Matthew 27:23

Literal Standard Version

And the governor said, "Why, what evil did He do?" And they were crying out the more, saying, "Let [Him] be crucified!"

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Then he said, “Why? What has he done wrong?”

King James Version (1611)
And the Gouernour said, Why, what euil hath he done? But they cried out ye more, saying, Let him be crucified.

King James Version
And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

English Standard Version
And he said, "Why? What evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Let him be crucified!"

New American Standard Bible
But he said, "Why, what evil has He done?" Yet they kept shouting all the more, saying, "Crucify Him!"

New Century Version
Pilate asked, "Why? What wrong has he done?" But they shouted louder, "Crucify him!"

Amplified Bible
And he said, "Why, what has He done that is evil?" But they continued shouting all the louder, "Let Him be crucified!"

New American Standard Bible (1995)
And he said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they kept shouting all the more, saying, "Crucify Him!"

Legacy Standard Bible
And he said, "Why, what evil did He do?" But they were crying out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!"

Berean Standard Bible
"Why?" asked Pilate. "What evil has He done?" But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify Him!"

Contemporary English Version
Pilate answered, "But what crime has he done?" "Nail him to a cross!" they yelled even louder.

Complete Jewish Bible
When he asked, "Why? What crime has he committed?" they shouted all the louder, "Put him to death on the stake!"

Darby Translation
And the governor said, What evil then has he done? But they cried more than ever, saying, Let him be crucified.

Easy-to-Read Version
Pilate asked, "Why do you want me to kill him? What wrong has he done?" But they shouted louder, "Kill him on a cross!"

Geneva Bible (1587)
Then saide the gouernour, But what euill hath he done? Then they cryed the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

George Lamsa Translation
Pilate said to them, What evil has he done? But they cried out the more and said, Let him be crucified.

Good News Translation
But Pilate asked, "What crime has he committed?" Then they started shouting at the top of their voices: "Crucify him!"

Lexham English Bible
And he said, "Why? What wrong has he done?" But they began to shout even louder, saying, "Let him be crucified!"

Literal Translation
But the governor said, For what badness did He do? But they the more cried out, saying, Crucify!

American Standard Version
And he said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out exceedingly, saying, Let him be crucified.

Bible in Basic English
And he said, Why, what evil has he done? But they gave loud cries, saying, To the cross with him!

Hebrew Names Version
But the governor said, "Why? What evil has he done?" But they cried out exceedingly, saying, "Let him be crucified!"

International Standard Version
He asked, "What has he done wrong?" But they kept shouting louder and louder, "Let him be crucified!"

Etheridge Translation
Pilatos saith to them, Why, what evil hath he done ? But they clamoured the more, and said, Let him be crucified !

Murdock Translation
The president said to them: But what hath he done, that is evil? And they cried out the more, and said: Let him be crucified.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
The deputie sayde: What euyll hath he done? But they cryed the more, saying: let hym be crucified.

English Revised Version
And he said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out exceedingly, saying, Let him be crucified.

World English Bible
But the governor said, "Why? What evil has he done?" But they cried out exceedingly, saying, "Let him be crucified!"

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And the governour said, Why, what evil hath he done?

Weymouth's New Testament
"Why, what crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they kept on furiously shouting, "Let him be crucified!"

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Alle seien, `Be he crucified. The iustice seith to hem, What yuel hath he doon? And thei crieden more, and seiden, Be he crucified.

Update Bible Version
And he said, Why, what evil has he done? But they cried out exceedingly, saying, Let him be crucified.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

New English Translation
He asked, "Why? What wrong has he done?" But they shouted more insistently, "Crucify him!"

New King James Version
Then the governor said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!"

New Living Translation
"Why?" Pilate demanded. "What crime has he committed?" But the mob roared even louder, "Crucify him!"

New Life Bible
Then Pilate said, "Why, what bad thing has He done?" But they cried out all the more, "Nail Him to a cross!"

New Revised Standard
Then he asked, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Let him be crucified!"

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, he, said - Indeed! what evil hath he done? But, they, vehemently, were crying aloud, saying - Let him be crucified!

Douay-Rheims Bible
The governor said to them: Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying: Let him be crucified.

Revised Standard Version
And he said, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Let him be crucified."

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Then sayde the debite: what evyll hath he done? And they cryed the more sayinge: let him be crucified.

Young's Literal Translation
And the governor said, `Why, what evil did he?' and they were crying out the more, saying, `Let be crucified.'

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
The debyte saide: What euell hath he done the? Neuertheles they cried yet more and sayde, let him be crucified.

