Passage 📖: Matthew 27:27–44

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👋 Introduction to Today’s Lesson

Some pain is physical.

Some is emotional.

But some pain goes deeper —

The kind that comes from doing the right thing… and still being rejected for it.

In today’s passage, Jesus isn’t just suffering.

He’s being mocked, humiliated, and misunderstood —

Not because He failed…

But because the world couldn’t recognize what real love looks like.

If you’ve ever felt the cost of obedience,

If you’ve ever wondered where God is when it hurts —

This moment is for you.

Let’s dive in.

Last week, we watched Jesus stand before Pilate — A Roman governor who knew He was innocent… But still handed Him over. The crowd was given a choice: Jesus the healer… or Barabbas the murderer. And they chose Barabbas. Not because he was good — But because he seemed useful. Not because Jesus was guilty — But because He didn’t meet their expectations. It wasn’t just a political decision. It was a prophetic one. The innocent condemned. The guilty walk free. A revolutionary released — while the Redeemer is rejected. Because this wasn’t just Barabbas’ story. It was ours. Jesus took the place of rebels — So grace could take the place of guilt.

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Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.

Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[c] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)

It’s still Friday morning — the same day Jesus stood trial before Pilate. After being condemned by the Roman governor and traded for Barabbas, Jesus is now turned over to Roman soldiers to be crucified.

The location shifts from Pilate’s headquarters to the Praetorium — a military barracks likely attached to the governor’s palace in Jerusalem. It’s here that the soldiers begin their brutal mockery, staging a performance of humiliation before leading Jesus to Golgotha, “the place of the skull” (v. 33), just outside the city walls.

Before He ever reaches the cross, Jesus is subjected to violent abuse:

This wasn’t just torture — it was theater.

A public, symbolic act meant to humiliate Jesus and mock the idea of Him being a king.

After the soldiers finish, Jesus is forced to carry His cross through the streets to Golgotha (Aramaic for “Skull”), also known by its Latin name: Calvary. This was a well-known execution site, likely on a hill outside the city gates, visible to passersby.

On the way, Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry the cross for Jesus (v. 32) — a detail that speaks to Jesus’ physical exhaustion after hours of beatings and scourging.

Once they arrive, Jesus is nailed to the cross between two criminals (v. 38). Above His head, a sign reads:

“This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

It’s both an accusation… and an unintended confession.

“From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over all the land.” — Matthew 27:45

This three-hour period of darkness, occurring from approximately 12 PM to 3 PM, is highly unusual. In ancient Jewish thought, darkness often symbolized divine judgment, mourning, or an impending act of God (see Amos 8:9–10).

This moment also draws connections to the ninth plague in Egypt — when darkness covered the land just before the final plague, the death of the firstborn (Exodus 10:21–23). That same theme — of judgment preceding deliverance — appears to be echoed here.

Though some natural explanations have been proposed (such as eclipses or dust storms), the literary and theological function of the darkness in Matthew is to mark this as a moment of cosmic significance. Something more than a human execution is taking place.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” — Matthew 27:46

At around 3 PM, Jesus speaks these words in Aramaic, quoting directly from Psalm 22:1 — a well-known lament attributed to David. The psalm begins with a cry of abandonment but eventually transitions to trust and vindication (Psalm 22:24).

By invoking this verse, Jesus aligns His suffering with the righteous sufferer in the psalm. The quotation reflects deep distress, but also serves to link His death to a larger biblical pattern — in which apparent defeat gives way to divine deliverance.

This moment has been interpreted by many as Jesus experiencing the full weight of human sin and separation. However, in Matthew’s account, the emphasis remains on fulfillment of Scripture, not theological explanation. The cry marks both the emotional and prophetic climax of the crucifixion scene.

This isn’t just the death of a man.

It’s the collision of heaven and earth.

Power and mercy.

Hatred and holiness.

Every detail drips with meaning — fulfilling ancient prophecy and revealing the heart of humanity.

