PrevMatthew 27:32Next

Matthew 27

When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.

Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;

And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.

And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.

And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

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.

And sitting down they watched him there;

And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.

When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:

He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.

And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,

Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.

Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

What does Matthew 27:32 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 27:32 recounts the moment when Simon of Cyrene, an onlooker during Jesus Christ's journey to his crucifixion, was compelled by the Roman soldiers to carry the cross for Jesus, who was weakened by the torture he had endured.

This verse captures a moment of interaction between Jesus, the passerby Simon, and the Roman authorities.

Literally, it describes a situation where someone is forced to help carry a heavy burden.

On a deeper level, this can be seen as an illustration of being called upon to share in the suffering or journey of another, which in Christian theology means identification with the sufferings of Christ, and a call to discipleship.

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Cyrene was an ancient Greek city in present-day Libya, North Africa.

People from Cyrene would have been common in large trading centers such as Jerusalem.

During Jesus' time, crucifixion was a method of execution used by Rome to punish criminals and suppress rebellions by inducing fear.

The act of forcing someone to carry the cross was not only a practical way to get a weakened prisoner to the site of crucifixion, but also a form of humiliation, part of the overall suffering of the condemned.

Theological Insights

In a theological sense, Simon of Cyrene's compelled service is rich with symbolism.

Some see Simon's act as representing the Gentile world's assistance in the spread of the gospel that would follow Jesus' death.

Others interpret this episode as a model for Christian discipleship, suggesting that followers of Christ must be ready to take up their own crosses, in a metaphorical sense, to follow Him, as seen in Matthew 16:24.

The verse also prefigures the burden-sharing nature of the Christian community.

Practical Applications

This verse can inspire individuals to be sensitive to the burdens of others and willingly help to carry them, whether these are physical, emotional, or spiritual burdens.

It speaks to the virtues of empathy, service, and community support.

The modern application could thus be seen as an encouragement to assist those in need, without prejudice, in the way Simon of Cyrene was pulled into the path of Jesus without prior knowledge or intention.

Cross-References

Mark 15:21: "And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross."
Luke 23:26: "And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus."
Matthew 16:24: "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word "ἀγγαρεύουσιν" (angareuousin) is used for "compelled," which carries an implication of impressment or coercion.

The term is borrowed from a Persian practice of forcing subjects to provide courier service. It reflects the Roman authority's power to conscript civilians into service.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Simon's carrying of the cross is reminiscent of other figures in ancient myths and religious narratives who are compelled to take on burdens.

For instance, in Greek mythology, Atlas is charged with holding up the sky.

In some traditions, carrying burdens can also be seen as an act of honor or a way to acquire merit, though in the context of Roman execution, it was more likely to have been seen as a disgrace or a form of forced labor.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern psychological and sociological insights might view Simon’s compelled act as a form of altruism or pro-social behavior, albeit one that was mandated.

Science could explore the biological and psychological effects of stress, empathy, and group dynamics in such a situation, with the understanding that even forced support can lead to bonding and communities of shared suffering or purpose.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars have offered various interpretations of this verse.

Some believe that Simon, who may have been unaware of Jesus and his teachings, was transformed by this encounter, as his sons are mentioned by Mark, suggesting that his family became part of the early Christian community.

Commentators also note the historical practice of impressment by occupying forces, relating it to the broader theme of submission to authority and suffering within the New Testament narrative.

The sudden introduction of Simon into the Passion narrative has been interpreted as highlighting the unexpected demands of discipleship that can be placed on believers at any time.

Matthew 27

Matthew 27

What does Matthew 27:32 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 27:32 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?