Then the governor’s soldiersThe soldiers mentioned here are Roman soldiers under the authority of the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. Roman soldiers were known for their discipline and brutality, often used to maintain order in occupied territories. Their involvement highlights the Roman authority over Judea and the political tension of the time.
took Jesus into the Praetorium
The Praetorium was the official residence of the Roman governor in Jerusalem, likely located in the Antonia Fortress adjacent to the Temple Mount. This setting underscores the Roman judicial process and the political nature of Jesus' trial. It also fulfills the prophecy of Jesus being handed over to the Gentiles (Matthew 20:19).
and gathered the whole company around Him.
A Roman cohort, or company, could consist of several hundred soldiers. The gathering of such a large group emphasizes the mockery and humiliation Jesus faced. This scene foreshadows the fulfillment ofIsaiah 53:3, where the Messiah is described as "despised and rejected by men." The soldiers' actions also reflect the spiritual blindness and hardness of heart prevalent among those who rejected Jesus as the Messiah.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JesusThe central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, who is about to be crucified. This verse marks the beginning of His physical suffering at the hands of Roman soldiers.
2.
Governor’s SoldiersRoman soldiers under the authority of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. They are responsible for mocking and torturing Jesus before His crucifixion.
3.
PraetoriumThe governor's official residence or headquarters in Jerusalem. It is here that Jesus is mocked and beaten by the soldiers.
4.
The Whole CompanyRefers to the cohort of Roman soldiers, which could number up to 600 men. This indicates the scale of the mockery and abuse Jesus faced.
5.
Pontius PilateAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, he is the Roman governor who authorized Jesus' crucifixion. His role is crucial in the events leading up to this moment.
Teaching Points
The Humility of ChristJesus willingly submitted to humiliation and suffering, demonstrating ultimate humility. As believers, we are called to emulate His humility in our own lives.
The Reality of SinThe soldiers' actions reflect the depth of human sinfulness. Recognizing this should lead us to repentance and a deeper appreciation for Christ's sacrifice.
Endurance in SufferingJesus' endurance through suffering serves as an example for us to remain steadfast in our faith, even in the face of trials and persecution.
The Fulfillment of ProphecyThe events of
Matthew 27:27 fulfill Old Testament prophecies, affirming the reliability of Scripture and God's sovereign plan.
The Cost of RedemptionReflecting on the physical and emotional suffering Jesus endured helps us understand the immense cost of our redemption and should inspire gratitude and worship.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 27:27?
2.How does Matthew 27:27 illustrate the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about Jesus?
3.What can we learn about human nature from the soldiers' actions in Matthew 27:27?
4.How should Christians respond to mockery and persecution, as seen in Matthew 27:27?
5.In what ways does Matthew 27:27 deepen our understanding of Jesus' suffering for us?
6.How can Matthew 27:27 inspire us to stand firm in our faith today?
7.Why did the Roman soldiers mock Jesus in Matthew 27:27?
8.How does Matthew 27:27 reflect the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy?
9.What is the significance of the soldiers' actions in Matthew 27:27?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 27?
11.What events define the crucifixion in Journey to the Cross?
12.What events occurred on Day 6 of the journey?
13.Who killed Jesus?
14.Psalm 25:2 – How can the Psalmist claim trusting God prevents shame when history and current events show many believers still suffer humiliation?What Does Matthew 27:27 Mean
Then“Then the governor’s soldiers…” (Matthew 27:27)
• The word “then” ties this moment directly to what just happened—Pilate has handed Jesus over to be crucified (Matthew 27:26).
• Each step unfolds exactly in God’s sovereign timeline, foretold in passages likeIsaiah 53:10 and fulfilled with precision (Acts 2:23).
• The Gospel writers keep us moving steadily toward the cross (Mark 15:15-16), reminding us that none of this is accidental.
the governor’s soldiers• These are Roman troops under Pontius Pilate’s command—Gentile warriors who have no personal stake in Israel’s Messianic hope (John 18:3).
• Scripture had long predicted that the Messiah would be “numbered with transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12); Roman soldiers represent the world’s hostility toward God’s righteous One (Acts 4:27).
• Their involvement underscores that both Jew and Gentile share responsibility for Jesus’ suffering (Romans 3:23).
took Jesus• Jesus is not dragged unwillingly; He yields. Earlier He said, “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord” (John 10:18).
• His silent submission fulfills “He was led like a lamb to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7;1 Peter 2:23).
