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What crime has he committed?&#8221 asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, &#8220Crucify him!&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/27.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/27.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/27.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/27.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And he said, "For what evil did He commit?" And they kept crying out all the more, saying, "Let <i>Him</i> be crucified."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/27.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/27.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/27.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” Yet they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Crucify Him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/27.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And he said, &#8220Why, what evil has He done?&#8221 But they kept shouting all the more, saying, &#8220Crucify Him!&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/27.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/27.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he said, “Why, what evil did He do?” But they were crying out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/27.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And he said, “Why, what has He done that is evil?” But they continued shouting all the louder, “Let Him be crucified!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/27.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he said, “Why? What has he done wrong? ” But they kept shouting all the more, “Crucify him! ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/27.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he said, &#8220Why? What has He done wrong?&#8221 But they kept shouting, &#8220Crucify Him!&#8221 all the more. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/27.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out exceedingly, saying, Let him be crucified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/27.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Pilate answered, "But what crime has he done?" "Nail him to a cross!" they yelled even louder. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/27.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out exceedingly, saying, Let him be crucified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/27.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Pilate asked, "Why? What has he done wrong?" But they began to shout loudly, "He should be crucified!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/27.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But Pilate asked, "What crime has he committed?" Then they started shouting at the top of their voices: "Crucify him!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/27.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He asked, "What has he done wrong?" But they kept shouting louder and louder, "Let him be crucified!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/27.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Why?? asked the governor. ?What evil has He done?? But they shouted all the louder, ?Crucify Him!?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/27.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He asked, "Why? What wrong has he done?" But they shouted more insistently, "Crucify him!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/27.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But he said, "Why? What evil has he done?" But they shouted all the louder, saying, "Let him be crucified."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/27.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/27.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Why, what crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they kept on furiously shouting, "Let him be crucified!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/27.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But the governor said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they cried out exceedingly, saying, “Let him be crucified!” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/27.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the governor said, “Why, what evil did He do?” And they were crying out the more, saying, “Let [Him] be crucified!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/27.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And he said, "For what evil did He commit?" And they kept crying out all the more, saying, "Let <i>Him</i> be crucified."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/27.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the governor said, 'Why, what evil did he?' and they were crying out the more, saying, 'Let be crucified.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/27.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the leader said, For what evil hath he done? and they cried excessively, saying, Let him be crucified.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/27.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The governor said to them: Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying: Let him be crucified. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/27.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The procurator said to them, “But what evil has he done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let him be crucified.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/27.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only shouted the louder, “Let him be crucified!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/27.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/27.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Pilate said to them, What evil has he done? But they cried out the more and said, Let him be crucified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/27.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />The Governor said to them, “What evil has he done”, but increasingly, they cried out and they said, “Let him be crucified!.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/27.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But the governor said: Why, what evil has he done? But they cried vehemently, saying: Let him be crucified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/27.