Matthew 27:2

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when they had bound {G1210} him {G846}, they led him away {G520}, and {G2532} delivered {G3860} him {G846} to Pontius {G4194} Pilate {G4091} the governor {G2232}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then they put him in chains, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

Berean Standard Bible

They bound Him, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.

American Standard Version

and they bound him, and led him away, and delivered him up to Pilate the governor.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 27:2 marks the critical juncture in Jesus' Passion narrative where the Jewish religious authorities, having condemned Him for blasphemy, formally transfer Him to the Roman civil power. This act of binding and delivering Jesus to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, was a necessary step for His crucifixion, as the Jewish Sanhedrin lacked the legal authority under Roman occupation to execute a capital sentence, thus initiating the final, divinely ordained phase of His suffering and ultimate redemptive work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 27:2 immediately follows the Sanhedrin's condemnation of Jesus in [Matthew 26:65-66](/matthew/26-65-66 "Jesus' Condemnation by the Sanhedrin"). Having found Him guilty of blasphemy, the Jewish leaders faced a significant hurdle: they could not legally carry out a death sentence under Roman rule. Therefore, the narrative shifts from the religious court to the political arena, setting the stage for Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate. This transition is crucial, as it explains why Jesus, condemned by Jewish law, would ultimately suffer a Roman form of execution—crucifixion. The verse thus serves as a bridge, moving the Passion story from the internal Jewish legal proceedings to the broader imperial jurisdiction that would seal His fate.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Judea in the first century AD was a Roman province, governed by a Roman procurator (or prefect), in this case, Pontius Pilate. Under Roman occupation, the Jewish Sanhedrin retained significant religious and civil authority but was stripped of the power to execute capital punishment. Any death sentence required ratification by the Roman governor. The Jewish leaders, therefore, brought Jesus to Pilate, presenting charges that would be deemed capital offenses under Roman law—typically sedition or claiming to be a king in opposition to Caesar—rather than the religious charge of blasphemy, which held no weight in a Roman court. This historical reality underscores the political maneuvering and the complex interplay between Jewish religious law and Roman imperial power that characterized Jesus' trial.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **transfer of authority** from the Jewish religious establishment to the Roman imperial power, a necessary step for the fulfillment of prophecy regarding Jesus' death by crucifixion. Secondly, it emphasizes **Jesus' passive submission** to the divine will; though bound and led away, He offers no resistance, embodying the suffering servant prophesied in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). This willing surrender underscores His complete obedience to the Father's plan for redemption. Thirdly, the verse directly fulfills Jesus' own prophecy that He would be [“delivered unto the Gentiles”](/matthew/20-19 "Matthew 20:19 - Jesus Foretells His Delivery to the Gentiles") to be mocked, scourged, and crucified, as explicitly stated in [Matthew 20:19](/matthew/20-19 "Matthew 20:19 - Jesus Foretells His Delivery to the Gentiles"). This demonstrates the divine orchestration of events, even amidst human injustice and political machinations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bound (Greek, _déō'_):** This primary verb signifies to "bind," "tie," or "put in bonds." In the context of Matthew 27:2, it literally describes the physical restraint placed upon Jesus, indicating His status as a prisoner. This binding is not merely a practical measure but also carries symbolic weight, representing His complete submission and vulnerability as He is led to judgment, echoing the imagery of a sacrificial lamb being bound.
* **delivered (Greek, _paradídōmi'_):** This verb, derived from _pará_ (beside) and _dídōmi_ (to give), means "to surrender," "yield up," "entrust," or "transmit." While famously used for Judas's "betrayal" of Jesus, here it denotes the formal act of the Jewish authorities "handing over" Jesus to Pilate. This specific usage emphasizes the deliberate and official transfer of jurisdiction, highlighting the Jewish leaders' calculated decision to relinquish direct responsibility for His execution while ensuring His death.
* **governor (Greek, _hēgemṓn'_):** From _hēgéomai_ (to lead), this noun refers to a "leader" or "chief person" of a province, specifically a Roman procurator or governor. Pontius Pilate held this position in Judea. The use of this term precisely identifies the recipient of the Jewish leaders' delivery of Jesus, underscoring the shift from Jewish religious law to Roman civil and military authority, which alone possessed the power of capital punishment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they had bound him":** This phrase describes the immediate action taken by the Jewish authorities or their guards after Jesus' condemnation by the Sanhedrin. The act of binding signifies His status as a prisoner, stripped of freedom and dignity, and physically restrained for transport to the next stage of His trial. It underscores His complete vulnerability and lack of resistance in the face of His captors.
* **"they led him away":** This indicates the physical movement of Jesus from the place of His Jewish trial (likely Caiaphas's house or the Sanhedrin chamber) to the Roman praetorium where Pilate resided. The passive nature of Jesus in this act highlights His non-resistance and the active role of His accusers in orchestrating His journey towards crucifixion.
* **"and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor":** This is the pivotal moment of jurisdictional transfer. The Jewish leaders formally "hand over" Jesus to the highest Roman authority in Judea. This act was crucial because, as a Roman province, Judea's Jewish court lacked the authority to carry out a death sentence. By delivering Him to Pilate, they sought Roman ratification and execution of their desired verdict, shifting the burden of capital punishment to the imperial power. Pilate, identified by his full title, is explicitly named as the one now holding judicial power over Jesus.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew employs several literary devices in this concise verse. The **Narrative Progression** is stark and rapid, moving Jesus swiftly from one stage of His Passion to the next, emphasizing the relentless nature of the events leading to His crucifixion. The use of **Passive Voice** for Jesus ("when they had bound him, they led him away") subtly highlights His submission and lack of resistance, portraying Him as a willing participant in the divine plan rather than a helpless victim. The specific naming of "Pontius Pilate the governor" serves as **Historical Specificity**, grounding the narrative in real-world events and figures, which lends credibility and historical weight to the account. Furthermore, the entire scene functions as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the Roman method of execution (crucifixion) that Pilate would ultimately authorize, a method distinct from Jewish forms of capital punishment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 27:2 is profoundly significant, illustrating the divine orchestration of human events for redemptive purposes. It highlights the transfer of authority from the Jewish religious system, which had condemned Jesus on religious grounds, to the Roman civil power, which would execute Him on political charges. This was crucial for the fulfillment of prophecy regarding Jesus' death by crucifixion, a Roman method of execution, rather than stoning, a Jewish method. Jesus' passive obedience in this transfer underscores His complete submission to the Father's will, even unto death, demonstrating that His suffering was not an accident but a purposeful act of atonement. This moment also serves as a poignant reminder of how earthly powers, both religious and governmental, can conspire against divine truth, yet God's sovereign plan remains unthwarted.

