#this is probably really obvious to people who've been to church lol

[cedarxwing]

We all know that Matthew set up the pool scene as a reference to the hanging of Judas (Matthew 27:3-10), inspired by Hannibal's own lecture from the novel and Antipasto.

Then Matthew complicates things by duct taping Hannibal's arms to a broken broom pole, making him look like Jesus. Judas is never depicted in the crucifixion pose (he's normally hanging from a tree branch), so the show is obviously implying that Hannibal is playing a sacrificial/savior role in this episode (at least in the eyes of Jack and Alana).

But then Matthew keeps spreading his arms out in mockery. I don't know why I never put this together before, but he's totally supposed to be the impenitent thief!

Jesus was crucified along with two bandits. The one on his right was penitent and asked for Jesus to remember him in heaven. The one on his left mocked Jesus with the rest of the crowd, saying that if he was really the son of God, he should be able to save himself. Matthew is standing on Hannibal's left in both of those shots, and there's an empty spot to Hannibal's right where the penitent thief would stand if he was present. How fun!