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And the governor said, For what evil hath He done? And they continued to cry out more vociferously, saying, Let Him be crucified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/27.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />The governor replied, But what evil hath he done? They cried out with greater vehemence, saying, Let him be crucified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/27.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />the governor said, why, what mischief has he done? but they cried out the more, let him be crucified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/27.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Why, what crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they kept on furiously shouting, "Let him be crucified!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/27.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />But he said, "Why, what evil did He perform?" And they were crying out the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/27.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And the governor said, Why, what evil hath He done? but they cried out the more, saying, Let Him be crucified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/27-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=8709" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/27.htm">The Crowd Chooses Barabbas</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>“What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!” <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">“Why?”</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5346.htm" title="5346: ephē (V-IIA-3S) -- To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say.">asked Pilate.</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">“What</a> <a href="/greek/2556.htm" title="2556: kakon (Adj-ANS) -- Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.">evil</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: epoiēsen (V-AIA-3S) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">has He done?”</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2896.htm" title="2896: ekrazon (V-IIA-3P) -- To cry aloud, shriek. A primary verb; properly, to croak or scream, i.e. to call aloud.">they shouted</a> <a href="/greek/4057.htm" title="4057: perissōs (Adv) -- Greatly, exceedingly, abundantly, vehemently. Adverb from perissos; superabundantly.">all the louder,</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. "></a> <a href="/greek/4717.htm" title="4717: Staurōthētō (V-AMP-3S) -- From stauros; to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish passion or selfishness.">“Crucify Him!”</a> </span> <span class="reftext">24</span>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.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/15-14.htm">Mark 15:14</a></span><br />“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-22.htm">Luke 23:22</a></span><br />A third time he said to them, “What evil has this man done? I have found in Him no offense worthy of death. So after I punish Him, I will release Him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-4.htm">John 19:4-6</a></span><br />Once again Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” / When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” / As soon as the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” “You take Him and crucify Him,” Pilate replied, “for I find no basis for a charge against Him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/3-13.htm">Acts 3:13-15</a></span><br />The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over and rejected Him before Pilate, even though he had decided to release Him. / You rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. / You killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead, and we are witnesses of this fact.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-28.htm">Acts 13:28</a></span><br />And though they found no ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-9.htm">Isaiah 53:9</a></span><br />He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-7.htm">Isaiah 53:7</a></span><br />He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-22.htm">1 Peter 2:22-23</a></span><br />“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” / When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/69-4.htm">Psalm 69:4</a></span><br />Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me—my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/94-21.htm">Psalm 94:21</a></span><br />They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/26-15.htm">Jeremiah 26:15</a></span><br />But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves, upon this city, and upon its residents; for truly the LORD has sent me to speak all these words in your hearing.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-4.htm">Daniel 6:4</a></span><br />Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/18-38.htm">John 18:38</a></span><br />“What is truth?” Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-12.htm">John 19:12</a></span><br />From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/4-27.htm">Acts 4:27-28</a></span><br />In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. / They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the governor said, Why, what evil has he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.</p><p class="hdg">Why.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/37-18.htm">Genesis 37:18,19</a></b></br> And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/19-3.htm">1 Samuel 19:3-15</a></b></br> And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou <i>art</i>, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/20-31.htm">1 Samuel 20:31-33</a></b></br> For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die… </p><p class="hdg">But.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/21-38.htm">Matthew 21:38,39</a></b></br> But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/7-57.htm">Acts 7:57</a></b></br> Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/17-5.htm">Acts 17:5-7</a></b></br> But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/11-27.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/matthew/27-21.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/matthew/25-30.htm">Cries</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-12.htm">Crime</a> <a href="/matthew/27-22.htm">Cross</a> <a href="/matthew/27-22.htm">Crucified</a> <a href="/matthew/27-22.htm">Crucify</a> <a href="/matthew/21-15.