The Bloodguilt of Jerusalem by Steve Gregg (Matthew 27:15–26)

https://thenarrowpath.com | *Channel not run by Steve Gregg* | Gregg’s lecture on Matthew 27:15–26 examines the dramatic scene where Pontius Pilate offers the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, reflecting the tension between Roman authority and Jewish pressure. The Sanhedrin’s envy of Jesus pushed for His crucifixion, while Pilate’s initial inclination, influenced by his wife’s warning and Jesus’ demeanor, favored release. However, fearing a riot and Caesar’s displeasure, Pilate yielded, washing his hands symbolically while releasing Barabbas and sentencing Jesus to flogging and crucifixion. Gregg highlights the crowd’s fickleness, the chief priests’ manipulation, and the theological significance of the Jews’ acceptance of Jesus’ bloodguilt, linked to later judgment in 70 A.D. | Transcript: https://opentheo.org/i/765611936653040111/matthew-2715-2726

Outline
1. The Custom of Releasing a Prisoner (Matthew 27:15–16):
• Pilate’s custom of releasing a prisoner during the feast led him to present the crowd with Jesus and Barabbas, a notorious criminal.
• This act may have been an attempt to sway the crowd toward Jesus’ release, despite the Sanhedrin’s envy-driven accusations.

2. The Crowd’s Choice (Matthew 27:17–21):
• The chief priests incited the crowd to demand Barabbas’ release and Jesus’ crucifixion, overcoming Pilate’s hope for a favorable public response.
• Pilate asked, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” to which the crowd shouted, “Let him be crucified!”
3. Pilate’s Protest and the Hand-Washing (Matthew 27:22–24):
• Pilate questioned, “Why? What evil has he done?” but, facing a rising tumult, washed his hands, declaring, “I am innocent of the blood of this just person. You see to it.”
• This symbolic act was a protest, though ineffective, as it did not absolve his responsibility.

4. The Crowd’s Response (Matthew 27:25):
• The people replied, “His blood be on us and on our children,” accepting guilt, which Gregg ties to the judgment on Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
• This reflects their willingness to bear the consequences of condemning an innocent man.

5. The Outcome (Matthew 27:26):
• Pilate’s release of Barabbas and, after scourging Jesus, delivery of Him to be crucified, succumbed to political pressure despite recognizing Jesus’ innocence.

6. Context of Barabbas’ Name and Role (Matthew 27:16):
• Barabbas’ name, meaning “son of the father,” is ironic, as he was released in Jesus’ place, the true Son of the Father.
• Little is known of Barabbas, but his exchange underscores the theological contrast with Jesus.

7. Pilate’s Sympathy and Pressure (Matthew 27:18–19):
• Pilate’s dislike for the Sanhedrin’s envy endeared Jesus to him, reinforced by his wife’s dream warning against harming “this righteous man.”
• Despite this, Pilate faced intense pressure from the priests and the threat of a riot.

8. Crowd Dynamics and Manipulation (Matthew 27:20):
• The crowd, possibly gathered or influenced by the chief priests, lacked deep knowledge of Jesus and followed their leaders’ directives.
• Gregg notes the fickleness of people without conviction, contrasting true discipleship with crowd-driven behavior.

9. Theological and Historical Implications:
• Pilate’s decision, influenced by fear of Caesar and blackmail about Jesus as an anti-Roman figure, contradicted Jesus’ non-threatening kingdom.
• The Jews’ bloodguilt invocation fulfilled prophecy, leading to divine judgment, while Pilate’s hand-washing symbolized a futile attempt to evade accountability.

10. Conclusion:
• The narrative reveals human weakness, divine sovereignty, and the cost of rejecting Jesus, urging listeners to stand firm in faith unlike the wavering crowd and Pilate.

Matthew 27:15-26
Taking the Place of Barabbas
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. 16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called [a]Barabbas. 17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.

19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”

20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”

They said, “Barabbas!”

22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”

They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”

23 Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?”

But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”

24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a [b]tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this [c]just Person. You see to it.”

25 And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”

26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had [d]scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.

Footnotes
Matthew 27:16 NU Jesus Barabbas
Matthew 27:24 an uproar
Matthew 27:24 NU omits just
Matthew 27:26 flogged with a Roman scourge

#jesus #israel #jerusalem #pontiuspilate #trial #70ad #matthew27 #gospelofmatthew #thenarrowpath #stevegregg #biblestudy #bibleteaching #seminary