Gospel of Matthew
Judas, Herod and Pilate
Chapter 27: 1 to 14
The Sanhedrin, composed of the elders of the people, the chief priests and the scribes, met at sunrise to officially confirm the death sentence that they had illegally given to Jesus Christ, for the crime of blasphemy (Mark 15:1, Luke 22:66-71). They now had to obtain the sanction of the Roman governor Pilate, who must have the last word.
The suicide of Judas
When Judas knew that Jesus had been condemned to death, he was seized with remorse and tried to return the thirty pieces of silver, received as the price of his treachery, to the religious leaders as if in that way he could undo the deal and exempt himself of his fault.
However, the leaders did not take into account the statement of Judas that Jesus was innocent, nor accepted the return, retorting that they had nothing to do with it, and the responsibility was his. With the declaration of Judas, their guilt deepened.
Judas, in despair, threw the money (the price of a slave) in the temple, went out, and hanged himself. The chiefs of the temple determined that to be the price of blood, so the money could not be placed in the sanctuary. The money was then used in the purchase of a plot of land called Potter's Field (perhaps where they got clay) and assigned it to be the cemetery for foreigners.
This land became known as Field of Blood: the price was the death of Christ, but it was also where Judas killed himself shedding his own blood (Acts 1:19).
The saying of "Jeremiah the prophet" mentioned in verses 9 and 10 combines the prophecy found in Zechariah 11:13 to Jeremiah 18:18 and 32:6 to 9. The thirty pieces of silver are mentioned in Zechariah, but only Jeremiah is mentioned by Matthew, for it was the name of the roll of prophecies then used in the temple and in the synagogues.
The initial judgment of Pilate
Having first abused (illegally) the Lord Jesus (Mark 14:65, Luke 22: 63-65), the chief priests and the elders of the people tied Him up and led Him to the governor Pilate.
John (Chapter 18: 28-38) tells us that dawn was breaking, and to avoid contamination in the house of a Gentile, they did not enter the Praetorium (the place of hearings) but Pilate came out to speak with them, asking what charges they made against that Man.
The religious leaders faced a great difficulty: Roman law did not recognize the crime of blasphemy, for which they had condemned the Lord Jesus, so they had to find some other crime that took the death penalty with which He could be charged.
Luke (chapter 23:2) reveals that they accused Him of three political offenses: sedition, prohibiting people to pay taxes to Caesar, and declaring Himself the king Messiah.
Pilate went back into the Praetorium, where the Lord was, and asked Him if He was the king of the Jews. John (chapter 18:34) explains that He did not give a direct answer right away, but asked Pilate if this question was his, or if he had heard about Him from others: meaning, whether it was a sincere question by Pilate, or a trap by the Sanhedrin.
Pilate asked sardonically “Am I a Jew?” showing his contempt for that people. He added that His own nation and the chief priests had delivered Him, and asked what He had done (for that to happen).
The Lord Jesus said that His kingdom was not of this world, for if it were, his officers would have fought that the Jews might not take Him. He probably was referring to the angels that He had mentioned before (chapter 26:56), because His disciples were few and unable to offer any resistance to the strong military contingent that had caught Him in the Garden of Olives. His kingdom was not of this world (nor is it now, but one day it will be, a reality always to remember).
Pilate asked ??the ironic question: "Are You a king then?" The Lord answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." (John 18: 35-37).
This response confused Pilate: what truth would that be? Surely this man was not the violent revolutionary the Jews accused Him of being, and spoke of a "truth" that he did not know nor was interested in, so he did not wait for an answer but brusquely left again and declared "I find no fault in Him at all” to the Jewish leaders.
The chief priests and the elders of the people accused Him of many things, including that he was subverting the people in all Judea by His teaching, beginning from Galilee and had come as far as Jerusalem (Luke 23:5). However, He kept silent even when Pilate encouraged Him to defend Himself, so that the governor was very impressed.
The trial by Herod Antipas, the "Tetrarch"
Luke (chapter 23: 6-12) tells us that Pilate, at this point, asked if the accused was a Galilean, on confirmation decided to send him to Herod, for it was his jurisdiction, and Herod was in Jerusalem at the time. Pilate doubtless thought it would be a good way out for him, since he could not attach a crime worthy of death on the prisoner as the Jews wanted.
Herod naturally would not be pleased if Pilate interfered in matters within his jurisdiction, and this would be an opportunity for Pilate, the Roman procurator of Judea, to please the king, and get rid of this complicated case.
Herod Antipas had beheaded John the Baptist (Chapter 14:1-12.), and then heard a lot about the Lord Jesus, being perplexed because some were saying that John had risen from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, and still others, that one of the prophets of old had returned to life (Luke 9: 7-9).
The Lord Jesus himself had said to some Pharisees who approached Him to advise Him to flee because Herod wanted to kill him: "Go, tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.' Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.” (Luke 13:32,33). Herod was, therefore, glad finally to be able to have before him this famous Man, and see what He could do, some supernatural miracle, or something. It would be like watching a magic show, very entertaining.
The appearance of Jesus, bound and already showing signs of mistreatment at the hands of the Jews would not have been very encouraging. Even so, Herod questioned him with many questions, but He answered him not a word. He kept full dignity before this Idumean tyrant oppressor of His people, who took the place which, by right of succession, was legally His.
The chief priests and the scribes were there, vehemently accusing him, like the barking of furious dogs. Then Herod and the soldiers mocked Him, treating Him as a worthless person. Then they dressed Him with a splendid robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.
Herod and Pilate, who were enemies, became friends that day. The reason is not told to us. Undoubtedly, however, Herod was pleased with the "courtesy" of Pilate in sending him this famous prison, thus respecting his position, and Pilate felt honoured by Herod giving him the last word in this so important case.
R David Jones
1 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death.
2 And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4 saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." And they said, "What is that to us? You see to it!".
5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
6 But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, "It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood."
7 And they consulted together and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "AND THEY TOOK THE THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, THE VALUE OF HIM WHO WAS PRICED, whom they of the children of Israel priced,
Mat 27:10 AND GAVE THEM FOR THE POTTER'S FIELD, AS THE LORD DIRECTED ME."
Mat 27:11 Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" Jesus said to him, "It is as you say."
12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.
13 Then Pilate said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?"
Mat 27:14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
Matthew chapter 27, verses 1 to 14
6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean.
7 And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him.
9 Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing.
10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him.
11 Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.
12 That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.
Luke chapter 23, verses 6 to 12