Matthew 27:15-26

Pilate Tries The Way Of Compromise And Ends Up Having To Give Way By Washing His Hands Of The Whole Situation In Declaration Of Jesus' Innocence (27:15-26).

Matthew now confirms that the Chief Priests and Elders are the main causes of Jesus' death, in that, having delivered Jesus to Pilate with the aim of having Him executed, it is they who press the charges, and they who arouse the Jerusalemites to call for His crucifixion and release ‘Jesus Barabbas' (a reading found in Theta and f1 and a few versions and confirmed as early by Origen). At the same time he reveals that both Pilate and his wife see Jesus as innocent, the latter in a way that suggests supernatural intervention. Central to the passage is the question, ‘what then shall I do with Jesus Who is called Messiah?', a question which produces the response, ‘Let Him be crucified'. Jerusalem has given its verdict.

Analysis.

a Now at the feast the governor had the normal practise of releasing (was wont to release) to the crowd one prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas (Matthew 27:15).

b When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom will you that I release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that for envy they had delivered Him up (Matthew 27:17).

c And while he was sitting on the judgment-seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Do not have anything to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him” (Matthew 27:19).

d Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus (Matthew 27:20).

e But the governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two will you that I release unto you?” And they said, “Barabbas” (Matthew 27:21).

f Pilate says to them, “What then shall I do to Jesus who is called Messiah?” They all say, “Let him be crucified.”

e And he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they cried out exceedingly, saying, “Let him be crucified” (Matthew 27:22).

d So when Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but rather that a tumult was arising (Matthew 27:24 a)

c He took water, and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man. You see to it” (Matthew 27:24 b).

b And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us, and on our children” (Matthew 27:25).

a Then he released Barabbas to them, but he scourged Jesus and delivered him to be crucified (Matthew 27:26).

Note that in ‘a' Pilate was in the habit of releasing a prisoner in accordance with popular request, and in the parallel He releases Barabbas and not Jesus. In ‘b' Pilate gives the choice to the crowd of either Barabbas or Jesus, and in the parallel the crowd take Jesus' blood on their own heads. In ‘c' his wife declares Jesus innocent before a ‘heavenly' court, and in the parallel Pilate declares Jesus innocent before the representatives of the whole Jewish people. In ‘d' the Chief Priests and Elders persuade the crowd, and in the parallel Pilate prevails nothing. In ‘e' the crowds cry for the release of Barabbas in response to Pilate's question, and in the parallel in response to Pilate's question they cry for the crucifixion of Jesus. Centrally in ‘f they are faced up with what should be done with Jesus the Messiah, and they demand His crucifixion. Note also the repetition of ‘let Him be crucified' in the second half of the chiasmus, a repetitive feature often found in the second part of Biblical chiasmi.