Meaning of Matthew 27:20

This verse from Matthew 27:20 reveals a pivotal moment of mob manipulation and the tragic consequence of collective, misguided will, orchestrated by religious and political authorities. The chief priests and elders, driven by their opposition to Jesus and their desire to maintain their own power and societal order, actively instigated the crowd. They did not merely stand by; they persuaded, meaning they used their influence, rhetoric, and potentially their authority to sway public opinion. Their goal was to secure the release of Barabbas, a known criminal, and condemn Jesus, the "King of the Jews," to crucifixion. This demonstrates a deliberate act of subverting justice and manipulating the populace for self-serving purposes, highlighting the corrupting influence of power and the ease with which fear and prejudice can be weaponized.

Context and Background

The scene unfolds during the Passover festival, a time of nationalistic fervor and a general amnesty granted by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. Pilate, as the Roman authority, held the power to release a prisoner. The chief priests and elders, who represented the Jewish religious establishment, were deeply threatened by Jesus' teachings, his claims of authority, and his popularity. They had already sought to arrest and condemn him, but lacked the legal standing or popular support to do so without Roman involvement. By leveraging the Passover custom and skillfully influencing the crowd, they created a situation where Pilate, despite his reservations about Jesus' guilt, felt pressured by the clamor to comply with their demands, thereby absolving himself of direct responsibility for Jesus' death.

Key Themes and Messages

• Manipulation and Deception: The verse underscores how those in positions of influence can deliberately mislead and manipulate others for their own agenda. The chief priests and elders were not presenting a genuine choice but a manufactured one designed to achieve a predetermined outcome.
• The Corrupting Nature of Power: The entrenched religious elite, fearing the disruption Jesus represented to their authority and the established order, actively chose to suppress truth and promote injustice.
• The Danger of the Crowd: While the crowd is a passive recipient of persuasion here, their willingness to be swayed and to demand a criminal's release over an innocent man illustrates the volatile nature of public opinion when not guided by truth or justice.
• The Subversion of Justice: The ultimate message is the deliberate and successful subversion of divine justice by human machinations, where a guilty criminal is freed and an innocent Messiah is condemned.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse speaks to the ongoing spiritual battle between truth and deception, and between the forces that seek to uphold God's will and those that oppose it. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing prejudice, fear, or self-interest to dictate our judgments and actions. For believers, it highlights the profound sacrifice Jesus made, willingly submitting to this unjust condemnation for the sake of humanity's redemption. It also calls for discernment in evaluating claims and resisting the temptation to be swayed by popular opinion or the pronouncements of authority figures when they contradict divine truth.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Matthew 27:20 is a crucial hinge point in the Gospel narrative, directly leading to the crucifixion of Jesus. It fulfills Old Testament prophecies that spoke of the Messiah being rejected by his own people and suffering unjustly. It sets the stage for the climax of Jesus' earthly ministry – his death and resurrection – which is the central event of Christian theology. This event, born out of such human depravity and manipulation, ultimately becomes the instrument of God's perfect plan for salvation.

Analogies

One analogy is a courtroom where the prosecuting attorneys, in league with corrupt officials, bribe or intimidate witnesses and manipulate the jury into convicting an innocent defendant while acquitting a known felon. Another analogy is a political campaign where a charismatic but unscrupulous leader incites public anger against a principled opponent, using misinformation and fear to win support for their own nefarious agenda.

Relation to Other Verses

• Isaiah 53:3: "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we took no account of him." This prophecy directly foreshadows the rejection Jesus faced, as depicted in Matthew 27:20.
• Luke 23:18-25: This parallel account in Luke provides similar details about the crowd's demands and Pilate's decision, emphasizing the choice between Jesus and Barabbas.
• John 18:38-40: Pilate's questioning of Jesus and his recognition of the chief priests' envy further illuminate the motivations behind their actions.
• Acts 4:27: This verse references the conspiracy of Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with Gentiles and the people of Israel, against Jesus, directly linking the events in Matthew to a broader historical and spiritual opposition.