus Christ. As the old hymn says:

Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Let us fix our eyes on Him this week. Consider Him who endured the cross and despised its shame on our behalf, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Let’s pray together.

Father in heaven, we are humbled by the finished work of Jesus Christ. We thank You for the suffering He endured on our behalf—the false accusations, the mockery, the scourging, and the cross. We thank You that He willingly drank the cup of Your wrath so that it would bypass us entirely. All of us, like sheep, have gone astray; each of us has turned to our own way. But You caused the iniquity of us all to fall upon Him. Thank You for our beautiful Savior, Jesus Christ. May our hearts find peace, joy, and eternal rest in Him alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.