VV.19-21 - “Jesus for Barabbas”
In verse 19, Pilate’s wife strangely reveals that she has had dreams concerning Jesus. There are many theories and legends concerning Pilate’s wife. The Eastern Orthodox Catholic church tradition even “sainted” her as Saint Procula. There are some historical and theological assumptions made that Pilate’s wife was named Procula. However, this information seemed to be speculation at best. There is also no evidence of her being Jewish. Perhaps the farthest one could go is that throughout scripture, certain non-Jewish women were noted and blessed by God. Examples of this would include Hagar, Rahab, Ruth, and possibly Pilate’s wife.
Furthermore, Luke records that Pilate sent Jesus to Herod. In Luke 23:6-12, Herod sought to have Jesus perform a miracle for him. Strangely, Pilate and Herod became friends after this. Is it possible that they came together in an agreement that Jesus was not guilty? This does not let them off, however; because they allowed an innocent man to be put to death.
In verses 20 and 21, the chief priests and elders were scheming the whole time for Jesus’s crucifixion. There was no debate or discussion. Their mind was already made up. They would have Barabbas released and Jesus executed. They had no desire to speak with Jesus any longer. They were going to strike the rock.

VV.22-26 - “Jesus Condemned to be Crucified”
In verse 22, the Jewish people demanded for Jesus’s crucifixion. In John 18:21, Pilate offered to let the Jews handle Jesus as they wished. However, either the Jews refused to do the dirty work or Pilate did not realize they were seeking execution. Regardless, Jesus had prophesied he would be lifted up. The crucifixion was the fulfillment of John 3:14. Verse 23 records that Pilate still opposed the Jews’ desire to kill him. It makes this all the more tragic in that a pagan governor was able to see Jesus’s innocence, but God’s chosen people could not. Isaiah 53:3 speaks of the Messiah’s suffering and rejection.
In verse 24, Pilate gave in to the demands of the Jewish crowd. In a ceremonious act, he washed his hands to signify the death of Jesus will not be on his account. This causes one to ask the question, could Pilate really free himself from any guilt? In one sense, we would say absolutely not. If Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, he should have never let them execute him. However, scripture seems to agree that Pilate was not the one at fault.
In verse 25, Matthew seems to affirm that transfer of guilt away from Pilate. Instead the Jewish people willingly took the responsibility for his death. Acts 2:22-23, 7:51-52, and 13:27-28 are just a few verses affirming the death of Jesus was on their account. This is staying true to the prophecy in Isaiah 53 that the Messiah would die for the nation of Israel. This is also consistent with the sacrificial system. The person offering the sacrifice would receive the forgiveness. Many who hold to replacement theology will argue that all of humanity is guilty of Jesus’s death. Some also argue that since the Romans actually carried out the crucifixion, this included the rest of the human race. Perhaps looking back we can see the symbolism. However, we don’t want to insert mystery revelation when it was hidden in God. (Let us be thankful that Jesus’s sacrifice was applied to our account as well!)
Verse 26 records the release of Barabbas and Jesus handed over to be whipped and crucified. It is unclear how many times Jesus was whipped. Some speculate it was 39 times because of the commandment in Deuteronomy. However, the scripture does not say for certain. However, it was still the fulfillment of Isaiah 53:5.

VV.27-32 - “The Messiah is Mocked”
The Greek word for “band” is speira. The number was likely some 600 soldiers who took part in the mocking of Jesus. Psalm 22:6-8 is a Messianic prophecy of Christ’s suffering. In verses 28 through 31, the soldiers beat him and teased Jesus for their own amusement. This was likely common practice at the time. Isaiah 52:13-15 described the abuse Jesus would receive. Isaiah 50:6 describes the servant of the Lord and how he willingly will endure mocking and suffering. No man had ever endured such abuse that he did not have to experience. At any point Jesus could have delivered himself. People become desperate under such stress that they would do anything to get relief. However, Jesus endured to be obedient to God the Father.
Verse 32 notes that a man named Simon of Cyrene helped carry Jesus’s cross. This reveals several facts about Jesus’s crucifixion. The beatings Jesus received were likely far more extreme than most. As a result, he could not finish carrying the cross as was customary. Second, Simon is noted most likely because his son Rufus went on to be a part of the early church, mentioned by Paul in Romans.

VV.33-44 - “Christ is Crucified”
Verse 33 records that Jesus was led to Golgotha. This is a transliteration meaning “skull”. The exact hill is not known for certain. However, we can speculate. John described the location as near the city. Could it have been somewhere on Mount Moriah? (The location of Issac’s almost sacrifice and the temple.) However, Hebrews records he was crucified outside of the gate. Therefore, Mount Moriah may not work depending on where the gate was located.
In verse 34, Jesus is offered sour wine with gall. The gall was likely some bitter herbs. There is scientific evidence that mixing herbs into an alcoholic solution did work to dull one’s senses. Jesus refused to take it. This could be so he wasn’t taking the easy way out. Also, it simply could have tasted bad. However, I lean towards Jesus refusing to dull his senses to ease his suffering.
Verse 35 records the fulfillment of Psalm 22:18. Once again, the death of the Messiah was clearly foretold in scripture. However, the Jewish leaders completely overlooked it. In verse 37, it is revealed that a sign was placed above Jesus. This was common practice for crucifixion by placing a sign explaining the person’s crime. Above Jesus was written “The King of the Jews”. John 19 records that the Jewish leaders strongly protested this. However, Pilate refused to place anything else on his sign.
Verse 38 records that Jesus was crucified between two thieves, fulfilling Isaiah 53:12. As Jesus hung on the cross, slowly dying, he was mocked by those who passed by. Verses 39-43 contain the insults thrown at Jesus. The tragedy was that Jesus was in fact proving he was the Messiah by remaining on the cross. It would not have mattered even if he did come down from the cross. The Jewish leaders would have accused him of being demon possessed. There was no changing the minds of the people. Their last insult in verse 43 references Jeremiah 17:7.
Verse 44 records that even the thieves insulted him. However, Luke 23:39-43 records the change of heart of the one man. As he hung there suffering, you can picture him first mocking Jesus and then seeing Jesus’s resolve to bear his punishment, he realized he truly had to be the Messiah. Jesus’s death did not disprove he was the Christ, it was the clear sign that he was truly the Son of God!