Matthew 27:22

22 Pilate asked, "So what should I do with Jesus, the one called the Christ?" They all answered, "Crucify him!"

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 leading priests and older leaders convinced the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be freed and for Jesus to be killed.

21 Pilate said, "I have Barabbas and Jesus. Which do you want me to set free for you?" The people answered, "Barabbas."

22 Pilate asked, "So what should I do with Jesus, the one called the Christ?" They all answered, "Crucify him!"

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

24 When Pilate saw that he could do nothing about this and that a riot was starting, he took some water and washed his handsn in front of the crowd. Then he said, "I am not guilty of this man's death. You are the ones who are causing it!"