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/matthew/26-65.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/matthew/27-14.htm">Exceedingly</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-25.htm">Furiously</a> <a href="/matthew/27-21.htm">Governor</a> <a href="/matthew/27-12.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/matthew/20-31.htm">Louder</a> <a href="/matthew/27-22.htm">Pilate</a> <a href="/matthew/27-22.htm">Shouted</a> <a href="/matthew/21-15.htm">Shouting</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/15-7.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/matthew/27-46.htm">Cried</a> <a href="/luke/7-32.htm">Cries</a> <a href="/matthew/27-37.htm">Crime</a> <a href="/matthew/27-31.htm">Cross</a> <a href="/matthew/27-26.htm">Crucified</a> <a href="/matthew/27-31.htm">Crucify</a> <a href="/matthew/27-47.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/matthew/27-39.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/matthew/27-54.htm">Exceedingly</a> <a href="/acts/19-28.htm">Furiously</a> <a href="/matthew/27-27.htm">Governor</a> <a href="/matthew/27-36.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/mark/15-14.htm">Louder</a> <a href="/matthew/27-24.htm">Pilate</a> <a href="/matthew/27-29.htm">Shouted</a> <a href="/mark/5-7.htm">Shouting</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 27</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/27-1.htm">Jesus is delivered bound to Pilate.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/27-3.htm">Judas hangs himself.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/27-19.htm">Pilate, admonished of his wife,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/27-20.htm">and being urged by the multitude, washes his hands, and releases Barabbas.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/27-27.htm">Jesus is mocked and crowned with thorns;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/27-33.htm">crucified;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/27-39.htm">reviled;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">50. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/27-50.htm">dies, and is buried;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">62. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/27-62.htm">his tomb is sealed and watched.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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His question reflects a legal inquiry, as Roman law required a valid charge for execution. Pilate's role is significant in fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus' death by crucifixion, a Roman method, as foretold in <a href="/psalms/22-16.htm">Psalm 22:16</a>. Pilate's questioning also highlights his internal conflict and the political pressure he faced from the Jewish leaders and the crowd.<p><b>“What evil has He done?”</b><br>This question underscores Jesus' innocence, a theme consistent throughout the Gospels. Pilate's acknowledgment of Jesus' lack of wrongdoing aligns with the testimonies of others, such as Judas' remorse in <a href="/matthew/27-4.htm">Matthew 27:4</a> and the centurion's declaration in <a href="/matthew/27-54.htm">Matthew 27:54</a>. The question also reflects the fulfillment of <a href="/isaiah/53-9.htm">Isaiah 53:9</a>, which prophesies the suffering servant's innocence. Pilate's inquiry serves to emphasize the unjust nature of the trial and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through an innocent sacrifice.<p><b>But they shouted all the louder,</b><br>The crowd's increasing fervor illustrates the influence of the chief priests and elders, who had persuaded them to demand Jesus' crucifixion (<a href="/matthew/27-20.htm">Matthew 27:20</a>). This moment reflects the cultural and religious tensions of the time, as the Jewish leaders saw Jesus as a threat to their authority and the status quo. The crowd's reaction also fulfills the prophecy of <a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3</a>, where the Messiah is despised and rejected by men.<p><b>“Crucify Him!”</b><br>The demand for crucifixion, a brutal Roman execution method reserved for the worst criminals, highlights the severity of the crowd's rejection of Jesus. This cry fulfills the prophecy of Jesus' death by crucifixion, as seen in <a href="/psalms/22.htm">Psalm 22</a> and <a href="/zechariah/12-10.htm">Zechariah 12:10</a>. Theologically, this moment represents the culmination of humanity's sin and the necessity of Jesus' sacrificial death for atonement. The call for crucifixion also prefigures the redemptive power of the cross, central to Christian faith, as articulated in <a href="/1_corinthians/1-18.htm">1 Corinthians 1:18</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/pontius_pilate.htm">Pontius Pilate</a></b><br>The Roman governor of Judea who presided over the trial of Jesus. He is depicted as a reluctant judge who questions the crowd's demand for Jesus' crucifixion.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The central figure of Christianity, who is on trial and facing crucifixion despite being innocent of any wrongdoing.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a></b><br>The group of people, likely influenced by the chief priests and elders, who demand Jesus' crucifixion despite Pilate's questioning of His guilt.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where these events take place, significant as the center of Jewish worship and the location of Jesus' crucifixion.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_chief_priests_and_elders.htm">The Chief Priests and Elders</a></b><br>Jewish religious leaders who orchestrate the demand for Jesus' crucifixion, viewing Him as a threat to their authority.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_injustice_of_the_world.htm">The Injustice of the World</a></b><br>The trial of Jesus exemplifies how truth and justice can be overshadowed by mob mentality and political expediency. Believers are called to stand for truth even when it is unpopular.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fulfillment_of_prophecy.htm">The Fulfillment of Prophecy</a></b><br>Jesus' trial and crucifixion fulfill Old Testament prophecies, affirming the divine plan of salvation. This encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty and His unfolding plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a></b><br>Pilate's actions demonstrate the responsibility of leaders to uphold justice. Christian leaders are reminded to act with integrity and courage, even under pressure.