Matthew 27:23
And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Pilate’s repeated question, "Why? What evil has he done?" highlights Jesus' complete innocence, but it also shows how desperately Pilate was looking for any reason to justify himself. The crowd's escalating cries reveal their rejection wasn't based on any fault of Jesus, but on a blind, rabid hatred that drowned out reason and justice.
Pilate, the Roman governor, is struggling to find a reason to condemn Jesus, even after scourging him and presenting him to the crowd. Despite Pilate's attempts to appeal to the custom of releasing a prisoner and his own declaration that Jesus has done nothing worthy of death, the chief priests and the crowd relentlessly demand Jesus' crucifixion. They choose to have Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and murderer, released instead, amplifying their clamor for Jesus' death.
When Pilate asked, 'What evil has he done?' he expected an answer. Instead, he got a roar.
Pilate, the Roman governor, was looking for a legal reason to condemn Jesus. He genuinely asked, 'Why? What evil has he done?' This question highlights a crucial point: there was no legitimate charge against Jesus. The religious leaders and the crowd couldn't produce evidence of any wrongdoing. Their accusations were based on false claims and political pressure, not actual crimes. Pilate’s question exposes the injustice of the situation – an innocent man was being condemned without cause. Despite this, the crowd’s response shows how quickly public opinion can be swayed by emotion and manipulation, drowning out reason and truth.
The more Pilate sought justice for Jesus, the louder the crowd screamed for his death.
This passage reveals a chilling dynamic: the very act of seeking a just outcome fueled the mob’s anger. Pilate’s attempts to find fault, his declaration of Jesus’ innocence, and even the offer to punish Jesus lightly instead of crucifying him, only intensified their demands. It shows how desperately the crowd, stirred up by the religious leaders, wanted Jesus gone. Their cries of 'Let him be crucified!' were not reasoned arguments but primal shouts of hatred and fear. This wasn't just about a legal verdict; it was a spiritual battle where the forces against Jesus grew more violent the closer they came to revealing his innocence.
Understand the original words
kakos · Greek Adjective/Noun
General term for moral wickedness, malice, or depravity, often used in legal settings to denote a crime worthy of punishment.
Pilate's repeated questioning, 'Why? What evil has he done?', highlights Jesus' innocence and the baseless rage of the crowd. This scene underscores the political pressures and religious fervor of the time, demonstrating how a Roman governor, concerned for his own authority, could succumb to mob rule and condemn an innocent man.
c. 27-30 AD
Pilate's Governorship in Judea
Pontius Pilate served as the Roman prefect (governor) of Judea from AD 26 to 36. His tenure was marked by insensitivity to Jewish religious customs, leading to several clashes.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Arrest and Trial
Following his arrest after the Last Supper, Jesus underwent a series of trials before Jewish authorities and then Roman officials, including Pontius Pilate.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Pilate Offers Barabbas
According to the Passover custom, Pilate offered to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. He presented Jesus alongside Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and murderer.
c. 30 AD
Crowd Demands Crucifixion
Despite Pilate's attempts to find Jesus innocent and even suggesting punishment short of death, the crowd, instigated by the chief priests, vehemently demanded Jesus' crucifixion.
This passage shows a similar scenario where the people rejected God's chosen leader, Samuel, and demanded a king, ignoring his wisdom and integrity, much like the crowd rejected Jesus for Barabbas.
Isaiah 53:7This prophetic passage describes the Suffering Servant being led like a lamb to the slaughter, who 'opened not his mouth,' echoing Jesus' silence before his accusers and Pilate's inability to find any wrongdoing.
John 18:38In this parallel account, Pilate asks Jesus, 'What is truth?' Here, he asks 'What evil has he done?', highlighting his own pursuit of truth versus the crowd's unreasoning hatred and demand for crucifixion.
Acts 7:59-60Stephen's prayer while being stoned, 'Lord, receive my spirit!' and 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them,' mirrors Jesus' prayer for forgiveness ('Father, forgive them') and reflects the theme of innocent suffering met with brutal rejection.
1 Peter 2:22This verse directly states that Jesus 'committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth,' reinforcing Pilate's question and the underlying injustice of the crowd's demand.
henryMatthew 27:11-25: "And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest."
27:11-25 Having no malice against Jesus, Pilate urged him to clear himself, and laboured to get him discharged. The message from his wife was a warning. God has many ways of giving checks to sinners, in their sinful pursuits, and it is a great mercy to have such checks from Providence, from faithful friends, and from our own conscience…
gillMatthew 27:23: "And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified."
And the governor said, why, what evil hath he done?.... What reason can be given, why he should be crucified? what sin has he committed, that deserves such a death? From whence it is clear, that of all the things they had accused him, they had not, in Pilate's account, given proof of one single action, that was criminal, nor had he done any: he came into the world with…
Pilate’s repeated question, "Why? What evil has he done?" highlights Jesus' complete innocence, but it also shows how desperately Pilate was looking for any reason to justify himself. The crowd's escalating cries reveal their rejection wasn't based on any fault of Jesus, but on a blind, rabid hatred that drowned out reason and justice.
Pilate, the Roman governor, is struggling to find a reason to condemn Jesus, even after scourging him and presenting him to the crowd. Despite Pilate's attempts to appeal to the custom of releasing a prisoner and his own declaration that Jesus has done nothing worthy of death, the chief priests and the crowd relentlessly demand Jesus' crucifixion. They choose to have Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and murderer, released instead, amplifying their clamor for Jesus' death.
Pilate, the Roman governor, is struggling to find a reason to condemn Jesus, even after scourging him and presenting him to the crowd. Despite Pilate's attempts to appeal to the custom of releasing a prisoner and his own declaration that Jesus has done nothing worthy of death, the chief priests and the crowd relentlessly demand Jesus' crucifixion. They choose to have Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and murderer, released instead, amplifying their clamor for Jesus' death.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Matthew 27:23 is available in the Sola app.
c. 30 AD
Pilate Condemns Jesus
Yielding to the crowd's pressure and fearing unrest that could threaten his position with Caesar, Pilate ultimately handed Jesus over to be crucified.
"And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”" — Pilate’s repeated question, "Why? What evil has he done?" highlights Jesus' complete innocence, but it also shows how desperately Pilate was looking for any reason to justify himself. The crowd's e…
