2025.11.02. Sermon Notes. THE KING ON THE CROSS - MATTHEW 27.11-44
William Akehurst, HSWC
SCRIPTURES: Matthew 27:11-44, Isaiah 53:7, Genesis 3:18, Psalm 22:7-18, John 18:36-37, Luke 23:39-43, Romans 5:8, Philippians 2:8-11, 1 Peter 2:23, Hebrews 12:2
KEY WORDS: King, Crucify, crucifixion, mock, ridicule, innocent, just, redeem, ransom, blood, suffer, endure, cross, obedience, salvation, crown, fulfill
BIG IDEA: JESUS, the rightful King, willingly endured injustice, mockery, and the cross to fulfill GOD’s redemptive plan - proving that true power is found in humble obedience and sacrificial love.
OPENING THOUGHT:
Every king in history has worn a crown - but none like this King.
JESUS, the KING of GLORY, wore a crown of thorns. HE was enthroned not on gold but on a cross. And through that cross, HE conquered sin and death.
This passage walks us from the courtroom to the cross, showing how the KING of Heaven was rejected by men but victorious in obedience.
1. HE SILENT KING (vv. 11–14)
Matthew 27:11-14 Jesus Faces Pilate
11-14 Jesus Faces Pilate
11 Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” 12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.
13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” 14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
BIG IDEA:
JESUS’ silence before His accusers reveals divine strength and trust in the FATHER’s plan.
EXPLAINED:
JESUS stands before Pilate, accused by the religious elite. Pilate asks, “Are You the King of the Jews?” JESUS calmly replies, “It is as you say.”
Then, as the accusations pour in, He remains silent. Pilate marvels - he’s never seen such composure.
Why silent? Because He is fulfilling prophecy.
• John 18:36-37
36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
• Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
Silence can be powerful. It’s not the silence of defeat but the silence of self-control.
JESUS doesn’t need to defend Himself because truth doesn’t depend on human approval.
ILLUSTRATION:
A diamond doesn’t argue with the counterfeit - it simply shines.
Likewise, JESUS lets His purity speak louder than words.
REFLECTION:
• How do I respond when falsely accused?
• Do I trust GOD enough to be silent and let Him defend my name?
• True strength isn’t in loudness - it’s in quiet confidence in GOD’s justice.
POINT:
From the silence of innocence, we move to the sound of injustice - where the guilty man walks free, and the innocent One takes his place.
PRAYER PAUSE:
Lord, help me to rest in Your defense when I am wronged. Teach me the strength of silence and the power of surrender.
2. THE SUBSTITUTE KING (vv. 15–26)
15-26 Taking the Place of Barabbas
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. 16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.
19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”
20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”
They said, “Barabbas!”
22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”
They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”
23 Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?”
But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”
24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”
25 And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”
26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.
BIG IDEA:
JESUS was condemned so that the guilty could go free.
EXPLAINED:
At Passover, Pilate offers to release one prisoner. The people choose Barabbas… a murderer… over JESUS.
Barabbas’ name means “son of the FATHER.”
The guilty son is freed because the true Son of the FATHER takes his place.
Pilate knows JESUS is innocent but caves to the crowd’s pressure. His wife’s dream warns him - “Have nothing to do with that just Man” - but fear wins over faith.
Pilate washes his hands, but water can’t cleanse guilt.
“What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of JESUS.”
The crowd cries, “His blood be on us and on our children!” - a statement of judgment that GOD turns into grace through the cross.
ILLUSTRATION:
Imagine Barabbas - chains removed, walking free, looking back at JESUS being led away.
That’s us. We are Barabbas. Freed not by merit but by mercy.
REFLECTION:
• Have I recognized that I was Barabbas - set free by JESUS’ sacrifice?
• Do I, like Pilate, compromise truth for comfort?
• Do I yield to the crowd or stand for righteousness?
POINT:
The crowd rejects their King, and the soldiers mock Him. But even their mockery will declare His majesty.
PRAYER PAUSE:
Thank You, Lord JESUS, for taking my place. Keep me from compromising truth for acceptance. Let Your blood be upon me for cleansing, not condemnation.
3. THE MOCKED KING (vv. 27–31)
27-31 The Soldiers Mock Jesus
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. 28 And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on 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!” 30 Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.
BIG IDEA:
The King of Heaven was mocked and humiliated, yet crowned for our redemption.
EXPLAINED:
The soldiers gather the whole garrison, about 600 men, to mock JESUS.
They strip Him, put a scarlet robe on Him, twist thorns into a crown, and place a reed in His hand. Then they kneel and say, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
Each act meant to ridicule actually reveals truth:
• The robe: He is the righteous King.
• The thorns: He bears the curse of sin (Genesis 3:18).
Genesis 3:18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you,
And you shall eat the herb of the field.
• The reed: A mock scepter, but He rules with a rod of righteousness.
• The mock worship: One day every knee will bow (Philippians 2:10-11).
