Matthew 27:2

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Context of Matthew 27:2

Matthew 27:2 marks a pivotal moment in the Passion narrative, detailing the transition of Jesus from the custody of the Jewish religious authorities to the Roman imperial power. Following His condemnation by the Sanhedrin (the Jewish high court) for blasphemy, as recounted in Matthew 26:65-66, the Jewish leaders lacked the legal authority under Roman occupation to execute a capital sentence. Therefore, they were compelled to bring Jesus before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor (procurator) of Judea, hoping he would ratify their death sentence on different charges, typically political insurrection, which was a capital offense under Roman law. This act of "delivering" Jesus to Pilate is also highlighted in other Gospels, such as John 18:28, emphasizing the desperate measures taken by the chief priests and elders.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Transfer of Authority: The verse vividly portrays the shift of jurisdiction from the Jewish religious court to the Roman civil government. This was a necessary step for Jesus to be crucified, as crucifixion was a Roman method of execution.
  • Jesus' Submission: Though bound and led away, Jesus offers no resistance, fulfilling prophecies of His silent suffering. His willingness to be "delivered" highlights His complete submission to the Father's will and the divine plan for redemption.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus Himself had foretold that He would be "delivered unto the Gentiles" to be mocked, scourged, and crucified (Matthew 20:19). This verse directly shows the commencement of that specific prophecy's fulfillment.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "delivered" is paradidōmi (παραδίδωμι). This versatile term can mean to hand over, surrender, entrust, or even betray. It is notably used for Judas's betrayal of Jesus, but here it signifies the formal act of the Jewish authorities handing Jesus over to the Roman governor. The choice of this word underscores the deliberate action of the Jewish leaders in surrendering Jesus to an external power for judgment and execution, effectively washing their hands of the direct responsibility for His death while still orchestrating it.

Practical Application

Matthew 27:2 reminds us of the intricate, yet divinely orchestrated, steps leading to the crucifixion. It emphasizes Jesus' passive obedience in the face of human injustice and political maneuvering. For believers, it highlights the sovereignty of God even amidst the darkest human actions. Jesus was not merely a victim of circumstance, but He willingly submitted to every stage of His Passion, knowing it was the path to salvation. This verse invites us to reflect on our own submission to God's will, even when it leads through difficult or seemingly unjust circumstances, trusting in His ultimate purpose. It also serves as a stark reminder of how earthly powers, religious or governmental, can be used to oppose divine truth.

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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?