The Passion narrative, as described in the Gospel of Matthew, is keen to drive home two particular points. Firstly, throughout his Gospel, Matthew is at pains to demonstrate Jesus as fulfilling the prophecy of Scripture. At the time of the arrest and the use of the thirty pieces of silver, we are reminded that these things took place to fulfil scripture. Secondly, this particular Gospel reading emphasises the innocence of Jesus throughout the Passion narrative: he is ‘sold out’ by one of his followers; his trial before the Sanhedrin is a farce; his most loyal follower denies association with him; Pilate declares himself innocent of Jesus’ blood and the crowd accepts the consequences of their actions. At no point is any hint of guilt cast over Jesus. He is an innocent whose fate has been manipulated by others. In this Gospel there is no conversation between Jesus and the criminals between whom he is crucified. There is no suggestion that Jesus too is a criminal who is deserving of his fate. His innocence is manifest. The actions of those who plot against Jesus to seek his downfall actually serve to bring about his purpose. No other outcome was possible. Matthew assures us, his readers, that the death of Jesus was no accident; it was intended from the very beginning.