* [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant's Silence")
* [John 18:28-32](/john/18-28-32 "John 18:28-32 - Jesus Before Pilate")
* [Acts 3:13](/acts/3-13 "Acts 3:13 - Peter's Sermon on Jesus' Delivery")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 27:2 invites us to contemplate the profound depths of Jesus' obedience and the intricate, yet divinely controlled, path to our salvation. Witnessing Jesus, bound and delivered from one authority to another, compels us to reflect on the nature of true power—not in human control or legal jurisdiction, but in surrendered love and unwavering commitment to God's will. His silent submission in the face of unjust systems challenges us to consider how we respond when faced with adversity, injustice, or the betrayal of others. It reminds us that God's purposes often unfold through difficult and seemingly contradictory circumstances, and our trust in His sovereignty must remain steadfast. This verse also serves as a stark warning about the dangers of religious and political power when it becomes corrupted and opposes divine truth, urging us to examine our own hearts for any tendencies to prioritize human systems over God's righteous standards.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' passive obedience in this verse challenge my understanding of strength and power?**
* **In what areas of my life am I called to surrender my will to God's, even when the path seems difficult or unjust?**
* **How can I ensure that my pursuit of justice and truth aligns with God's character, rather than being swayed by worldly systems or personal biases?**

### FAQ

**Why did the Jewish authorities "deliver" Jesus to Pilate if they had already condemned Him?**

Answer: The Jewish Sanhedrin, while possessing the authority to try religious cases and issue judgments, lacked the legal power to execute a capital sentence under Roman occupation. Rome reserved the right of capital punishment for itself. Therefore, after condemning Jesus for blasphemy (a religious offense), the Jewish leaders needed the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, to ratify their death sentence and carry out the execution. They likely reframed the charges to Pilate, accusing Jesus of sedition or claiming to be "King of the Jews," which were political offenses punishable by death under Roman law, as seen in [Luke 23:2](/luke/23-2 "Luke 23:2 - Charges Against Jesus Before Pilate"). This act of "delivering" Him was a formal transfer of jurisdiction to ensure His death.

**What was Pontius Pilate's role as "the governor"?**

Answer: Pontius Pilate served as the Roman procurator (or prefect) of Judea from AD 26 to 36. As governor, he was the chief Roman administrative and judicial authority in the province. His responsibilities included maintaining order, collecting taxes, and overseeing legal proceedings, including those involving capital punishment. When Jesus was "delivered" to him, Pilate became the ultimate arbiter of Jesus' fate, holding the power to either uphold or overturn the Jewish leaders' condemnation, as depicted throughout [Matthew 27](/matthew/27 "Matthew 27 - Jesus Before Pilate and His Crucifixion").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:2, depicting Jesus bound and delivered to Pontius Pilate, is a profound moment of Christ-centered fulfillment. This act directly actualizes Jesus' own prophecy that He would be [“delivered to the Gentiles”](/matthew/20-19 "Matthew 20:19 - Jesus Foretells His Delivery to the Gentiles") to suffer and die. More broadly, it embodies the ultimate surrender of the Son of God, not as a helpless victim, but as the willing Lamb of God, [who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His binding foreshadows His being bound to the cross, and His delivery to Pilate is the necessary step for the Roman method of execution—crucifixion—which was the specific means by which God ordained Christ would bear the curse of sin, as [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us From the Curse") declares. In this moment, the earthly powers, both religious and political, unknowingly participate in God's sovereign plan to bring about the atoning sacrifice, demonstrating that even human injustice and betrayal are ultimately subservient to the divine will for redemption, culminating in the glorious resurrection and the triumph of the King of Kings, as celebrated in [Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 3:13

The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let [him] go.

Matthew 20:19

And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify [him]: and the third day he shall rise again.

1 Timothy 6:13

¶ I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and [before] Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

Luke 13:1

¶ There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

Luke 20:20

¶ And they watched [him], and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

Acts 4:27

For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

Acts 22:25

And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?