THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS - Matthew 27:37

Matthew the apostle wrote how, “the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse thirty-seven of his book, Matthew wrote how there was an “accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS” where we read:

And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

The verse reads, “And set up over his head his accusation written, ...” Matthew began words, “and set up” which means “and lay and put” “over his head” which means “over the head of Jesus” “his accusation written” or “Jesus' cause, reason and charge of crime was delineated with letters on a tablet, parchment, paper or other material”. Matthew shared how the cause for Jesus' crucifixion was “written” and put above His head on the cross.

The verse goes on to say, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Matthew added the words, “THIS IS JESUS” or “the person upon the cross is Jesus whose name means Jehovah is Salvation” and is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “THE KING” which means “the leader, prince, commander and lord of the land” “OF THE JEWS” or “belonging to the Jewish nation”. Matthew shared how the sign of charge and complaint above Jesus' head declared Him to be “the ruler and leader of the Jewish people”.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we should referred to John the apostle who wrote, “And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (See John 19:19), and this was the reason given for Jesus being crucified. Jesus was indeed the “KING OF THE JEWS”, and although they did not recognize Him, He was and is the Messiah and the Christ of the World. Jesus was crucified for the “sins” of all people, and because He gave His life, those who believe and trust in Him as their “KING” will be “saved” and receive “everlasting life” with God.

Next time Matthew wrote how, “there were there two thieves crucified with him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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