And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text highlights Jesus being "bound" again before being handed over to Pilate. This detail suggests that while He was likely unbound during the Sanhedrin's hasty night trial, He was restrained anew to ensure His secure transport to the Roman governor, underscoring the authorities' determination to see Him condemned.
And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Having condemned Jesus in a clandestine night trial, the chief priests and elders, now with the morning light, bind Him and hand Him over to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. This action seeks to legitimize their decision by bringing in the Roman authority, as the Jewish council no longer had the power to execute sentences themselves. Pilate, known for his harsh rule and insensitivity to Jewish customs, was the one to whom their accusations would be brought.
Why would the religious leaders, who had just condemned Jesus, need to hand him over to the Roman governor?
The Jewish Sanhedrin held significant authority, but their power to execute a death sentence was limited under Roman rule. They had condemned Jesus for blasphemy, a religious offense. However, to secure a death sentence, they needed to frame Jesus as a political threat to Rome – someone claiming to be a king. This is why they delivered Him to Pilate, the Roman governor, shifting the accusation from religious heresy to sedition. It was a strategic, albeit unjust, move to achieve their ultimate goal: Jesus's death.
Notice how the religious leaders bypassed their own judicial process to involve the Roman authority. They couldn't execute Jesus themselves, so they used Pilate as their tool.
Who was Pontius Pilate, and why was he in Jerusalem at this specific time?
Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor, or procurator, of Judea. His role was to maintain order, collect taxes, and administer justice for the Roman Empire. He resided primarily in Caesarea, but he made a point of coming to Jerusalem during major Jewish festivals like Passover. This was a strategic decision to keep a close eye on the large crowds, prevent any potential uprisings, and be available to handle any disturbances.
Pilate's governorship was already marked by insensitivity to Jewish religious customs, causing significant unrest. This context is crucial because it reveals a governor who was likely eager to appease the Jewish leaders and avoid further trouble, especially during a high-profile festival, which played directly into the Sanhedrin's hands.
Ask a follow-up
What does the physical act of binding Jesus signify in this moment?
The binding of Jesus, mentioned here and earlier at His arrest, underscores His utter helplessness and submission. While He was initially bound in the garden (John 18:12), some commentaries suggest His hands might have been temporarily unbound during the Sanhedrin's hasty night trial. The repeated binding signifies His transition from religious custody to the jurisdiction of the Roman state. It’s a physical manifestation of Him being handed over, stripped of any semblance of freedom, and delivered into the hands of human authority.
This act also parallels the binding of sacrificial lambs. Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice, is now bound and led away, fully submitting to the path laid out for Him, a path that would lead to the cross.
Understand the original words
paradidōmi · Greek Verb
To surrender, hand over, or betray someone into the power of another; it carries a strong connotation of being "handed over" to authorities for judgment.
hēgemōn · Greek Noun
The Roman official responsible for governing a province, administering justice, collecting taxes, and maintaining public order, representing the authority of the Roman Emperor.
c. AD 26-36
Pontius Pilate Appointed Governor
Pontius Pilate, a member of the Pontii family, is appointed as the fifth Roman prefect (governor) of Judea, serving under Emperor Tiberius. His tenure would later be marked by insensitivity to Jewish customs.
c. AD 28-30
Pilate's Provocations in Jerusalem
Pilate already has a history of outraging Jewish religious sensibilities, such as bringing imperial standards with images into Jerusalem and using Temple funds for an aqueduct, causing unrest.
Early Morning, Passover Week, c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus Delivered to Pilate
After being condemned by the Sanhedrin, Jesus is bound and led away by the chief priests and elders to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, to have his sentence confirmed.
c. AD 36-37
Pilate's Recall and Exile
Following complaints about his cruelty, particularly against the Samaritans, Pilate is summoned to Rome by Emperor Tiberius. He is later exiled and reportedly takes his own life.
This passage shows the Jewish leaders' reluctance to enter Pilate's headquarters, highlighting their desire to maintain ritual purity even as they handed Jesus over to a Gentile authority for judgment.
Luke 23:1This verse echoes Matthew's account by stating that the entire body of elders brought Jesus to Pilate, emphasizing the collective decision and action of the religious leaders in condemning Him.
Acts 4:27This early church text directly references the 'holy servant Jesus' being 'anointed' and then 'delivered up' to Pilate by both 'Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,' framing the event as a fulfillment of prophecy by a united opposition.
Zechariah 11:13Matthew cites this Old Testament passage as being fulfilled when Jesus was betrayed for thirty pieces of silver, which the priests then used to buy the potter's field, connecting Jesus's unjust condemnation to a prophetic foreshadowing of His betrayal and the corrupt handling of His 'price'.
henryMatthew 27:1-10: "When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:"
27:1-10 Wicked men see little of the consequences of their crimes when they commit them, but they must answer for them all. In the fullest manner Judas acknowledged to the chief priests that he had sinned, and betrayed an innocent person. This was full testimony to the character of Christ; but the rulers were hardened. Casting down the money, Judas departe…
clarkeMatthew 27:2: "And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor."
They - delivered him to Pontius Pilate - The Sanhedrin had the power of life and death in their own hands in every thing that concerned religion; but as they had not evidence to put Christ to death because of false doctrine, they wished to give countenance to their conduct by bringing in the civil power, and therefore they delivered him up to Pilate as one who aspired to regal digni…
The text highlights Jesus being "bound" again before being handed over to Pilate. This detail suggests that while He was likely unbound during the Sanhedrin's hasty night trial, He was restrained anew to ensure His secure transport to the Roman governor, underscoring the authorities' determination to see Him condemned.
Having condemned Jesus in a clandestine night trial, the chief priests and elders, now with the morning light, bind Him and hand Him over to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. This action seeks to legitimize their decision by bringing in the Roman authority, as the Jewish council no longer had the power to execute sentences themselves. Pilate, known for his harsh rule and insensitivity to Jewish customs, was the one to whom their accusations would be brought.
Having condemned Jesus in a clandestine night trial, the chief priests and elders, now with the morning light, bind Him and hand Him over to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. This action seeks to legitimize their decision by bringing in the Roman authority, as the Jewish council no longer had the power to execute sentences themselves. Pilate, known for his harsh rule and insensitivity to Jewish customs, was the one to whom their accusations would be brought.
"And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor." — The text highlights Jesus being "bound" again before being handed over to Pilate. This detail suggests that while He was likely unbound during the Sanhedrin's hasty night trial, He was restrained ane…
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Last reviewed October 2026