The Envy of the Religious Leaders - Matthew 27:18

Matthew the apostle shared how, “Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Are you the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, You said it. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Do you not hear how many things they witness against you? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marveled greatly. Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will you that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse eighteen of his book, Matthew wrote Pilate, “knew that for envy they had delivered him” where we read:

For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

The verse reads, “For he knew that for envy ...” Matthew began with the words, “for he knew” which means “because, since and on account that Pilate understood, perceived, noticed and discerned” “that for envy” or “because of the reason of jealousy and love threatened from within”. Matthew shared how Pilate perceived these “religious leaders and elders” were motivated by “jealousy and inward lust” for their own preeminence rather than Jesus.

The verse goes on to say, “... they had delivered him. Matthew continued with words, “they had delivered” or “the chief priests and elders gave, punished, scourged, tormented and betrayed treacherously” “him” which refers to “Jesus”. Matthew shared how the “religious leaders and elders” “gave” Jesus over to Pilate because they were motivated to destroy Him.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see the perceptive ways within Pilate before whom Jesus stood. He knew the “high priests and elders” gave Jesus to him because they desired the position and status Jesus had among the people. The “religious leaders” saw Jesus' popularity as a threat to them when He ministered to people, and they wanted Him destroyed. God loves people, and His desire is that they “draw near to Him” so that He may forgive their sins and provide them with “everlasting life” . Pilate knew the reason the “religious leaders” “delivered” Jesus to him because his perception was provided by God who is the “Savior of mankind”.

Next time Matthew shares how Pilate's wife says, “have nothing to do with that just man”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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