This is the turning point of the Gospel.

Where Jesus is not just teaching about the Kingdom —

He’s embodying it.

Not from a throne, but from a cross.

Not through conquest, but through suffering.

Even the silence.

Even the darkness.

Even the cry of abandonment…

All of it is telling the same story:

The King is laying down His life — so we can find ours.

As Jesus hung on the cross — mocked, insulted, and misunderstood — the people stood by and scoffed: “If you’re the Son of God… come down!” “He trusts in God? Let God rescue Him!” (Matthew 27:40, 43) But they didn’t understand what they were seeing. Because the world only recognizes power when it looks like domination. It celebrates strength when it looks like force. It respects confidence when it’s loud, proud, and unbothered. What it doesn’t understand… Is surrender. Obedience. Sacrifice. That’s why the cross seems like foolishness. And why those who follow Jesus often feel misunderstood. So when you are insulted at work… Excluded from friend groups… Dismissed by your family… Because you live with conviction, compassion, and a quiet strength that doesn’t play by the world’s rules… Don’t be surprised. Jesus already told us: “If they hated Me, they will hate you also.” (John 15:18) But He also said: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness… for theirs is the Kingdom.” (Matthew 5:10) So when the world doesn’t get you — When it mocks your values, questions your choices, or treats your obedience like weakness… Don’t lose heart. You’re in good company. Because this is how they treated Him. And if your life is starting to look like His… That’s not failure. That’s faithfulness.

To the crowds, this moment makes no sense. “He saved others, but He can’t save Himself!” “He trusts in God—let God rescue Him now!” (Matthew 27:42–43) If He really had power… If He really was God’s Son… Shouldn’t He come down? But this is the paradox of the Kingdom: The wisdom of God will always look like foolishness to man. And this cross — the very thing they mocked — was the culmination of a story thousands of years in the making. Because God had tried everything to bring humanity back: In Eden, He gave them dominion.

In Egypt, He split the sea.

At Sinai, He spoke face to face.

In the promised land, He gave them kings and covenant.

Through the prophets, He pleaded.

Through exile, He disciplined.

Generation after generation, God reached… And humanity resisted. So now, at the cross, heaven makes its final move: Not by sending another warning. Not by offering another miracle. But by offering Himself. The sinless One hangs in the place of sinners. The Creator condemned in place of His creation. The King dies for rebels who reject Him. This is why the crowd didn’t understand. Because no earthly king would do this. Not Caesar. Not Pharaoh. No ruler dies for his enemies. But our King does. What looked like weakness… Was the strength to save. What looked like defeat… Was the victory that would change everything. The cross isn’t God failing to save Himself. It’s God choosing to save us instead.

This wasn’t just another execution. It was the hour everything changed. The sky grew dark. The earth stood still. The King of all creation was nailed to a cross — mocked, beaten, misunderstood… And still, He stayed. He refused the numbing wine. He absorbed every insult. He bore every ounce of pain — with a clear mind and a willing heart. Not because He was weak… But because love demanded it. And when the crowd said, “He saved others — but He can’t save Himself…” They weren’t entirely wrong. He could have come down. But He wouldn’t. Because saving us meant not saving Himself. This is the mystery of the cross: Power hidden in surrender. Glory clothed in shame. The wisdom of God… disguised as foolishness. So when the world doesn’t get it — When it mocks your obedience, dismisses your faith, or questions your quiet conviction — Don’t lose heart. Jesus didn’t just die for us. He showed us how to live. In love. In sacrifice. In faithfulness — even when no one else sees it. And when darkness comes, When it feels like God is far, When obedience feels like agony… Remember: Even Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46) He entered that silence — so we’d never have to be alone in it. He bore that weight — so we could be free. He stayed on the cross — so we could walk away from the grave. So today, don’t rush past this moment. Let it break you. Let it humble you. Let it remind you of what love really looks like. Because this — This is the King we follow.

Blessings,

Michael

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