Matthew 27
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Commentaries
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When the morning was come,.... Or, as soon as it was day, as Luke says, Luk 22:66. The sanhedrim had been up all night, which, after eating the passover, they had spent in apprehending, trying, and examining Jesus, and the witnesses against him; and had come to an unanimous vote, that he was guilty of death; upon which they either put Jesus out of the room for a while, or went into another themselves, to consult what further steps should be taken: or if they went home to their own houses, they very quickly got together again, and met in the temple, where they seem to be, Mat 27:5, unless the story of Judas is, by anticipation, inserted here; and in their council chamber, where they led Jesus, and examined him again concerning his being the Son of God; see Luk 22:66, all which shows how intent they were upon this business, and with what eagerness and diligence they pursued it; their feet ran to evil, and they made haste to shed blood. This was the time of their morning prayers, of their saying their phylacteries, and reciting the "shema", "hear, O Israel! the Lord our God is one Lord", according to their canon, which is this (e): "from what time do they read the "shema" in the morning? from such time that a man can distinguish between blue and white: says R. Eliezer, between blue and green; and he finishes it before the sun shines out. R. Joshua says, before three hours had elapsed:'' but religion, rites, ceremonies, and canons, must all give way to the accomplishment of what their hearts were so much set upon: all the chief priests and elders of the people. The Syriac and Persic versions leave out the word "all", but it is retained in the Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, and in Munster's Hebrew Gospel, and that very rightly. The Scribes and elders met at Ca…
Open source ↗27:1-2 The Jewish leaders were ready to level charges against Jesus before Pilate so that he would order Jesus’ execution. Pilate, a Gentile, fulfills Jesus’ prediction (20:19). 27:1 The charge of blasphemy (26:65-66), though sufficient for the death penalty among Jews, would not convince a Roman judge. Hence, the leading priests and the elders conspired together to prepare a more political charge consistent with capital offenses in Roman law (see 27:11-26; Luke 23:2).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πρωΐα (prōḯa, G4405) — day-dawn γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús, G749) — the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πρεσβύτερος (presbýteros, G4245) — older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member… λαός (laós, G2992) — a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace) λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) συμβούλιον (symboúlion, G4824) — advisement; specially, a deliberative body, i.e. the provincial assessors or lay-court κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ὥστε (hṓste, G5620) — so too, i.e. thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow) θανατόω (thanatóō, G2289)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… δέω (déō, G1210) — to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀπάγω (apágō, G520) — to take off (in various senses) παραδίδωμι (paradídōmi, G3860) — to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit Πόντιος (Póntios, G4194) — apparently bridged; Pontius, a Roman Πιλᾶτος (Pilâtos, G4091) — close-pressed, i.e. firm; Pilatus, a Roman ἡγεμών (hēgemṓn, G2232) — a leader, i.e. chief person (or figuratively, place) of a province
Open source ↗τότε (tóte, G5119) — the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution) Ἰούδας (Ioúdas, G2455) — Judas (i.e. Jehudah), the name of ten Israelites; also of the posterity of one of them… ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) παραδίδωμι (paradídōmi, G3860) — to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because κατακρίνω (katakrínō, G2632) — to judge against, i.e. sentence μεταμέλλομαι (metaméllomai, G3338) — to care afterwards, i.e. regret ἀποστρέφω (apostréphō, G654) — to turn away or back (literally or figuratively) τριάκοντα (triákonta, G5144) — thirty ἀργύριον (argýrion, G694) — silvery, i.e. (by implication) cash; specially, a silverling (i.e. drachma or shekel) ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús, G749) — the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other…
Open source ↗λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ἁμαρτάνω (hamartánō, G264) — properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (figuratively) to err,… παραδίδωμι (paradídōmi, G3860) — to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit ἄθωος (áthōos, G121) — not guilty αἷμα (haîma, G129) — blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… ἡμᾶς (hēmâs, G2248) — us ὀπτάνομαι (optánomai, G3700) — to gaze (i.e. with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from… σύ (sý, G4771) — thou
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ῥίπτω (rhíptō, G4496) — to fling (properly, with a quick toss, thus differing from G906 (βάλλω), which denotes a… ἀργύριον (argýrion, G694) — silvery, i.e. (by implication) cash; specially, a silverling (i.e. drachma or shekel) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ναός (naós, G3485) — a fane, shrine, temple ἀναχωρέω (anachōréō, G402) — to retire ἀπέρχομαι (apérchomai, G565) — to go off (i.e. depart), aside (i.e. apart) or behind (i.e. follow), literally or… ἀπάγχομαι (apánchomai, G519) — akin to the base of G43 (ἀγκάλη)); to strangle oneself off (i.e. to death)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús, G749) — the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) ἀργύριον (argýrion, G694) — silvery, i.e. (by implication) cash; specially, a silverling (i.e. drachma or shekel) ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) ἔξεστι (éxesti, G1832) — so also neuter present participle of the same (with or without some form of G1510 (εἰμί)… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not βάλλω (bállō, G906) — to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… κορβᾶν (korbân, G2878) — a votive offering and the offering; a consecrated present (to the Temple fund); by… ἐπεί (epeí, G1893) — thereupon, i.e. since (of time or cause) ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are τιμή (timḗ, G5092) — a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) συμβούλιον (symboúlion, G4824) — advisement; specially, a deliberative body, i.e. the provincial assessors or lay-court ἀγοράζω (agorázō, G59) — properly, to go to market, i.e. (by implication) to purchase; specially, to redeem ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… κεραμεύς (kerameús, G2763) — a potter ἀγρός (agrós, G68) — a field (as a drive for cattle); genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e.… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ταφή (taphḗ, G5027) — burial (the act) ξένος (xénos, G3581) — foreign (literally, alien, or figuratively, novel); by implication, a guest or…
Open source ↗διό (dió, G1352) — through which thing, i.e. consequently ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos, G1565) — that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed ἀγρός (agrós, G68) — a field (as a drive for cattle); genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e.… καλέω (kaléō, G2564) — to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) αἷμα (haîma, G129) — blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially… ἕως (héōs, G2193) — a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place) σήμερον (sḗmeron, G4594) — on the (i.e. this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e. at…
Open source ↗τότε (tóte, G5119) — the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution) πληρόω (plēróō, G4137) — to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively)… ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ῥέω (rhéō, G4483) — to utter, i.e. speak or say διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) Ἱερεμίας (Hieremías, G2408) — Hieremias (i.e. Jermijah), an Israelite προφήτης (prophḗtēs, G4396) — a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) τριάκοντα (triákonta, G5144) — thirty ἀργύριον (argýrion, G694) — silvery, i.e. (by implication) cash; specially, a silverling (i.e. drachma or shekel) τιμή (timḗ, G5092) — a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem… τιμάω (timáō, G5091) — to prize, i.e. fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… κεραμεύς (kerameús, G2763) — a potter ἀγρός (agrós, G68) — a field (as a drive for cattle); genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e.… καθά (kathá, G2505) — according to which things, i.e. just as κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… συντάσσω (syntássō, G4929) — to arrange jointly, i.e. (figuratively) to direct μοί (moí, G3427) — to me
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ἵστημι (hístēmi, G2476) — to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or… ἔμπροσθεν (émprosthen, G1715) — in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time) ἡγεμών (hēgemṓn, G2232) — a leader, i.e. chief person (or figuratively, place) of a province καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐπερωτάω (eperōtáō, G1905) — to ask for, i.e. inquire, seek αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… εἶ (eî, G1488) — thou art σύ (sý, G4771) — thou βασιλεύς (basileús, G935) — a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively) Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaîos, G2453) — Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah φημί (phēmí, G5346) — to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. speak or say
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… κατηγορέω (katēgoréō, G2723) — to be a plaintiff, i.e. to charge with some offence ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… ἀρχιερεύς (archiereús, G749) — the high-priest (literally, of the Jews, typically, Christ); by extension a chief priest πρεσβύτερος (presbýteros, G4245) — older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member… ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing
Open source ↗τότε (tóte, G5119) — the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution) λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… Πιλᾶτος (Pilâtos, G4091) — close-pressed, i.e. firm; Pilatus, a Roman αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not πόσος (pósos, G4214) — interrogative pronoun (of amount) how much (large, long or (plural) many) καταμαρτυρέω (katamartyréō, G2649) — to testify against σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… οὐδέ (oudé, G3761) — not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even εἷς (heîs, G1520) — one ῥῆμα (rhēma, G4487) — an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or… ὥστε (hṓste, G5620) — so too, i.e. thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow) ἡγεμών (hēgemṓn, G2232) — a leader, i.e. chief person (or figuratively, place) of a province θαυμάζω (thaumázō, G2296) — to wonder; by implication, to admire λίαν (lían, G3029) — much (adverbially)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin devised a plan. They bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate.
Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover.
At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, met together. They led Jesus into their Sanhedrin and said,
Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands.
The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One:
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.
At daybreak the apostles entered the temple courts as they had been told and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles.
Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!”
When the Gazites heard that Samson was there, they surrounded that place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. They were quiet throughout the night, saying, “Let us wait until dawn; then we will kill him.”