Keraia
Matthew 27

Matthew 27:23

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas · Matthew 27:15–23
Read Matthew 27

Translations

Modern
“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”
Traditional
And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
Literal
And he said, “For what evil did He commit?” And they kept crying out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”
Latin
Dicunt omnes: Crucifigatur. Ait illis præses: Quid enim mali fecit? At illi magis clamabant dicentes: Crucifigatur.

Original

Greek
English
“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”

Notes

Matthew 27:11–26

The Roman trial included an initial hearing before Pilatee (Matthew 27:11–14), then one before Herod Antipas (Luke 23:6–16), and a second hearing with Pilate (Matthew 27:15–26).

Matthew 26:57–27:26

The Gospels describe Jesus having five legal hearings:

  1. an informal hearing with Annas (John 18:13–24);

  2. a night hearing with the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:59–66);

  3. a morning hearing with the Sanhedrin (Matthew 27:1–2);

  4. a hearing with Herod Antipas (Luke 23:6–12); and

  5. a two-part trial with Pilate (Matthew 27:11–31; see Luke 23:6–12).

These hearings form two main trials, a Jewish trial and a Roman trial.

Theme notes and profiles

Pontius Pilate

Events

Parallels

Mark 15:6–11 Luke 23:13–25

Glossary

Barabbas Christ Gospel of Matthew Judge Passion Procurator Sinlessness of Christ

Topics

Barabbas: A Prisoner Released by Pilate Complicity: Pilate, in the Death of Jesus Court: Corrupt Demagogism: Pilate Hatred to Christ: Jews Jesus, the Christ: Tried in Front of Pilate (In Jerusalem) Judge: Kings and Other Rulers As Politics: Pilate, Condemning Jesus to Gratify the Clamoring People Public Opinion: Corrupt Yielding To by Pilate Rulers: Wicked: Pilate, Delivering up Jesus for Crucifixion The Death of Christ: Demanded by the Jews