24When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, 'I am guiltless of this man's blood. See to it yourselves.' [27:25] And all the people answered and said, 'His blood be on us and on our children.' [27:26] Then he released Barabbas to them, but having flogged Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
MAT 27:24-26
Pilate Washes His Hands
In the world it was spoken into
In the Roman judicial system, a governor like Pilate held absolute authority but was also expected to maintain public order. The term (thorybos) describes a chaotic uproar, a situation Pilate feared could escalate into a riot, threatening his political standing. Roman governors were judged by their ability to keep peace, and failure could lead to imperial reprimand. Pilate’s act of washing his hands, a Jewish custom symbolizing innocence (Deut 21:6-7), was a performative gesture aimed at the Jewish crowd, distancing himself from the decision. The term (athōos) underscores his claim of legal immunity, a Roman official’s attempt to absolve himself of responsibility. The crowd’s response, 'His blood be on us and on our children,' reflects a Jewish idiom accepting collective responsibility, likely rooted in covenantal language. The release of Barabbas, an insurrectionist, and the flogging (, phragellōō) of Jesus, a brutal Roman punishment, highlight the political pragmatism of Pilate, who prioritized Roman order over justice.
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How other translations render this
MAT 27:24
- KJV
- When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
- BSB
- When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this manʼs blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”
- Koinōnos
- When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, 'I am guiltless of this man's blood. See to it yourselves.
MAT 27:25
- KJV
- Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
- BSB
- All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”
- Koinōnos
- And all the people answered and said, 'His blood be on us and on our children.
MAT 27:26
- KJV
- Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
- BSB
- So Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.
- Koinōnos
- Then he released Barabbas to them, but having flogged Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MAT 27:24
- a riot:The word translated 'a riot' here refers to a confused noise or uproar from a crowd, emphasizing the chaotic and disorderly nature of the assembly rather than an organized rebellion.
- Guiltless:The term translated 'Guiltless' carried the sense of being scot-free or immune from punishment, highlighting Pilate's attempt to declare himself free from responsibility for the outcome.
MAT 27:25
- people:The word translated 'people' here often referred to a specific ethnic or national group, particularly the Jewish people, rather than just a general crowd of individuals.
MAT 27:26
- having flogged:The word translated 'having flogged' specifically refers to a severe Roman scourging, a brutal form of punishment often preceding crucifixion, not just a simple whipping.