Matthew 27:22

KJV

Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? [They] all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

KJV (with Strong's)

Pilate {G4091} saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, What {G5101} shall I do {G4160} then {G3767} with Jesus {G2424} which {G3588} is called {G3004} Christ {G5547}? They all {G3956} say {G3004} unto him {G846}, Let him be crucified {G4717}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Pilate said to them, "Then what should I do with Yeshua, called `the Messiah'?" They all said, "Put him to death on the stake! Put him to death on the stake!"

Berean Standard Bible

“What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!”

American Standard Version

Pilate saith unto them, What then shall I do unto Jesus who is called Christ? They all say, Let him be crucified.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 27:22 captures the dramatic climax of Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate, where the Roman governor, seeking to release Jesus whom he found innocent, directly asks the agitated crowd what he should do with "Jesus which is called Christ." The unified and vehement response from the multitude, incited by the religious leaders, is the chilling demand: "Let him be crucified." This pivotal moment reveals the profound rejection of the Messiah by His own people, the immense pressure on Pilate, and the unfolding of God's sovereign plan for salvation through the cross.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader Passion narrative in Matthew's Gospel, immediately following Pilate's offer to release either Jesus or Barabbas, a notorious prisoner. The chief priests and elders have successfully persuaded the crowds to demand Barabbas' release and Jesus' execution ([Matthew 27:20-21](/matthew/27-20-21 "Matthew 27:20-21 - The Crowd's Choice")). Pilate's question in [Matthew 27:22](/matthew/27-22 "Matthew 27:22 - Pilate's Question") represents his final, desperate attempt to avoid condemning an innocent man, highlighting the escalating tension and the irreversible momentum towards Jesus' crucifixion. The subsequent verses detail Pilate's symbolic hand-washing and his ultimate capitulation to the crowd's will ([Matthew 27:24-26](/matthew/27-24-26 "Matthew 27:24-26 - Pilate Washes His Hands")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem during the Passover feast, a time when Roman authorities were particularly wary of unrest due to the heightened nationalistic fervor among the Jewish populace. It was a custom, perhaps unique to Judea, for the Roman governor to release a prisoner at Passover ([Matthew 27:15](/matthew/27-15 "Matthew 27:15 - The Passover Custom")). Pilate, as the Roman prefect, held ultimate judicial authority, but he also had to maintain Roman order and avoid provoking a rebellion. The Jewish religious leaders, particularly the chief priests and elders, wielded significant influence over the populace, especially during religious festivals, and were deeply motivated to eliminate Jesus, whom they perceived as a threat to their authority and a blasphemer ([John 19:7](/john/19-7 "John 19:7 - The Jews' Accusation")). The crowd's demand for crucifixion, a brutal Roman method of execution, underscores the depth of their animosity, as stoning was the traditional Jewish method for blasphemy.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the **Rejection of the Messiah**, as the very people to whom Jesus came, and among whom He performed miracles and taught, vehemently reject His messianic claims and demand His death. This rejection, however, is paradoxically intertwined with **Divine Sovereignty and Human Culpability**, illustrating that while human sin and choice undeniably led to Jesus' condemnation, it was also part of God's predetermined plan for salvation ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Predetermined Plan")). The scene also highlights **Pilate's Moral Dilemma and Political Expediency**, as he struggles between his conviction of Jesus' innocence and his fear of a riot, ultimately prioritizing political stability over justice. Finally, the verse vividly portrays the dangerous power of **Mob Mentality**, where individual reason and conscience are overridden by collective, inflamed passion, leading to a profound miscarriage of justice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pilate (Greek, _Pilâtos'_):** This refers to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea from 26-36 AD. His name, "close-pressed, i.e. firm," ironically contrasts with his indecisiveness and capitulation in this pivotal moment, highlighting the human instrument through whom divine will was accomplished.
* **say (Greek, _légō'_):** This primary verb means "to lay forth" or "relate (in words), usually of systematic or set discourse." Here, it describes Pilate's deliberate and formal question, and the crowd's equally deliberate and unified response, emphasizing the weight and finality of their declarations.
* **Christ (Greek, _Christós'_):** Meaning "anointed" or "the Messiah," this title is an epithet of Jesus. Pilate's use of "which is called Christ" acknowledges Jesus' public identity and the controversial claim He embodied, forcing the crowd to directly confront His messianic status.
* **crucified (Greek, _stauróō'_):** Derived from the word for "cross," this verb means "to impale on the cross." The crowd's demand for this specific, brutal Roman execution method underscores their desire for Jesus' complete humiliation and eradication, rather than a mere death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?"**: This clause sets the scene, revealing Pilate's final attempt to shift responsibility and gauge the crowd's true intent. His question is a direct challenge, forcing a choice between Jesus, explicitly identified by His controversial title "Christ" (Messiah), and Barabbas. Pilate's query underscores his recognition of Jesus' innocence and his reluctance to condemn Him, yet it also exposes his weakness in the face of public pressure.
* **"They all say unto him, Let him be crucified."**: This clause delivers the chilling, unanimous verdict of the crowd. The "all" emphasizes the collective, overwhelming nature of their demand, indicating that the incitement by the chief priests and elders had been devastatingly effective. Their cry for crucifixion, the most agonizing and shameful form of execution, reveals the depth of their rejection and hatred, sealing Jesus' fate.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 27:22 is rich with literary devices that amplify its dramatic and theological impact. **Irony** pervades the scene: Pilate, the Roman authority, seeks to release an innocent man, while the Jewish people, awaiting their Messiah, demand His execution. The title "Christ" (Anointed One), meant to signify a deliverer, is used in the context of His condemnation. There is also profound **Foreshadowing** in the crowd's demand; their cry for crucifixion explicitly names the method of death that will become the central act of Christian redemption. The verse also employs **Contrast** between Pilate's hesitant question and the crowd's decisive, unified roar, highlighting the clash between individual conscience and mob mentality. The collective "They all" serves as a form of **Hyperbole** to emphasize the overwhelming, unified voice of rejection, creating a powerful sense of an unstoppable force.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse stands as a stark testament to humanity's capacity for rejecting divine truth and righteousness. The crowd's demand for crucifixion, despite Jesus' blameless life and miraculous works, highlights the depths of human sin and rebellion against God's chosen King. Theologically, it underscores the paradox of the cross: the greatest act of human injustice becomes the means of God's ultimate justice and mercy. While the crowd's actions demonstrate human culpability, they also unwittingly fulfill divine prophecy, revealing God's sovereign plan to bring salvation through the suffering and death of His Son. This moment is a crucial step in the unfolding of God's redemptive narrative, demonstrating that even the most heinous acts of human sin are ultimately woven into the tapestry of His saving purposes.

