Matthew 27:27–31: The King of the Jews
Introduction
This short section depicts the mystery of the gospel in the stunning paradox of Jesus as a king—albeit a mocked and mistreated king. In every verse, we see the glory of Jesus’ kingship through the veil of his humiliation, which reminds us that Jesus’ reign as king is inseparable from his suffering at the cross. It is not merely that Jesus must undergo suffering in order to come out on the other side into his glory, but that Jesus’ glory is inseparably bound up in his sufferings. Or, to put this another way, Jesus reveals his glory in the darkness of Golgotha as well as the radiance of his resurrected glory. By mockery and mistreatment, Jesus is crowned as the King of the Jews.
Discussion Questions
1. What was the “governor’s headquarters” (v. 27a)? Why is it fitting for Jesus to be brought now into an imperial palace? How many soldiers would have been included in the “whole battalion” (v. 27b)? How does this picture foreshadow how King Jesus will one day be surrounded by his glorious hosts? How does this detail contribute to the overall theme of how Jesus is crowned king as he prepares to go to the cross?
2. What does the Old Testament background (especially in the life of Joseph) suggest about the significance of how Jesus is stripped of his clothing and clothed with a scarlet robe (v. 28)? How are the thorns of Jesus’ crown associated with the curse over all creation (v. 29a; see Gen. 3:18)? How does a reed scepter suggest weakness (v. 29b)? How would the Romans have felt over a “King of the Jews” (v. 29c)? How does Jesus’ exaltation fit with his preparation for the cross?
3. What does Jesus’ being hit over the head with his own scepter suggest about the means by which Christ will enter into his kingdom (v. 30)? Against the backdrop of Joseph’s life, what is the significance of Jesus’ being stripped of his colorful robe in v. 31? How did the Lord lead Joseph through humiliation on his way to exaltation and glory? How does that story inform the way that we see Jesus as he is led out to be crucified (v. 31)?
4. What should we make of Jesus’ being crowned king over a cursed, weak, and absurd kingdom? How does Christ’s glory shine through in the darkness of his crucifixion? Does this horrifying scene lead you to reverent worship of our Savior? How might you pray for the increase of Christ’s kingdom (“They kingdom come!”; see Westminster Larger Catechism, #191)? How does this scene help us to refocus the way that we see the suffering and shame of the church in the world?
