Matthew 27:32-56
Q.1. Why was Simon made to carry the Cross? Did Jesus take the wine they offered? What do you make of disposal of His gown? What was His crime? – (Mt.27:32-37)
We learn from the New Testament that Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus (Mk.13:21). Rufus was commended by Paul in Romans 16:13. Simon came from Cyrene in Northern Africa. Cyreneans were again present on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:10). We are told that they joined the Christians from Cyprus to spread the Gospel to non-Jews (Acts 11:20). According to John, Jesus carried the cross most of the way (Jn.19:17), and Simon was made to carry the heavy Cross by force (Lk.23:26). The place of crucifixion was called Golgotha, signifying that the hill looked like a skull (Mt.27:33). Jesus was unwilling to take the stupefying drink of wine and gall. He would drink the cup of death in full for us (Mt.27:34). The soldiers callously fulfilled the Scriptures in Psalm 22:18 by casting lots for His garments (Mt.27:35-36). Jesus was not controlling their actions. Pilate placed a sign with the charge against Jesus – This is Jesus, the King of the Jews (Mt.27:37). It was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. John told us that the chief priest disputed with Pilate about the wording. However, Pilate stubbornly refused to change what he knew was the real claim of Jesus, and the reason for His rejection (Jn.19-19-22).
Q.2. With whom was Jesus crucified? What was the ultimate insult by the spectators? Why was Christ’s suffering shrouded in darkness? What was His greatest suffering? – (Mt.27:38-46)
Isaiah foretold – … He poured out Himself to death and was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He bore the sins of many and interceded for the transgressors (Isa.53:12). This remarkable prophecy came to pass when Jesus was crucified between two robbers. He promised one a home in Paradise (Mt.27:38 c.f. Lk.23:33-34, 43). Passers-by dealt Him the ultimate insult, by claiming that they would believe in Him if He came down from the Cross (Mt.27:39-42). Little did they realize that, if He had come down, sinners would have no sin-bearer or substitute to atone for their sins. They saw His claim to be the Son of God as baseless, and that His death was evidence that the Father did not delight in Him (Mt.27:43). The opposite was true. As the end drew near, His greatest suffering was hidden from the view of spectators, from midday onwards, as – from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour (Mt.27:45). Jesus experienced shocking mistreatment, the agony of the cross, and the insults from those for whom He bled and died. However, His greatest suffering came when He was alienated from His Father for the one and only time in time and eternity, as – He cried out with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani? That is – My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? (Mt.27:46).
Q.3. What did the crowd make of His utterance? How did Jesus die? What miracles attended His death? Which disciples did not forsake Him? – (Mt.27:47-56)
Pilate had identified Jesus as the King of the Jews in the Roman, Hebrew, and Greek languages (Jn.19:20). Other language groups attended the Jewish festivals (as occurred at Pentecost – c.f. Acts 2:5-11). Jesus would have read the Scriptures in Hebrew, but generally spoke Aramaic. It is possible that some of the crowd misunderstood the cry – Eloi and thought – This man is calling for Elijah (Mt.27:47 c.f. Mal.4:5). However, it is more likely that they were mocking Him (Mt.27:49). Jesus had claimed – No one has taken My life away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative … (Jn.10:18). Accordingly – Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit (Mt.27:50). A thick curtain separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. This could only be entered once a year by the High Priest, but not without blood (c.f. Heb.9:3-7). This veil was torn in two from top to bottom (Mt.27:51). Jesus’ death was accompanied by some dramatic signs. There was an earthquake, and a number of saints were resurrected temporarily and appeared to many (Mt.27:51-53). These signs made a significant impact. It was recorded – the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Mt.27:54). Though Jesus died very much alone, some faithful women and the apostle John were with Him in His death – 55 Many women were there looking on from a distance. These had followed Jesus from Galilee while ministering to Him. 56 Among them was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee (Mt.27:55-56 c.f. Jn.19:25-27).