Philippians 2:8-11 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
After mocking Him, they beat Him and lead Him away. Yet He never condemns them in return.
ILLUSTRATION:
When gold is refined by fire, it shines brighter. The fire here is mockery, and it reveals the purity of CHRIST’s love.
REFLECTION:
• Have I ever mocked CHRIST - not with words, but by my actions or indifference?
• Does my worship come from sincerity or routine?
• Can I endure mockery for the sake of CHRIST’s name?
POINT:
Now the King, crowned in thorns, carries His cross to the hill of suffering - where prophecy meets fulfillment.
PRAYER PAUSE:
King JESUS, forgive my shallow worship. Thank You for wearing my shame as Your crown. Help me honor You with wholehearted devotion.
4. THE CRUCIFIED KING (vv. 32–37)
32-44 The King on a Cross
32 Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. 33 And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull,
34 they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink.
35 Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet:
“They divided My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.”
36 Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. 37 And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him:
THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
BIG IDEA:
The cross, though a symbol of death, became the throne of redemption.
EXPLAINED:
On the road to Golgotha, a man named Simon of Cyrene is compelled to carry the cross. He bears it unwillingly, yet his name is remembered for eternity.
Sometimes obedience begins with inconvenience.
At Golgotha (“Place of the Skull”), they offer JESUS sour wine mixed with gall - a numbing agent - but He refuses. He chooses full suffering, full obedience.
Then, as they crucify Him, the soldiers cast lots for His garments - fulfilling
Psalms 22:18 They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.
Above His head reads: “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
What they mean as mockery is GOD’s declaration of truth.
ILLUSTRATION:
The cross was Rome’s method of humiliation - but Heaven turned it into the world’s greatest monument of love.
It’s as if GOD took the worst symbol of man’s cruelty and made it the emblem of salvation.
REFLECTION:
• Like Simon, am I willing to carry the cross, even when it’s inconvenient?
• Do I see the cross as defeat or as divine victory?
• Each fulfilled prophecy reminds me - GOD always keeps His Word.
POINT:
From beneath the cross, voices of mockery rise again. But what they see as weakness is the greatest act of power ever displayed.
PRAYER PAUSE:
Lord, thank You for enduring the cross. Teach me to bear my own with courage. Help me see victory through obedience.
5. THE REJECTED KING (vv. 38–44)
38-44 The Rejected KING
38 Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.
39 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, 42 “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. 43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”
44 Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.
BIG IDEA:
The King’s greatest victory appeared to be His greatest defeat.
EXPLAINED:
Two thieves hang beside JESUS. The crowd and religious leaders hurl insults:
“If You are the Son of GOD, come down from the cross!”
They don’t realize that staying on the cross is what saves them.
“He saved others; Himself He cannot save.” - And that’s true.
He couldn’t save Himself and save us.
Even the robbers mock Him - until one thief’s heart changes (Luke 23:39-43).
• Luke 23:39-43
39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
What they see as weakness is actually love’s ultimate strength.
Their ridicule fulfills Psalm 22:7-8:
• Psalms 22:7-8
7 All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 “He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”
ILLUSTRATION:
A seed looks buried - but it’s really planted.
JESUS wasn’t being buried in defeat - He was being planted in victory.
REFLECTION:
• Do I believe when GOD’s plan looks like failure?
• Am I willing to stay on the cross He’s given me until His work is done?
• Have I mocked GOD’s plan by demanding He “prove Himself” my way?
PRAYER PAUSE:
FATHER, help me trust You in the darkness. When Your plan seems hidden, remind me that victory often comes disguised as defeat.
CONCLUSION
From the courtroom to the cross, JESUS reveals the heart of the King:
• Silent in strength.
• Substituting for sinners.
• Mocked in majesty.
• Crucified in prophecy.
• Rejected in victory.
The inscription above His head “This is JESUS, the King of the Jews” still declares truth today:
This is JESUS, the King of Kings.
This is JESUS, the Savior of the world.
This is JESUS, the Redeemer who took my place.
When the world mocks your faith or when life feels like Golgotha, remember: The King still reigns. His crown of thorns became the crown of glory.
• Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
• Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
CLOSING PRAYER:
HEAVENLY FATHER,
We stand in awe at the cross of JESUS, our KING. We see HIS silence in the face of accusation, HIS willingness to suffer for the guilty, HIS humility under mockery, and HIS obedience unto death. LORD, let the power of the cross penetrate our hearts today.
Forgive us for the times we have been like the crowd, choosing comfort over righteousness, or like Barabbas, living in freedom without gratitude. Forgive us for mocking CHRIST with our indifference, pride, or disobedience.
Thank YOU, JESUS, for taking our place, for bearing our sins, and for showing us the true meaning of kingship - a kingship of love, sacrifice, and redemption. Teach us to follow YOU faithfully, even when the path is hard, misunderstood, or opposed.
