Matthew 27:24

So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”

World English Bible
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WEBBE

So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”

BSB

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.”

KJV

When Pilate saw 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 of this just person: see ye to it.

ASV

So when Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but rather that a tumult was arising, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man; see ye [to it].

BBE

So when Pilate saw that he was able to do nothing, but that trouble was working up, he took water and, washing his hands before the people, said, The blood of this upright man is not on my hands: you are responsible.

Original Greek

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Ἰδὼν Idōn Having seen G1492 δὲ de now G1161 ὁ ho (the) G3588 Πιλᾶτος Pilatos Pilate G4091 ὅτι hoti that G3754 οὐδὲν ouden no [thing] G3762 ὠφελεῖ ōphelei it availed G5623 ἀλλὰ alla but G235 μᾶλλον mallon rather G3123 θόρυβος thorubos a riot G2351 γίνεται ginetai is arising G1096 λαβὼν labōn having taken G2983 ὕδωρ hudōr water G5204 ἀπενίψατο apenipsato he washed G633 τὰς tas the G3588 χεῖρας cheiras hands G5495 ἀπέναντι apenanti opposite G561 τοῦ tou the G3588 ὄχλου ochlou crowd G3793 λέγων legōn saying G3004 ἀθῷός athōos Guiltless G121 εἰμι eimi I am G1510 ἀπὸ apo of G575 τοῦ tou the G3588 αἵματος aimatos blood G129 τοῦ tou (the) G3588 δικαίου dikaiou righteous [one] G1342 τούτου toutou of this G3778 ὑμεῖς humeis For yourselves G4771 ὄψεσθε.¶ opsesthe you will behold G3700

The early church

Pilate took water in accordance with that, I will wash my hands in innocency, (Ps. 26:6.) in a manner testifying and saying, I indeed have sought to deliver this innocent man, but since a tumult is rising, and the charge of treason to Cæsar is urged against me, I am innocent of the blood of this just man. The judge then who is thus compelled to give sentence against the Lord, does not convict the accused, but the accusers, pronouncing innocent Him who is to be crucified. See ye to it, as though he had said, I am the law's minister, it is your voice that has shed this blood. Also in the washing of Pilate's hands all the works of the Gentiles are cleansed, and we are acquitted of all share in the impiety of the Jews.
Jerome · d. 420Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)
(de Cons. Ev. iii. 8.) Pilate many times pleaded with the Jews, desiring that Jesus might be released, which Matthew witnesses in very few words, when he says, Pilate seeing that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made. He would not have spoken thus, if Pilate had not striven much, though how many efforts he made to release Jesus he does not mention.
Augustine of Hippo · d. 430Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)
(Serm. lix. 2.) The impiety of the Jews then exceeded the fault of Pilate; but he was not guiltless, seeing he resigned his own jurisdiction, and acquiesced in the injustice of others.
Leo the Great · d. 461Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)
It was customary among the ancients, when one would refuse to participate in any crime, to take water and wash his hands before the people.
Remigius of Rheims · d. 533Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 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 consciences. O do not this abominable thing which the Lord hates! is what we may hear said to us, when we are entering into temptation, if we will but regard it. Being overruled by the priests, the people made choice of Barabbas. Multitudes who choose the world, rather than God, for their ruler and portion, thus choose their own delusions. The Jews were so bent upon the death of Christ, that Pilate thought it would be dangerous to refuse. And this struggle shows the power of conscience even on the worst men. Yet all was so ordered to make it evident that Christ suffered for no fault of his own, but for the sins of his people. How vain for Pilate to expect to free himself from the guilt of the innocent blood of a righteous person, whom he was by his office bound to protect! The Jews' curse upon themselves has been awfully answered in the sufferings of their nation. None could bear the sin of others, except Him that had no sin of his own to answer for. And are we not all concerned? Is not Barabbas preferred to Jesus, when sinners reject salvation that they may retain their darling sins, which rob God of his glory, and murder their souls? The blood of Christ is now upon us for good, through mercy, by the Jews' rejection of it. O let us flee to it for refuge!

Read Matthew Henry on Matthew 27 →

Cross-references

15

People & places

Pontius

Topics

Jesus, The ChristGovernmentHypocrisyBloodJudgeAblutionPurificationHandResponsibilityWashingInnocencyVerdict

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.