Matthew 27:22

22 Pilate says to them, What then shall I do with Jesus, who is called Christ? They all say, Let him be crucified.

Matthew 27:22 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 27:22

Pilate saith unto them
As one astonished at their choice: he could not have thought they would have asked the life of so vile a wretch, that had been guilty of such capital crimes, crimes to be abhorred by all men:

what shall I do then with Jesus, which is called Christ?
Surely you would not have me put him to death, and that for no other reason but this, because he is called either by himself or others, Christ, or the Messiah, or the king of the Jews!

they all say unto him, let him be crucified;
which was a Roman punishment, inflicted on the meanest and worst of men; as wicked servants, thieves, robbers, and cut-throats ^F15; and so was not only a torturing and painful death, but a very shameful and ignominious one; yea, an accursed one: in this they all agreed, being instigated to it by the chief priests and elders.

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 Lipsius de Cruce, l. 1. c. 12, 13.

Matthew 27:22 In-Context

20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds that they should beg for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

21 And the governor answering said to them, Which of the two will ye that I release unto you? And they said, Barabbas.

22 Pilate says to them, What then shall I do with Jesus, who is called Christ? They all say, Let him be crucified.

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

24 And Pilate, seeing that it availed nothing, but that rather a tumult was arising, having taken water, washed his hands before the crowd, saying, I am guiltless of the blood of this righteous one: see *ye* [to it].