Matthew 27:24

22 “What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!”

23 “Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”

When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”

25 All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”
KJV
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.
WEB
So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”
ASV
So when Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but rather that a tumult was arising, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man; see ye [to it].
DARBY
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].
BLB
And Pilate, having seen that it availed nothing, but rather a riot is arising, having taken water, he washed the hands before the crowd, saying, “I am guiltless of the blood of this [man]. For yourselves you⁺ will see.”
ÅB
Da Pilatus så at han intet utrettet, men at det bare ble større oppstyr, tok han vann og vasket sine hender for folkets øyne og sa: «Jeg er uskyldig i denne rettferdiges blod; se dere dertil!»
OTB
Da Pilatus så at han ikke kom noen vei, men at det begynte å bli opptøyer, tok han vann og vasket hendene foran folkemengden og sa: "Jeg er uskyldig i denne mannens blod. Det er deres ansvar!"
B1930
Da Pilatus så at han intet utrettet, men at det bare blev større opstyr, tok han vann og vasket sine hender for folkets øine og sa: Jeg er uskyldig i denne rettferdiges blod; se I dertil!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Matthew 27:4

    “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.”

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 5:21

    God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 26:6

    I wash my hands in innocence that I may go about Your altar, O LORD,

    Read in context
  • John 19:4

    Once again Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.”

    Read in context
  • Job 9:30–31

    If I should wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye,

    Read in context
  • 1 Peter 3:18

    For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,

    Read in context
  • Matthew 26:5

    “But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 21:6–8

    Then all the elders of the city nearest the victim shall wash their hands by the stream over the heifer whose neck has been broken,

    Read in context