PREPARING FOR THE SERMON

June 15, 2025

Matthew 27:27-44

Context:

            Following the trial before Pilate, Jesus is taken first to be beaten and mocked before being led to His crucifixion. The current section focuses on the depths of treatment from various groups. That the crucifixion was carried out by Romans with the full consent and approval of not only the Pharisees, Sadducees, and elders but also the general populace is evident. The section begins and ends with people reviling Jesus. The next section entails the death of Jesus.

 

Structure:

27:27-31 kneeling before Him, they mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” (v 29)

27:32-44

  • those who passed by derided Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself!” (vv 39-40)
  • The chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked Him, saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself.” (v 41)
  • The robbers who were crucified with Him also reviled Him in the same way. (v 44)

 

Key Ideas: Jesus’s humility, disbelief, Lordship

 

Some things to think about:

  • In what way should people expect a Savior to save? Was it reasonable for them to say “save Yourself?”