Pilate, despite knowing Jesus was innocent and even wanting to release him, was still trying to manipulate the crowd rather than truly seeking justice. He "addressed them again" – not to plead for Jesus, but to re-pose the question of who they wanted released, revealing his internal struggle between his conscience and the escalating pressure.
Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Pilate, wanting to let Jesus go after finding no fault in him, attempts to sway the crowd one last time by asking them to choose between Jesus and Barabbas, a known criminal. Despite Pilate's efforts and even a warning from his wife, the chief priests and elders have incited the crowd to demand Barabbas' release and Jesus' crucifixion. This leads to Pilate reluctantly handing Jesus over to their will.
Why did Pilate, the Roman governor, repeatedly try to release Jesus, even knowing he was innocent?
Pilate's actions reveal a man caught between his conscience and the pressure of the crowd.
Declaring Innocence
Luke shows Pilate declaring, 'I find no fault in this man' (Luke 23:4). He repeats this assertion, even after Jesus is interrogated by Herod (Luke 23:15). This wasn't just a casual remark; it was Pilate's official judgment based on the evidence presented.
The Custom of Release
Pilate attempts to use the Passover custom of releasing a prisoner to appease the crowd (Luke 23:17). He offers them a choice: Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and murderer, or Jesus. His intention is clear: by contrasting Jesus with a truly wicked criminal, he hopes the crowd will choose Jesus' freedom.
Personal Conviction vs. Public Pressure
Despite his conviction of Jesus' innocence, Pilate is swayed by the escalating demands of the crowd. His repeated attempts to release Jesus highlight his internal conflict. He wants to do the right thing, but the fear of a riot or of further trouble with the Jewish leaders weighs heavily on him.
How did the crowd, influenced by their leaders, become so unified in demanding Jesus' death?
The passage reveals the dangerous power of a manipulated crowd and the devastating consequences of mass hysteria.
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Stirred Up by Leaders
Luke explicitly states that the chief priests and elders 'persuaded the multitude' to demand Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus (Luke 23:13, often implied in verses around 20:23). They actively worked to shape public opinion against Jesus.
The Power of Suggestion
Once the crowd's direction was set, their cries became unified and intense. Pilate's questions, 'Which of them do you wish that I should release to you?' and 'What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?' are met with a single, deafening roar: 'Barabbas!' and 'Crucify him!' This shows how easily a crowd can be swayed and how their collective voice can drown out reason and justice.
A Choice for Chaos
By choosing Barabbas, an insurrectionist, over Jesus, the crowd essentially chose a path of rebellion and violence. This decision ultimately led to greater judgment upon them, as Calvin points out, contrasting their choice with what they should have considered.
Understand the original words
Iēsoun · Greek/Hebrew Proper Noun
The Greek name for the historical figure Yeshua of Nazareth, who is the central figure of the Christian faith, believed to be the Son of God and the Messiah.
staurou · Greek Verb
A specific, brutal form of capital punishment used by the Romans, consisting of nailing or binding a victim to a cross until death; it represents the ultimate humiliation and physical suffering, which Jesus endured for the atonement of sins.
kakon · Greek Adjective/Noun
A moral or ethical wrong, a transgression against God's law, or wicked conduct that violates divine or human standards. It often denotes behavior that is inherently harmful or contrary to the character of God.
aition · Greek Noun
A state of being responsible for an offense or crime; a legal or moral culpability before a judge. In a biblical context, it often refers to the absence of moral defect or legal transgression.
staurōthē · Greek Verb
To put to death by nailing or binding to a cross. It was a brutal form of capital punishment reserved by the Romans for slaves, rebels, and the lowest criminals, involving immense suffering and humiliation.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry and Popularity
Jesus' teachings and miracles gained a large following, but also provoked the opposition of religious leaders.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Arrest and Trial
Jesus is arrested after the Last Supper, tried by the Sanhedrin, and then brought before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.
c. AD 30— this verse
Pilate's Attempts to Release Jesus
Pilate, convinced of Jesus' innocence, attempts to release him, first by offering a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, and later by suggesting a scourging.
c. AD 30
The Crowd Demands Crucifixion
Incited by the chief priests, the crowd rejects Barabbas and demands that Jesus be crucified, overriding Pilate's efforts.
c. AD 30
Jesus is Condemned and Crucified
Despite his own judgment and his wife's warning, Pilate succumbs to the pressure and hands Jesus over to be crucified.
This passage shows how Pilate's attempts to appease the crowd and the chief priests ultimately failed, highlighting the immense pressure he was under and his inability to stand firm for Jesus' innocence.
Matthew 27:23-24These verses powerfully illustrate Pilate's struggle and his ultimate capitulation to the crowd's demands, washing his hands as a symbolic act of disclaiming responsibility for Jesus' death.
1 Peter 2:22This verse directly states Jesus 'committed no sin,' underscoring the innocence that Pilate recognized but ultimately failed to uphold due to external pressures.
Proverbs 29:25This proverb speaks directly to the weakness demonstrated by Pilate, showing how the fear of human opinion can lead even a ruler to act against what is right.
pooleLuke 23:20: "Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them."
See Poole on "Luke 23:1"
vincentLuke 23:20: "Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them."
Spake (προσεφώνησεν)Addressed. Compare Acts 21:40; Acts 22:2. Always in the New Testament in the sense of to accost, whether an individual or a crowd.
Pilate, despite knowing Jesus was innocent and even wanting to release him, was still trying to manipulate the crowd rather than truly seeking justice. He "addressed them again" – not to plead for Jesus, but to re-pose the question of who they wanted released, revealing his internal struggle between his conscience and the escalating pressure.
Pilate, wanting to let Jesus go after finding no fault in him, attempts to sway the crowd one last time by asking them to choose between Jesus and Barabbas, a known criminal. Despite Pilate's efforts and even a warning from his wife, the chief priests and elders have incited the crowd to demand Barabbas' release and Jesus' crucifixion. This leads to Pilate reluctantly handing Jesus over to their will.
Pilate, wanting to let Jesus go after finding no fault in him, attempts to sway the crowd one last time by asking them to choose between Jesus and Barabbas, a known criminal. Despite Pilate's efforts and even a warning from his wife, the chief priests and elders have incited the crowd to demand Barabbas' release and Jesus' crucifixion. This leads to Pilate reluctantly handing Jesus over to their will.
"Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish an…" — Pilate, despite knowing Jesus was innocent and even wanting to release him, was still trying to manipulate the crowd rather than truly seeking justice. He "addressed them again" – not to plead for Je…
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Last reviewed October 2026
