Keraia
Matthew 27

Matthew 27:24

Pilate Washes His Hands · Matthew 27:24–26
Read Matthew 27

Translations

Modern
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 man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
And Pilate, having seen that it availed nothing, but rather a riot is arising, having taken water, he washed the hands before the crowd, saying, “I am guiltless of the blood of this man. For yourselves you will see.”
Latin
Videns autem Pilatus quia nihil proficeret, sed magis tumultus fieret: accepta aqua, lavit manus coram populo, dicens: Innocens ego sum a sanguine justi hujus: vos videritis.

Original

Greek
English
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 man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”

Notes

Matthew 27:24

You bear the responsibility: The priests told Judas the same thing (Matthew 27:4).

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 15:12–15

People

Pilate: Roman governor who presided over Jesus' trial

Glossary

Barabbas Blood Christ Crucifixion Gospel of Matthew Hand Judge Passion Pontius Pilate Procurator Sinlessness of Christ

Topics

Ablution of the Hands, As a Token of Innocency Barabbas: A Prisoner Released by Pilate Blood is the Life Complicity: Pilate, in the Death of Jesus Court: Corrupt Demagogism: Pilate Government: Corruption in Pilate, in Delivering Jesus to Death in Order to Please the Clamoring Multitude Hand: Washing of, a Symbol of Innocency Hypocrisy: Pilate Injustice: Pilate Innocency: Professed by Pilate Innocency: Signified by Washing the Hands Jesus, the Christ: Names, Appellations, and Titles of: Just Man, Just Person, Just One Jesus, the Christ: Sufferings of Jesus, the Christ: Tried in Front of Pilate (In Jerusalem) Judge: Corrupt: Pilate Judge: Kings and Other Rulers As Magistrates: Wicked: Pilate Murder: Mode of Clearing Those Suspected of Politics: Pilate, Condemning Jesus to Gratify the Clamoring People Public Opinion: Corrupt Yielding To by Pilate Purification: Washing Hands in Water, Symbolical of Innocency Responsibility: Attempts to Shift: Pontius Pilate Rulers: Wicked: Pilate, Delivering up Jesus for Crucifixion The Hands were Washed in Token of Innocency Verdict: Against Jesus Washing of Hands, a Token of Innocence