Matthew 27:24

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].

When {G1161} Pilate {G4091} saw {G1492} that {G3754} he could prevail {G5623} nothing {G3762}, but {G235} that rather {G3123} a tumult {G2351} was made {G1096}, he took {G2983} water {G5204}, and washed {G633} his hands {G5495} before {G561} the multitude {G3793}, saying {G3004}, I am {G1510} innocent {G121} of {G575} the blood {G129} of this {G5127} just person {G1342}: see {G3700} ye {G5210} to it.

When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, "My hands are clean of this man's blood; it's your responsibility."

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.”

So when Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but rather that a tumult was arising, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man; see ye to it.

Context

Matthew 27:24 details a pivotal moment during the trial of Jesus Christ before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. Leading up to this verse, Pilate had repeatedly sought to release Jesus, finding no fault in Him worthy of death. He even offered the crowd a choice between Jesus and a notorious prisoner named Barabbas, hoping they would choose Jesus (Matthew 27:17). However, under the strong influence and incitement of the chief priests and elders, the multitude clamored for Barabbas' release and Jesus' crucifixion. Faced with a growing uproar and the threat of a riot, Pilate, primarily concerned with maintaining Roman order and his own political standing, made a fateful decision.

Key Themes

  • Pilate's Abdication of Responsibility: Despite his personal conviction of Jesus' innocence (as also noted in John 19:4), Pilate ultimately caved to external pressure. His act of washing his hands was a desperate, symbolic attempt to absolve himself of guilt in the unjust condemnation of an innocent man. It highlights the moral cowardice of prioritizing political expediency over justice.
  • The Symbolism of Hand-Washing: In both Jewish and Roman customs, washing hands could signify ritual purity or a declaration of innocence concerning a crime, particularly bloodshed. For instance, the Old Testament law outlines a procedure for elders to wash their hands to declare innocence in the case of an unsolved murder (Deuteronomy 21:6-7). Pilate's public performance of this act before the multitude was a dramatic gesture, attempting to shift the moral blame from himself to the crowd.
  • The Tumult and Crowd Pressure: The verse notes that "rather a tumult was made," indicating a violent, disorderly commotion. This illustrates the intense pressure Pilate was under from the agitated crowd, manipulated by the religious leaders, who were determined to see Jesus crucified.
  • The Injustice Against a "Just Person": Pilate explicitly refers to Jesus as "this just person," acknowledging His blamelessness. This admission underscores the profound injustice of the proceedings and the conscious decision to condemn an innocent individual.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "washed his hands" (Greek: enipsato tas cheiras) is a literal description of Pilate taking water and performing a symbolic act. While he physically cleansed his hands, the act was meant to convey a moral cleansing – a declaration that he was clean of the "blood of this just person." However, this external ritual could not truly remove his internal culpability for participating in the unjust execution. The word "tumult" (Greek: thorubos) denotes a noisy, agitated crowd, emphasizing the escalating chaos Pilate faced.

Practical Application

This verse offers a powerful lesson on moral responsibility and the danger of compromising conviction. Pilate's actions demonstrate that outward declarations of innocence do not erase internal guilt when one allows fear, political pressure, or desire for popularity to override truth and justice. Believers are called to stand firm in their convictions, even when facing significant opposition, remembering that true innocence comes from God, not from human rituals or the shifting opinions of the crowd. The verse also serves as a stark reminder of the weight of collective decisions and the potential for a mob mentality to lead to grave injustice.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 26:6

    ¶ I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:

  • Matthew 27:4

    Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What [is that] to us? see thou [to that].

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21

    For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

  • Deuteronomy 21:6

    And all the elders of that city, [that are] next unto the slain [man], shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:

  • Deuteronomy 21:8

    Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them.

  • Matthew 26:5

    But they said, Not on the feast [day], lest there be an uproar among the people.

  • John 19:4

    Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

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