Matthew Chapter 27 brings us to the death and burial of Jesus. In Matthew Ch26, Jesus gave the cup of the covenant, prayed in Gethsemane, was betrayed by Judas, and denied by Peter. Now in Matthew 27, the innocent King is condemned, mocked, crucified, and buried.

The chapter begins with Judas regretting his betrayal. He returns the silver, but his sorrow does not lead to true repentance and faith. That is a warning. Guilt alone does not save. Only grace in Christ can restore the sinner.

Jesus then stands before Pilate. The leaders accuse Him, but Jesus remains mostly silent. Pilate knows they delivered Him up out of envy, yet he gives in to the crowd. Barabbas, a guilty prisoner, is released, and Jesus is condemned. This is a clear picture of substitution: the guilty goes free while the innocent One is handed over.

From a Christian Reformed lens, this shows the heart of the Gospel. Christ does not die because He deserves judgment. He dies in the place of His people. Human evil is real, but God’s sovereign plan is not failing. The cross is not an accident. It is redemption being accomplished.

The soldiers mock Jesus with a scarlet robe, a crown of thorns, and a reed. They kneel before Him in cruel mockery, calling Him King of the Jews. Yet their mockery speaks more truth than they know. Jesus really is King, but His throne is the cross.

At Golgotha, Jesus is crucified between two criminals. The crowds mock Him, saying He saved others but cannot save Himself. But that is exactly the point. He will not save Himself because He is saving others. If He comes down from the cross, sinners remain lost. Because He stays, mercy is won.

Darkness covers the land, and Jesus cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He is bearing the judgment His people deserve. Then He dies, and the curtain of the temple is torn from top to bottom. God Himself opens the way into His presence through the death of Christ.

The earth shakes, tombs are opened, and the centurion says, “Truly this was the Son of God.” The crucifixion reveals what unbelief could not see: the condemned Jesus is the Son of God.

Joseph of Arimathea then buries Jesus in a new tomb. The leaders seal the tomb and place a guard there, trying to make sure the story ends. But they cannot stop what God has planned.

Matthew Chapter 27 shows us the innocent King condemned for sinners.

Judas regrets.

Pilate compromises.

Barabbas goes free.

Jesus is mocked.

Christ is crucified.

The curtain is torn.

The Son of God is buried.

The world thinks the King has been defeated.

But the cross is not defeat.

It is the victory of God’s grace.