(1) The religious leaders had long decided to get rid of Jesus, now they have made it official, through a “kangaroo” court. What remains is to legitimize it in the eyes of the (Roman) law. Why then would Judas develop a sense of remorse at this time? Did he not expect it when he received the “blood” money?
(2) What did he do with the money? From what he said and did, how would you describe him as a person? Was it “too late” for repentance?
(3) Why did the chief priests and the elders not have the same sense of remorse, especially when being confronted by Judas’ change of heart?
(4) Judas’ ultimate response to his guilt was to hang himself. Was it repentance?
(5) What options did he have?
(6) Can you define, within the context of Judas’ actions, what repentance is and is not?
(7) From how the chief priests dealt with the “blood” money, what can you learn about the sins of such Pharisaic behaviors?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?
(1) In this segment, how did Pilate address Jesus publicly and why?
(2) Did Pilate truly believe that Jesus was the “King of the Jews” and the “Christ”?
(3) How could he tell? Did Jesus behave or look like one? Why not?
(4) Matthew said that the priests accused Jesus out of envy. What did the priests envy? What then can you learn about the destructive power of envy?
(5) The Bible says that even Pilate was amazed at Jesus and as much as he tried to free him, he was held responsible for the death of Jesus by the Apostles (see Acts 4:27). What was the sin of Pilate then (especially given his wife’s advice)?
(6) Although they might not be the same crowd that greeted Jesus as He entered into Jerusalem (chapter 21), the people and the priests would have anticipated the glorious arrival of Jesus as their Messiah or at least regarded Him as a great prophet (21:46). Why did they now change their tune completely and even desire His death? What kind of sin did theirs represent?
(7) A most notorious murderer was freed at the expense of the King of the Jews. What is the significance of this?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?
Throughout history, one of the most horrible crimes is committed by those in authority in abusing their power against the innocent. In suffering in the hands of the Roman soldiers who were known bullies, Jesus expressed His solidarity with those who are bullied and He did so as the Creator God.
(1) This passage details the mockery and insult inflicted by the soldiers on our Lord:
(2) Read the prophecy according to Psalm 22:12 and describe how you might feel if you were Jesus Christ, the Creator God in the hands of base sinners like the Roman soldiers.
(3) How much do you know of the process and cruelty of execution by the cross? Try to describe it.
(4) The scripture did not go into the details of the horrific process of crucifixion. Can you think of the reason why?
(5) Do you consider the incident of Simon from Cyrene an accident? What was its purpose (a) to Jesus, (b) to Simon and (c) to us today (i.e. what does it teach us about carrying the cross)?
(6) How might wine mixed with gall taste like? What might be the symbolic significance of this experience of Jesus?
(7) What kind of action was the dividing of the prisoner’s garment? When it happened to Jesus, what might be the added significance?
(8) Pilate’s inscription about who Jesus was might be his way of ridiculing the Jews, but as it turns out, it was a true description of Jesus. What does such an inscription on the cross of Jesus mean to you?
(9) What is the main message to you today and how can you respond to the suffering and love of Christ?
(1) We know of the two different reactions of the two robbers who were also nailed on the cross. What might account for the different reactions by the two? What kind of sin did the un-repenting robber represent?
(2) Matthew describes the mocking of the passers-by in vv. 39-44:
(3) The chief priests and the leaders had now achieved their goal. Why would they hurl insults at Jesus? How did they challenge Jesus? What kind of sin does theirs represent?
(4) While the gospel writers do not dwell on the physical sufferings of Christ, they do record the Seven Last Words of Jesus. In this passage, Matthew gives us the 4th Word on the Cross (and indirectly the 7th, see Lk. 23:46). How does it speak to you about the suffering of Christ?
(5) From the different groups of sinners that have been reflected upon above, do you see yourself in one of them? Which one and why?
(6) What then is the essential message of today and how may you apply it in your life?
(1) What was the significance of the tearing of the curtain of the temple (from top to bottom)? (See Heb. 10:19-20)
(2) If you were one of the priests who witnessed this incident, what would you think?
(3) Read the remarkable things that happened in vv. 52-53. Did they have to happen? Why or why not?
(4) Why would the centurion and those guarding with him exclaim, “Surely He was the Son of God!”?
(5) With these amazing developments, how did the chief priests and the Pharisees respond? Why?
(6) Matthew mentions the women who had been following Jesus from Galilee all the way to the foot of the cross. How would you describe their relationship with Jesus and their role in the passion of Christ?
(7) Contrast the burial of Jesus by Joseph and Nicodemus with what Mary of Bethany did back in 26:6-13? Both actions were commendable. Don’t you think so? Which was more meaningful, and why? How can you apply these to your life?
(8) What then is the essential message of today and how may you apply it in your life?
(1) At this point, try to describe the emotions of these women who believed in Jesus and followed Him all the way from Galilee.
(2) Why did the women venture into the graveyard so early in the morning? What did they want to do? Did they know if what they wanted to do was possible? How would you describe their action? Foolish or…?
(3) While the timing of the earthquake was not specifically mentioned, it appears that it happened right before or upon the arrival of the women.
(4) The messages from the angel to the women included:
(5) Since the angel has done his part, why did Jesus choose to appear to them again, saying basically the same thing?
(6) How differently did the women respond this time?
(7) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?
(1) Wasn’t what was witnessed by the guards sufficient to wake the chief priests up? What else did they think they needed in order to believe?
(2) What grave lesson can we learn from them about disbelief?
(3) From an objective point of view, how can one pick apart the story which they devised to accuse the disciples of stealing Jesus’ body?
(4) We know that the disciples did not go to Galilee right away (see Jn. 20:19-28). What do you think the reason might be?
(5) Why did Jesus choose to meet with them in Galilee after His resurrection?
(6) Now that they saw the risen Christ, what did they do when they met Him? What does it tell you about their new relationship with Christ?
(7) Now they could see, touch and talk to the risen Christ. Why did some of them still doubt? What was their doubt about?
(8) The answer to the preceding question may be found in Jesus’ reply, especially the first and last part of this reply.
(9) What is the significance of the connecting word, therefore?
(10) The main verb of the Great Commission is to “make disciples” accompanied by the participles of
How then should you understand the main crux of the Great Commission?
If we are to carry out the Great Commission faithfully, what does it entail?
How might such an understanding affect how you and your church do “evangelism”?
(11) In commanding us to baptize, Jesus uses one singular “name” to include the Father’s, Son’s and the Holy Spirit’s. What kind of theological significance does it carry?
(12) What is Matthew’s purpose in wrapping up his account of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the son of David and the son of Abraham (Matt. 1:1) like this?
(13) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?