The Death of Jesus

Matthew 27:26 Scourging

Scourging was a violent and often deadly punishment.

Scourging was different from whipping in that scourging was a whip with many thongs which all had hard, sharp material tied into them to cause damage.

Scourging would rip flesh out of your back, and sometimes would pull organs out. It was extremely brutal

Matthew 27:27-30 The King of the Jews

In these verses Jesus is mocked for His title of King of the Jews

Purple, or scarlet clothing signified power and wealth in these times as those were rare and expensive threads

The crown of thorns and reed signified a royal crown and scepter, held by rulers.

They mocked His power just as people today mock His power.

Matthew 27:31-34 Place of a Skull

After the scourging, the beating, and the mockery, Jesus was led to Golgotha.

Golgotha is a hill that remarkably resembles a skull

The Romans offered Jesus sour wine but He refused.

Matthew 27:35-38 Crucifixion

Crucifixion was and is a terrible way to die

Explain the manner of death from crucifixion

As He was crucified His tormentors sat around Him, as “dogs compassed around me” and divided His garments amongst themselves

The two infamous thieves are crucified beside Jesus

Matthew 27:39-44 The Mockery of Jesus Continues

We’ve all heard the arguments against God, Jesus, and Christianity:

“If God is so powerful He’ll show Himself to me right now”

“If God is so good why doesn’t He stop all the evil in the world”

These arguments are either made from ignorance, which can be fixed, or made from a stance that will refuse to budge. Those encompassing Jesus represent both of these as we will see in a moment

Matthew 27:45-50 My God My God Why Have You Forsaken Me?

Many believe Jesus was in despair at this point, but I believe He was drawing the Jews’ attention to the 22nd Psalm just before His death

The 22nd Psalm is a prophecy of the death of the Messiah, and all the Jews surround Jesus would know this

This would bring to light the complete symmetry between the Old Testament prophecy and the events unfolding in front of them

Matthew 27:51-54 The Death of Jesus and the Salvation of His Executioners

The events occuring immediately after the death of Jesus signify many things, foremost being the majesty of Jesus, the impact of the death of Jesus on the world, and the significance of Jesus as our high priest, or intermediary

Jesus died for all to have salvation, even those who crucified Him.