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Matthew 27 · Grade 5

It Was for Us

Name Date

Read and Think

Matthew 27 records the trial, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus. Matthew stresses Jesus' innocence: Judas confesses he betrayed innocent blood, Pilate's wife calls Him righteous, and Pilate finds no fault yet gives in to the crowd. Barabbas, a guilty prisoner, is released while the innocent Jesus is condemned, a vivid picture of substitution.

The mockery is full of irony. The soldiers dress Jesus as a king to ridicule Him, and the sign on the cross calls Him King of the Jews as a charge; yet He truly is the King. The leaders say He saved others but cannot save Himself. In fact, it is precisely by not saving Himself that He saves others. Many details echo Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53.

At Jesus' death, God Himself answers. Darkness recalls judgment. Jesus' cry of forsakenness shows Him bearing the separation from God that sin deserves. The temple curtain, which separated people from God's presence, is torn from top to bottom, opening the way to God. A Gentile centurion confesses Him as the Son of God. Faithful women watch, and Joseph of Arimathea gives his tomb, which is sealed and guarded. But this was not the end: three days later, Jesus rose from the dead (Matthew 28).

Show What You Know

  1. Name two people in this chapter who testify to Jesus' innocence.

  2. How is the release of Barabbas a picture of substitution?

  3. Explain the irony of the leaders saying He saved others, but he can't save himself.

  4. What is the meaning of the temple curtain tearing from top to bottom?

  5. Why is it significant that a Gentile centurion confessed Jesus as Son of God?

Crossword

426531

Across

  1. Where Jesus' body was put.
  2. Where Jesus died.
  3. The Roman governor.

Down

  1. The crowd chose him to be freed.
  2. A rich man who put Jesus' body in a tomb.
  3. The temple ____ tore in two.

Think About It

  1. Jesus bore the separation from God that sin deserves. How does knowing this affect the way you think about your own sin and God's forgiveness?

  2. Why is it important that Matthew carefully records the burial and the guarded tomb?

Memory Verse

“Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.”

Matthew 27:51 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • What does it mean that Jesus took the punishment we deserved?
  • Because of Jesus, you can come close to God. How can you pray with confidence this week?
  • What is one specific way you could live out this chapter this week?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.