Mace New Testament (1729)
the governor said, why, what mischief has he done? but they cried out the more, let him be crucified.

THE MESSAGE
He objected, "But for what crime?" But they yelled all the louder, "Nail him to a cross!"

Simplified Cowboy Version
"Why? What in the world has this man done to deserve this?" asked Pilate. But they got all slobber-mouthed and yelled, "Crucify him!"

Contextual Overview

¹¹And Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" And Jesus said to him, "You say [it]." ¹²And in His being accused by the chief priests and the elders, He did not answer anything; ¹³then Pilate says to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they witness against You?" ¹⁴And He did not answer him, not even to one word, so that the governor wondered greatly. ¹⁵And at the celebration the governor had been accustomed to release one to the multitude, a prisoner, whom they willed, ¹⁶and they had a noted prisoner then, called Barabbas, ¹⁷therefore they having been gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you will [that] I may release to you? Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ?" ¹⁸For he had known that they had delivered Him up because of envy. ¹⁹And as he is sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Nothing—to you and to that Righteous One, for I suffered many things today in a dream because of Him." ²⁰And the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes that they might ask for themselves Barabbas, and might destroy Jesus;

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Why: Genesis 37:18, Genesis 37:19, 1 Samuel 19:3-15, 1 Samuel 20:31-33, 1 Samuel 22:14-19

But: Matthew 21:38, Matthew 21:39, Acts 7:57, Acts 17:5-7, Acts 21:28-31, Acts 22:22, Acts 22:23, Acts 23:10, Acts 23:12-15

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 20:32 - what hath Proverbs 16:30 - moving Proverbs 24:28 - not Jeremiah 26:16 - General Daniel 6:6 - assembled together Daniel 6:16 - the king Matthew 27:4 - the innocent Mark 9:30 - through Mark 15:12 - What Mark 15:14 - And John 18:29 - What Acts 22:7 - why Acts 25:10 - as thou 1 Peter 2:22 - did 1 John 3:12 - And

Cross-References

Genesis 27:11
And Jacob says to his mother Rebekah, "Behold, my brother Esau [is] a hairy man, and I [am] a smooth man,

Genesis 27:12
it may be my father feels me, and I have been in his eyes as a deceiver, and have brought on me disapproval, and not a blessing";

Genesis 27:16
and she has put the skins of the kids of the goats on his hands, and on the smooth of his neck,

Hebrews 11:20
By faith, concerning coming things, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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 without sin, he did none in it; he knew no sin, nor could any be found in him, by Satan, nor his accusers, nor his judge:

but they cried out the more, saying, let him be crucified: the more they saw Pilate inclined to favour him, and pleaded for him, and attested his innocence; the more clamorous, outrageous, and urgent they were to have him crucified.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See also the parallel places in Mark 15:6-14; Luke 23:17-23; John 18:39-40.

Matthew 27:15

At that feast - The feast of the Passover.

The governor was wont to release ... - that is, was “accustomed” to release.

From what this custom arose, or by whom it was introduced, is not known. It was probably adopted to secure popularity among the Jews, and to render the government of the Romans less odious. Any little indulgence granted to the Jews during the heavy oppression of the Romans would serve to conciliate their favor, and to keep the nation from sedition. It might happen often that when persons were arraigned before the Romans on charge of sedition, some special favorite of the people, or some leader, might be among the number. It is evident that if they had the privilege of recovering such a person, it would serve much to allay their feelings, and make tolerable the yoke under which they groaned.

Matthew 27:16

A notable prisoner - The word “notable” means one that is “distinguished” in any way either for great virtues or great crimes.

In this place it evidently means the latter He was perhaps the leader of a band who had been guilty of sedition, and had committed murder in an insurrection, Luke 23:19.

Matthew 27:17

Whom will ye that I release ... - Pilate was satisfied of the innocence of Jesus, Luke 23:13-16

He was therefore desirous of releasing him. He expected to release one to the people. He knew that Jesus, though condemned by the chief priests, was yet popular among the people He therefore attempted in this manner to rescue him from the hands of the priests, and expected that the people would prefer Him to an odious and infamous robber and murderer. Had the people been left to themselves it would probably have been done.

