Scripture Reading: Matthew 27 | Sabbath: October 19, 2024
Memory Verse: Matthew 27:25
Matthew 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
Weekly Proverb: Proverbs 28:27
Proverbs 28:27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
Introduction: Was Jesus an innocent man? We need to question the eyewitnesses to his crucifixion. What do his accusers say?

1. Most people want justice and are willing to call the police on a violent criminal. Was Jesus a violent criminal? Judas, who sold Him to the priests, called Him what? Matthew 27:3, 4.
Matthew 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
Matthew 27:4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
2. When Judas saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind. Why didn’t the priests let Jesus go after Judas called Him innocent? Did they disagree with Judas? Were they looking for justice? v 4.
Matthew 27:4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
3. Jesus was a very popular miracle worker. All of Jerusalem and Judea would have known his works. If He had committed any sin, they would have known that too. What does Pilate’s wife call Him? v 19.
Matthew 27:19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
4. Pilate had examined Jesus and witnessed the behavior of the priests and the crowd. He knew they did not have a legitimate legal reason to crucify Him. What title did this government official give Him? Matthew 27:22, 23, 37, John 19:19.
Matthew 27:22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
Matthew 27:23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
Matthew 27:23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
Matthew 27:37 And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews.
John 19:19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was Jesus Of Nazareth The King Of The Jews.
5. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and chief priests followed Jesus for years. They would have seen His righteous deeds. While He is being crucified, do they testify of His saving power? Matthew 27:41, 42.
Matthew 27:41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
Matthew 27:42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
6. They would have heard His teachings and understood his doctrine. They had previously accused Him of being in league with Beelzebub. Did they really believe that? Where did they say His trust was? v 43.
Matthew 27:43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
7. The power of God was displayed in Jesus’s life, and many were convinced that He was the Messiah. The power of God did not leave Him on the cross. His death was so spectacular that one witness proclaims what? v 50-54.
Matthew 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
Matthew 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
Matthew 27:53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Matthew 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
8. A guilty man is responsible for his actions and for his own execution. The death of an innocent man is the responsibility of he who kills him. How does Pilate testify that Jesus is innocent and that he is not responsible for the death of a righteous man? Matthew 27:24.
Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
9. Since everyone knows Jesus is innocent, who accepts responsibility for shedding His innocent blood? Matthew 27:25.
Matthew 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
10. After Jesus died and was buried, the priests admit to an error. What error? They don’t explain exactly. If they had executed a guilty man, why would they admit to any error? Matthew 27:64.
Matthew 27:64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
Conclusion: A trial needs witnesses, lawyers, and a judge. The people of Judah, scribes and Pharisees, and priests were the witnesses. The Pharisees were the lawyers. Pilate was the judge. The testimony of them all proves that Jesus Christ was a righteous man.