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2005 Lenten Study Series: Matthew's Passion of Christ

The Handover of Christ

Read: Matthew 26:1-2; Isaiah 53:1-12

“As you know, the Passover is two days away–and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” ~ Matthew 26:2

1. What is the significance of Jesus having the first word? How would you describe the tone of his discourse?

2. Matthew introduces his Passion narrative with a key verb. Dale Brunner calls “handed over” (paradidotai) the ruling verb of the Passion Story. Since the same Greek word is translated in various ways in English, the significance of this verb may not be evident. In 26:2, 15, 16; 27:2, 18, 26, the verb is translated “handed over.” And in 26:21, 23, 24, 25, 45, 46; the same word is translated “betrayed.” In each of these handovers who is Jesus subject to?

3. In the Greek version of Isaiah 53 there are three handover passages that serve to clarify the meaning of the passion of Christ.

(1) “The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” literally reads, “The Lord has handed over to him the iniquity of us all” (53:6).

(2) “He poured out his soul to death,” literally reads, “He handed over his soul to death” (53:12).

(3) “He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors,” literally reads, “For the sake of their transgressions he was handed over” (53:12). Dale Brunner concludes, “In this verb Matthew wants his readers to hear divine sovereignty and Isaiah 53.” Compare the handovers in Matthew and Isaiah? Who is responsible for the handovers?

4. Why did the religious leaders want to handle Jesus on their time schedule? What did they seek to avoid? What makes their concerns especially ironic?

5. The chief priests and the elders of the people were doing in their little group what the nations have done through history (Psalm 2:1-2). Why did prestigious people meet together in a palace to plot the arrest and murder of Jesus?

6. How do you reconcile the fact that what the leaders sought to do slyly, God determined to do sovereignly (Psalm 2:4)?

7. How are we responsible for Jesus being handed over to be crucified?