Jesus Delivered to Pontius Pilate - Matthew 27:2

Matthew the apostle wrote about the religious leaders capturing Jesus and trying Him with false witnesses. He told of Peter denying Jesus three times, and Matthew added, “When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse two of his book, Matthew wrote, “when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate” where we read:

And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

The verse reads, “And when they had bound him, they led him away, ...” Matthew began words, “and when” which means “and at the time and moment” “they had bound him” or “the religious leaders fastened Jesus with chains or bonds”, “they led him away” which means “the religious leaders took, brought and carried Jesus off”. Matthew shared how the “chief priests and elders” “fastened Jesus with chains” and “carried” Him to another place.

The verse continues, “... and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.” Matthew added the words, “and delivered him to” or “gave Jesus over to the power of” “Pontius Pilate” which refers to “the sixth Roman procurator of Judah whose name means of the sea” “the governor” or “the leader, guide, prefect, chief, general, commander and sovereign of the people whose name means armed with a spear”. Matthew shared how the “religious leaders” turned Jesus over to the ruling “governor” whose name was “Pilate”.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we begin to understand the limited ability of the “religious leaders” to put Jesus to death. If they had the power to do so, they would have “killed” Him themselves, but they did not. They needed to turn Him over to the “government” which was overseen by “Pontius Pilate” in their area. All these things were necessary to fulfill scriptures concerning Jesus as He submitted Himself to the authorities whether they were “religious” or “governmental”. All these “powers” were given by God, and none of them would have been in their positions if He did not allow it, and yet, Jesus “yielded” Himself to all of them. Because God desires to “save” people from their “sins”, He allowed His Son Jesus to be under their rule, but we should be assured no one would have “bound” Him or “delivered” Him over to anyone without His consent. God loves people, and He wanted them to live “eternally” with Him. Let all who read these words know, understand and submit themselves to Jesus Christ the Lord.

Next time Matthew shares how, “Judas … repented himself”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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