Matthew 27:11-26

Matthew 27:11-26

[11] And  Jesus  stood  before  the governor:  and  the governor  asked  him,  saying,  thou  the King  of the Jews?  And  Jesus  said  unto him,  Thou  sayest.  [12] And  when  he  was accused  of  the chief priests  and  elders,  he answered  nothing.  [13] Then  said  Pilate  unto him,  Hearest thou  not  how many things  they witness against  [14] And  he answered  him  to  never  word;  insomuch  that the governor  marvelled  greatly.  [15] Now  at  that feast  the governor  was wont  to release  unto the people  prisoner,  whom  they would.  [16] And  they had  then  a notable  prisoner,  called  Barabbas.  [17] Therefore  when they  were gathered together,  Pilate  said  unto them,  Whom  will ye  that I release  Barabbas,  or  Jesus  which  is called  Christ?  [18] For  he knew  that  for  envy  they had delivered  him.  [19] When  he  was set down  on  the judgment seat,  his  wife  sent  unto  him,  saying,  nothing  to do with that  just man:  for  I have suffered  many things  this day  in  a dream  because  of him.  [20] But  the chief priests  and  elders  persuaded  the multitude  that  they should ask  Barabbas,  and  destroy  Jesus.  [21] The governor  answered  and  said  unto them,  Whether  of  the twain  will ye  that I release  They said,  Barabbas.  [22] Pilate  saith  unto them,  What  shall I do  then  with Jesus  which  is called  Christ?  They all  say  unto him,  Let him be crucified.  [23] And  said,  Why,  what  evil  hath he done?  But  they cried out  the more,  saying,  Let him be crucified.  [24] When  Pilate  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  [25] Then  answered  all  the people,  and said,  His  blood  be on  and  on  children.  [26] Then  released he  Barabbas  unto them:  and  when he had scourged  Jesus,  he delivered  him to  be crucified. 

What does Matthew 27:11-26 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Pilate was a cruel ruler who made little attempt to understand the Jews whom he hated. [1] He had treated them unfairly and brutally on many occasions, but recently Caesar had rebuked him severely. [2] This probably accounts for the fairly docile attitude he displayed toward the Sanhedrin in the Gospel accounts. He wanted to avoid another rebuke from Caesar. However, his relations with the Jews continued to deteriorate until A.D39 when Caesar removed him from office and banished him. In the Gospels Pilate appears almost for Jesus, but he was probably favorable to Jesus because he hated the Sanhedrin that opposed Him. Pilate may also have dealt with Jesus as he did because Jesus posed no threat whatsoever to him from his viewpoint. Conviction by both the Sanhedrin and Pilate were necessary to condemn Jesus. These inveterate enemies united against Him. [3]