Matthew 27:21-25
Mat 27:21 (KJB)
The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I
release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
Pilate was still hoping that the crowd would choose Jesus to be released to them
so he asks them the question again as to whom do they want. Since the crowd
seemed to be under the authority of the chief priests and elders, they would
naturally look to them for the answer. They wanted Jesus dead so they yelled
back at Pilate that they wanted Barabbas released to them. Barabbas covered his
crimes with the flag of patriotism and that is why he was winning the favor of
the crowd. By making their choice obvious, they showed they had greater affinity
with Barabbas than with God the Father. (Psa 50:18-19 KJV) When thou sawest
a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
{19} Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. It
almost seems like Psalm 50:18-19 were a prophecy of the crowd in Jerusalem
calling for Barabbas to be released. Although the Psalms speaks of a thief,
nevertheless the principle is there in those verses.
Mat 27:22 (KJB)
Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?
They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
Pilate still holding out that maybe they would have Jesus banished from Israel, he
asks them what should he do with Jesus which is called Christ? Their hatred had
hit such a crescendo that now there was no turning back for Jesus from the
approaching sentence. It seems in one accord the crowd had now called for His
crucifixion. This crowd was not backing down from their hatred for Jesus and now
they seemed to have gained their goal.
Mat 27:23 (KJB)
And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more,
saying, Let him be crucified.
Pilate continued to hold dialog with the crowd and now he asks them what evil
hath He done? Of course, the people could not bring one true accusation against
Jesus so that was another one of Pilate’s questions which went unanswered.
Instead of answering Pilate’s question, they continued to yell at even a greater
height of voice that they wanted Jesus to be crucified. Pilate showed his
weakness as a Roman governor because he allowed the crowd to dictate the fate of
Jesus. He should have been the one to determine if Jesus should receive any type
of punishment, not the crowd. Mob rule will never foster a reasonable response
or offer any proper type of solution.
Mat 27:24 (KJB)
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.
Once Pilate came to the conclusion that he could not prevail against this crowd,
he attempted to absolve himself and his conscience from the murder of Jesus by
washing his hands with water and claiming that he was innocent of the blood of
Jesus. The crowd was almost at a stage of rioting, and that is when he declared
his innocence. His rule in Judaea came to end in 36 B.C. There is much mystery
surrounding the death Pilate which took place in 39 A.D.
Mat 27:25 (KJB)
Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
Then the people had yelled out that the blood of Jesus would be on them and
their children. This meant that they, not the Romans, would take responsibility
for the death of Jesus. Here the people were yelling about taking responsibility
for the death of Jesus and then when the disciples were preaching the Gospel,
the council seemed to have forgotten what they declared a few months back.
(Acts 5:28 KJV) Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach
in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and
intend to bring this man's blood upon us. They seemed surprised that the
apostles seemed to be bringing the blood of Jesus upon them when on the day of
His crucifixion, that is exactly what they requested.