The King On The Cross - Matthew 27.11-44 Series

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.”