Jesus, which is called Christ - That is, Jesus, who claims to be the Messiah. Pilate probably did not believe it, or care much for it. He used the name which Jesus had acquired among the people. Perhaps, also, he thought that they would be more likely to ask him to be released if he was presented to them as the Messiah. Mark Mark 15:9 adds that he asked them whether they would that he should release “the King of the Jews?” It is probable that he asked the question in both ways. Perhaps it was several times repeated, and Matthew has recorded one way in which it was asked, and Mark another. He asked them whether they would demand him who “was called the Christ,” expecting that they would be moved by the claims of the Messiah - claims which, when he entered Jerusalem in triumph, and in the temple, they had acknowledged. He asked them whether they would have the “King of the Jews” probably to ridicule the priests who had delivered him on that charge. He did it to show the people how absurd the accusation was. There Jesus stood, apparently a poor, inoffensive, unarmed, and despised man. Herod had set him at naught and scourged him, and sent him back. The charge, therefore, of the priests, that he was a “king” opposed to the Roman emperor, was supremely ridiculous; and Pilate, expecting that the people would see it so, hoped also that they would ask that he might be released.

Matthew 27:18

For he knew that for envy ... - This was envy at his popularity.

He drew away the people from them. This Pilate understood, probably, from his knowledge of the pride and ambition of the rulers, and from the fact that no danger could arise from a person that appeared like Jesus. If Pilate knew this, he was bound to release him himself. As a governor and judge, he was under obligation to protect the innocent, and should, in spite of all the opposition of the Jews, at once have set him at liberty. But the Scriptures could not then have been fulfilled. It was necessary, in order that an atonement should be made. that Jesus should be condemned to die. At the same time. it shows the wisdom of the overruling providence of God, that he was condemned by a man who was satisfied of his innocence, and who proclaimed before his accusers his “full belief” that there was no fault in him.

Matthew 27:19

When he was set down on the judgment-seat - Literally, “While he was sitting.” This message was probably received when he had resumed his place on the judgment-seat, after Jesus had been sent to Herod.

See the notes at Matthew 27:14.

His wife sent unto him - The reason why she sent to him is immediately stated - that she had a dream respecting him. We know nothing more of her. We do not know whether she had ever seen the Saviour herself, but it would seem that she was apprised of what was taking place, and probably anticipated that the affair-would involve her husband in trouble.

Have thou nothing to do ... - That is, do not condemn him. Perhaps she was afraid that the vengeance of heaven would follow her husband and family if he condemned the innocent.

That just man - The word “just,” here, has the sense of “innocent,” or not guilty. She might have been satisfied of his innocence from other sources as well as from the dream.

I have suffered many things ... - Dreams were considered as indications of the divine will, and among the Romans and Greeks, as well as the Jews, great reliance was placed on them. Her mind was probably agitated with the subject. She was satisfied of the innocence of Jesus; and, knowing that the Jews would make every effort to secure his condemnation, it was not unnatural that her mind should be excited during her sleep, perhaps with a frightful prospect of the judgments that would descend on the family of Pilate if Jesus was condemned. She therefore sent to him to secure, if possible, his release.

This day - It was now early in the morning. The Jewish “day” began at sunset, and she employed the usual language of the Jews respecting time. The dream was, in fact, in the night.

Matthew 27:20

Persuaded the multitude - The release of a prisoner was to be to the people, not to the rulers.

The rulers, therefore, in order to secure the condemnation of Jesus, urged on the people to demand Barabbas. The people were greatly under the influence of the priests. Galileans among the citizens of Jerusalem were held in contempt. The priests turned the pretensions of Jesus into ridicule. Hence, in a popular tumult, among a flexible and changing multitude, they easily excited those who, but a little before, had cried Hosanna, to cry, Crucify him.

Matthew 27:21

Whether of the twain? - Which of the two, Jesus or Barabbas?

Matthew 27:23

And the governor said, Why? - Luke informs us that Pilate put this question to them “three times,” so anxious was he to release him.

He affirmed that he had found no cause of death in him. He said, therefore, that he would chastise him and let him go. He expected, probably, by causing him to be publicly whipped, to excite their compassion, to satisfy “them,” and thus to evade the demands of the priests, and to set him at liberty with the consent of the people. So weak and irresolute was this Roman governor! Satisfied of his innocence, he should at once have preferred “justice to popularity,” and acted as became a magistrate in acquitting the innocent.

Let him be crucified - See the notes at Matthew 27:39. Luke says they were instant with loud voices demanding this. They urged it. They demanded it with a popular clamor.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Matthew 27:23. What evil hath he done? — Pilate plainly saw that there was nothing laid to his charge for which, consistently with the Roman laws, he could condemn him.

But they cried out the more — What strange fury and injustice! They could not answer Pilate's question, What evil hath he done? He had done none, and they knew he had done none; but they are determined on his death.