• Even in custody, Jesus remains the true authority (John 19:11).
into the Praetorium• The Praetorium is Pilate’s headquarters in Jerusalem (John 18:28-29).
• While religious leaders avoid this Gentile site to stay “ceremonially clean,” Jesus steps inside, bearing our uncleanness so we can be made clean (Hebrews 13:12-13).
• The location highlights Rome’s judicial power, yet divine justice is about to overrule human verdicts (Acts 17:31).
and gathered the whole company around Him• A “company” (cohort) could number up to 600 soldiers (Mark 15:16). Jesus stands alone before a crowd of hardened warriors.
•Psalm 22:16 foresaw this: “For dogs surround me; a band of evildoers encircles me.”
• Their assembly is mocking theater—jeering, striking, and dressing Him in a scarlet robe (Matthew 27:28-30;Luke 22:63-65).
• Yet their contempt magnifies His majesty: the King allows Himself to be surrounded so He can surround us with salvation (Zephaniah 3:17).
summaryMatthew 27:27 shows the precise, purposeful march toward Calvary: Roman soldiers escort Jesus into Pilate’s headquarters and encircle Him. Each detail fulfills prophecy, displays Jesus’ willing submission, and underscores humanity’s collective guilt. What looks like Roman control is, in truth, God’s redemptive plan advancing step by step, revealing the Savior who voluntarily endures shame to secure our salvation.
(27)
The common hall.--Literally, the
Praetorium, a word which, applied originally to the tent of the praetor, or general, and so to the head-quarters of the camp. had come to be used, with a somewhat wide range of meaning, (1) for the residence of a prince or governor; or (2) for the barracks attached to such a residence (as in
Philippians 1:13); or (3) for any house as stately. Here (as in
Acts 23:35) it appears to be used in the first sense. Pilate's dialogue with the priests and people had probably been held from the portico of the Tower of Antony, which rose opposite the Temple Court, and served partly as a fortress, partly as an official residence. The soldiers now took the prisoner into their barrack-room within.
The whole band of soldiers.--The word used is the technical word for the cohort, or sub-division of a legion.
Verses 27-30. -
Jesus mocked by the soldiers. (
Mark 15:16-19;
John 19:2, 3.)
Verse 27. -
The soldiers of the governor. The brutal soldiers, far from feeling compassion for the meek Sufferer, take a fiendish pleasure in torturing and insulting him. They fling upon his bleeding body his upper garments, and take him
into the common hall (
πραιτώριον,
the Praetorium). This name was applied to the dwelling house of the provincial governor, and here refers to the open court of the building, outside which the preceding events had taken place (see on ver. 2).
The whole band (
σπεῖραν), which usually signifies "a cohort" (
Acts 10:1), but sometimes only a maniple, which was a third part of the same (Polybius, 11:23:1). This is probably what is meant here, as they would not denude the barracks of all its occupants, who consisted of one cohort of about six hundred men (Josephus, 'Bell. Jud.,' 2:15. 6). The soldiers summoned their comrades on guard at the palace or in the Tower of Antonia to come and join in the cruel sport. "The devil was then entering in fury into the hearts of all. For indeed they made a pleasure of their insults against him, being a savage and a worthless set" (Chrysostom,
in loc.).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
ThenΤότε(Tote)Adverb
Strong's 5119:Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.theοἱ(hoi)Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.governor’sἡγεμόνος(hēgemonos)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2232:From hegeomai; a leader, i.e. Chief person of a province.soldiersστρατιῶται(stratiōtai)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4757:A soldier. From a presumed derivative of the same as stratia; a camper-out, i.e. A warrior.tookπαραλαβόντες(paralabontes)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3880:From para and lambano; to receive near, i.e. Associate with oneself; by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn.JesusἸησοῦν(Iēsoun)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424:Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.intoεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.theτὸ(to)Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.Praetoriumπραιτώριον(praitōrion)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4232:Of Latin origin; the praetorium or governor's courtroom.[and] gatheredσυνήγαγον(synēgagon)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4863:From sun and ago; to lead together, i.e. Collect or convene; specially, to entertain.theτὴν(tēn)Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.wholeὅλην(holēn)Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3650:All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.companyσπεῖραν(speiran)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4686:A cohort, the tenth part of a legion; a military guard.aroundἐπ’(ep’)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.Him.αὐτὸν(auton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 27:27 Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into (Matt. Mat Mt) 