Empower us by YOUR SPIRIT to carry our crosses with courage, to trust YOUR plan when life seems like defeat, and to worship YOU in truth and humility. May our lives proclaim that YOU are the risen KING, the SAVIOR of the world, and the ONE worthy of all honor, glory, and praise.
We ask this in the Name of JESUS CHRIST, our LORD and Redeemer.
Amen.
COMMUNION PRAYER:
LORD JESUS,
YOU are the KING who died for me, WHO bore my shame and took my place.
Today, I choose to follow YOU, to trust YOUR plan, and to carry the cross YOU’VE given me.
Cleanse me of my sins, strengthen my faith, and fill my life with YOUR love and obedience.
I surrender my heart to YOU, JESUS. Be my LORD, my SAVIOR, my KING.
Amen.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
Bill
HYMNS
• 58 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
• 122 Crown Him with Many Crowns
• 70 - O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
• 59 JESUS Paid It All
KEY WORD STUDY Matthew 27:11-44
1. KING
Greek: ßas??e?? (basileus)
Meaning: Ruler, sovereign, one possessing authority and dominion.
Insight: Jesus stood before Pilate as the true Basileus; the King not of political power but of divine purpose. Though mocked with a crown of thorns, His kingship was confirmed through the cross.
John 18:36-37
36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
Philippians 2:9-11
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
2. CRUCIFY / CRUCIFIXION
Greek: sta???? (stauroo)
Meaning: To affix to a cross, to put to death by nailing to a wooden stake.
Insight: The cross was Rome’s instrument of shame; God transformed it into the instrument of salvation. The crucifixion fulfilled prophecy (Psalm 22:16-18) and revealed that life comes through death.
Psalms 22:16-18
16 For dogs have surrounded Me;
The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.
They pierced My hands and My feet;
17 I can count all My bones.
They look and stare at Me.
18 They divide My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.
3. MOCK / RIDICULE
Greek: ?µpa??? (empaizo)
Meaning: To ridicule, deride, or make sport of someone.
Insight: Used for how soldiers and religious leaders “mocked” Jesus (vv. 29, 31, 41). What was intended to humiliate instead magnified His glory; the mocked King became the exalted Lord.
Matthew 27:29 When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on 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!”
Matthew 27:31 And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.
Matthew 27:41-42
41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, 42 “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.
4. INNOCENT / JUST
Greek: d??a??? (dikaios)
Meaning: Righteous, blameless, morally upright.
Insight: Pilate’s wife calls Jesus “that just Man” (v.19). Jesus’ innocence underscores the substitutionary nature of His suffering—the Righteous for the unrighteous (1 Peter 3:18).
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit
5. REDEEM / RANSOM
Greek: ??t??? (lutroo)
Meaning: To release by paying a price; to purchase freedom.
Insight: Barabbas’ release symbolizes redemption; Jesus became the ransom (lutron) for sinners, exchanging His life for the guilty (Mark 10:45, Titus 2:14).
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
6. BLOOD
Greek: a?µa (haima)
Meaning: Blood; symbolic of life given in sacrifice.
Insight: The crowd cries, “His blood be on us.” Unknowingly, they invoke the very means of atonement. The shed blood of Christ cleanses, covers, and redeems (Hebrews 9:22, Ephesians 1:7).
Hebrews 9:22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
7. SUFFER / ENDURE
Greek: p?s?? (pascho)
Meaning: To experience pain, undergo suffering.
Insight: Jesus’ suffering was not accidental, it was essential. Through suffering He became the perfect sacrifice and example of obedience (Hebrews 5:8-9).
Hebrews 5:8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
8. CROSS
Greek: sta???? (stauros)
Meaning: An upright wooden stake; the symbol of execution.
Insight: What symbolized death for the world became life for believers. The stauros is now the mark of discipleship “Take up your cross and follow Me” .
Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
9. OBEDIENCE
Greek: ?pa??? (hypakoe)
Meaning: Submissive compliance, attentive hearing, responding to authority.
Insight: Jesus’ obedience unto death (Philippians 2:8) reversed Adam’s disobedience. Through His submission, He opened the way for our salvation.
Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
10. SALVATION
Greek: s?t???a (soteria)
Meaning: Deliverance, preservation, safety from sin and death.
Insight: What appeared to be defeat at the cross was in fact victory for mankind. Jesus’ suffering secured eternal soteria for all who believe (Hebrews 2:10).
Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11. CROWN
Greek: st?fa??? (stephanos)
Meaning: A victor’s wreath or crown.
Insight: The crown of thorns symbolized curse and shame (Genesis 3:18). Christ bore it so that believers could receive the stephanos tes doxes, the crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4).
1 Peter 5:4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
12. FULFILL
Greek: p????? (pleroo)
Meaning: To complete, accomplish, or bring to full measure.
Insight: Every detail of the crucifixion fulfills Old Testament prophecy. Jesus didn’t fail, He fulfilled all righteousness and every promise (Matthew 5:17).
Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
