Keraia
Matthew 27

Matthew 27:25

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

Translations

Modern
All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”
Traditional
Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
Literal
And answering, all the people, said, “His blood be on us and on our children!”
Latin
Et respondens universus populus, dixit: Sanguis ejus super nos, et super filios nostros.

Original

Greek
English
All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

Notes

Matthew 27:25

  • All the people (see 21:43): This does not mean every living Jewish person. Instead, it refers to those who urged the condemnation of Jesus. They represented all of Israel who disbelieved Jesus. Their actions led to consequences for the entire nation, like the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.

  • His blood be on us and on our children! (see 23:35; 2 Samuel 1:16; 14:9; Jeremiah 51:35; Acts 5:28; 18:6; 20:26): Some Christians have misunderstood and misused this verse as a basis for persecuting Jews. But it is not a general accusation against all Jewish people.

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

Glossary

Barabbas Blood Christ Gospel of Matthew Judge Passion Pontius Pilate Procurator

Topics

Barabbas: A Prisoner Released by Pilate Complicity: Pilate, in the Death of Jesus Court: Corrupt Demagogism: Pilate Impenitence: General Scriptures Concerning Injustice: Pilate Jesus, the Christ: Sufferings of Jesus, the Christ: Tried in Front of Pilate (In Jerusalem) Judge: Kings and Other Rulers As National Sins: Bring Down National Judgments Persecution of Jesus Politics: Pilate, Condemning Jesus to Gratify the Clamoring People Public Opinion: Corrupt Yielding To by Pilate Responsibility: Assumed by the Jewish Leaders for the Death of Jesus Rulers: Wicked: Pilate, Delivering up Jesus for Crucifixion The Jews: Imprecated the Blood of Christ Upon Themselves and Their The Jews: Punished For: Imprecating Upon Themselves the Blood of Christ Verdict: Against Jesus