Season 5 Podcast 69 The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew 27 C, “The Crucifixion.”

In last week’s episode we explored the long road to Golgotha.  This week we shall examine the crucifixion.

“And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.” (Matthew 27:35-36)

Mark’s account is very similar to Matthew’s.

“And sitting down they watched him there; And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.” (Mark 15:24)

In the above we learn

1.     That Christ was crucified.

2.     That His garments were taken from him.

3.     That the Roman Soldiers cast lots to determine what every man should take.

Apparently Christ was not dressed as a pauper because his garments were valued by the Roman Soldiers. The significance of parting the garments is to indicate the final humiliation of the Savior as if the Crown of Thorns weren’t enough. It also suggests in temporal terms that by stripping him of his royal robes he was also stripped of his title. In the large scheme of things, however, the real lesson is that it is not in man to ordain kings and queens in the Kingdom of God. The power of God through ordained authorities alone can do that.  Remember the words to Peter.

“Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:18)

Christ is speaking of the authority of the priesthood. Only those who are duly ordained by God are authorized to exercise priesthood authority. In other words, man has neither the authority to ordain Christ a King nor the authority to take his kingdom away. It is a mockery equal to the crowning of thorns.

However, right in the middle of this humiliation, The Lord and Savior of the world humbly prays.

5 LINDA

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” (Luke 23:34)

5 RON

John repeats the above but gives greater detail, suggesting that Christ was rather expensively dressed.

“Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.” (John 19:23-24)

The details surrounding the crucifixion of Christ are given to prove that it is in fulfilment of prophecy.  As Matthew said, “That it might be fulfilled with was spoken by the prophet.” The title placed by Pilate drew criticism by the Jews.

“And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (Mark 15:26)

In an interesting twist Mark adds validation to his account by including a conversation Pilate had with the Chief Priest and Elders.

“And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.” (Mark 15:2)

“But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?” (Mark 15:9)

We cannot know Pilate’s intent. Was he mocking those who were seeking Christ’s death or was he expressing his own feelings that Christ was indeed the King of the Jews? Perhaps he felt something in his interrogation of Christ, though not enough to overrule the mob. However, Mark adds another detail that suggests that perhaps Pilate was not converted.