* [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant Despised")
* [Acts 3:13-15](/acts/3-13-15 "Acts 3:13-15 - Peter's Accusation to the Jews")
* [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 27:22 serves as a powerful mirror, inviting us to examine our own hearts and allegiances. It challenges us to consider whether we, like the crowd, are susceptible to popular opinion, societal pressure, or the influence of those who reject Christ, even when we know the truth. Are there areas in our lives where we might implicitly or explicitly "crucify" Jesus by denying His Lordship, compromising His truth, or prioritizing our comfort or reputation over His call? This verse calls believers to courageous conviction, urging us to stand firm for Christ even when it is unpopular or costly. It reminds us that true discipleship often involves embracing the one whom the world rejects and being willing to bear the reproach of Christ. Our response to Jesus, the "Christ," defines our eternal destiny, and this passage compels us to affirm Him as Lord, not just with our lips, but with our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, subtly or overtly, reject Christ's Lordship in my daily life, similar to the crowd's rejection?**
* **How does societal pressure or popular opinion influence my willingness to stand for biblical truth, even when it is unpopular?**
* **What does Pilate's dilemma teach me about the dangers of moral compromise and prioritizing convenience over conviction?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that embraces Jesus as the Christ, even when the world around me seeks to "crucify" His values and teachings?**

### FAQ
**Why did the crowd, who once welcomed Jesus, suddenly turn against Him and demand His crucifixion?**

Answer: The crowd's swift turn from acclaiming Jesus on Palm Sunday ([Matthew 21:8-9](/matthew/21-8-9 "Matthew 21:8-9 - The Triumphal Entry")) to demanding His crucifixion in [Matthew 27:22](/matthew/27-22 "Matthew 27:22 - The Crowd's Demand") can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the chief priests and elders actively incited the crowd, manipulating their emotions and opinions ([Matthew 27:20](/matthew/27-20 "Matthew 27:20 - The Priests Incite the Crowd")). Secondly, many in the crowd likely harbored a misunderstanding of Jesus' messianic mission, expecting a political liberator who would overthrow Roman rule, not a suffering servant ([John 6:15](/john/6-15 "John 6:15 - Jesus Withdraws from the Crowd")). When Jesus did not fulfill their nationalistic expectations and was instead arrested and presented as a common criminal, their disillusionment, coupled with the religious leaders' propaganda, turned their admiration into scorn and rage. The volatile atmosphere of Passover and the desire for a dramatic release (Barabbas) also contributed to their inflamed passions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:22, with its chilling demand for crucifixion, stands as a profound testament to the Christ-centered fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the very heart of the Gospel. The crowd's cry, "Let him be crucified," though born of human sin and rejection, was paradoxically the means by which God's eternal plan of redemption would be accomplished. Jesus, the "Christ" (Messiah), was not merely a victim of circumstance, but the willing Lamb of God, whose death was predetermined "before the foundation of the world" ([1 Peter 1:19-20](/1_peter/1-19-20 "1 Peter 1:19-20 - Christ's Precious Blood")). His crucifixion, demanded by the very people He came to save, fulfilled the prophecies of the suffering servant in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), who would be "despised and rejected by men" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")). This moment of ultimate human rejection paved the way for the ultimate divine embrace, as Jesus' death on the cross became the atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity, offering reconciliation with God to all who believe ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Thus, the world's condemnation of Jesus was God's chosen path to bring salvation, transforming the instrument of shame into the symbol of triumph and eternal life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 53:2

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him.

Isaiah 53:3

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Acts 13:38

Be it known unto you therefore, men [and] brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

John 19:14

And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

John 19:15

But they cried out, Away with [him], away with [him], crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

Isaiah 49:7

¶ Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, [and] his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, [and] the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.

Psalms 22:8

He trusted on the LORD [that] he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.