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_influence.htm">The Power of Influence</a></b><br>The crowd's behavior shows how easily people can be swayed by influential voices. Christians are encouraged to discern truth and not be led astray by popular opinion.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_innocence_of_christ.htm">The Innocence of Christ</a></b><br>Despite being sinless, Jesus willingly suffers for humanity's sins. This underscores the depth of His love and the call for believers to live sacrificially.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_27.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 27</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_pilate_sympathetic_to_jesus.htm">Why does Pilate appear unusually sympathetic to Jesus when historical records describe him as ruthless?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_say,_'his_blood_be_on_us'.htm">Why did they say, "His blood be on us"?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_pilate's_'king_of_the_jews'.htm">Is there any historical evidence outside John 19:19 to confirm Pilate's inscription of 'King of the Jews'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_jesus_carry_his_cross.htm">Did Jesus bear his own cross? Yes (John 19:17) No (Matthew 27:31-32)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/27.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">Why, what evil hath he done?</span>--The question attested the judge's conviction of the innocence of the accused, but it attested also the cowardice of the judge. He was startled at the passionate malignity of the cry of the multitude and the priests, but had not the courage to resist it. We find from <a href="/luke/23-22.htm" title="And he said to them the third time, Why, what evil has he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.">Luke 23:22</a>. that he had recourse to the desperate expedient of suggesting a milder punishment--"I will chastise," <span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> scourge, "Him, and let Him go;" but the suggestion itself showed his weakness, and therefore did but stimulate the crowd to persist in their demand for death.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/27.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Why, what evil hath he done?</span> <span class="greek">Τί γὰρ κακὸν ἐποίησεν</span>; The particle <span class="greek">γὰρ</span> implies a certain reasoning in the question, the speaker for the nonce putting himself in the people's position, and demanding the ground of their decision. The authorized translation is adequate. Pilate thus showed his pusillanimity and irresolution, while exercising no control over the feelings of the excited mob. <span class="cmt_word">But</span> <span class="cmt_word">they cried out the more</span> (<span class="greek">περισσῶς ἔκραζον</span>, <span class="accented">they kept shouting out exceedingly</span>). The very sight of the governor's predilection, combined with his indecision, excited them to more vehement clamour; they saw that he would end by yielding to their violence. Jerome refers, in illustration, to <a href="/isaiah/5-7.htm">Isaiah 5:7</a>, "He looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/27-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">“Why?”</span><br /><span class="grk">γὰρ</span> <span class="translit">(gar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> </span><span class="str2">For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">asked [Pilate].</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔφη</span> <span class="translit">(ephē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5346.htm">Strong's 5346: </a> </span><span class="str2">To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“What</span><br /><span class="grk">Τί</span> <span class="translit">(Ti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has He done</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐποίησεν</span> <span class="translit">(epoiēsen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wrong?”</span><br /><span class="grk">κακὸν</span> <span class="translit">(kakon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2556.htm">Strong's 2556: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they shouted</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔκραζον</span> <span class="translit">(ekrazon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cry aloud, shriek. A primary verb; properly, to 'croak' or scream, i.e. to call aloud.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all the louder,</span><br /><span class="grk">περισσῶς</span> <span class="translit">(perissōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> </span><span class="str2">Greatly, exceedingly, abundantly, vehemently. Adverb from perissos; superabundantly.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Crucify Him!”</span><br /><span class="grk">Σταυρωθήτω</span> <span class="translit">(Staurōthētō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Imperative Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4717.htm">Strong's 4717: </a> </span><span class="str2">From stauros; to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish passion or selfishness.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/27-23.htm">Matthew 27:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/27-23.htm">Matthew 27:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/27-23.htm">Matthew 27:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/27-23.htm">Matthew 27:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/27-23.htm">Matthew 27:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/27-23.htm">Matthew 27:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/27-23.htm">Matthew 27:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/27-23.htm">Matthew 27:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/27-23.htm">Matthew 27:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/27-23.htm">Matthew 27:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/27-23.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 27:23 But the governor said Why? What evil (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/27-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 27:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 27:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/27-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 27:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 27:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>