Matthew 27:23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Why do you turn against Him? Why did you not cast out the demon, as Paul the centurion did? This man also recognized that he would have appeased the Jews; yet, because of Paul, there was anger and turmoil, and still he stood boldly against them all. In contrast, Pilate displayed great cowardice and weakness. All parties bear guilt: neither did Pilate confront the mob, nor did the mob stand against the Jews; none of them can defend their actions. They “cried out still more strongly,” declaring even louder, “let him be crucified.” Their intent was not merely to see Him killed, but to do so in the most brutal fashion. When the judge challenged them, they merely intensified their cries. Can you perceive the extent of what Christ did to win their hearts?

Pilate presented numerous arguments for the release of Jesus. To begin with, he drew a contrast between the criminal and the innocent figure. He then posed the question, "What shall I do with Jesus?", referring to the one regarded as the King. Despite their response of "Let him be crucified," he did not immediately acquiesce; instead, influenced by his wife who urged him to have no involvement with the Just One, he questioned, "What wrong has He done?" By stating this, Pilate sought to release Jesus. Nevertheless, the crowd's demands intensified as they shouted, "Let him be crucified," fulfilling the prophecy found in Psalm 22:12, which speaks of being surrounded by dogs and encircled by the wicked.

Igemon inquired, “What wrongdoing have you committed?” Unable to convince them, he openly disputed their claims. However, they shouted with fervor, insisting, “Let it be pardoned.” They called out in overwhelming numbers, as Mark recorded. Luke noted that they raised their voices even louder, continuing to call for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and their cries, along with those of the chief priests, triumphed.

When Pilate suggested releasing Jesus as part of the customary practice of freeing one prisoner during a festival, the crowd, swayed by the religious leaders, opted for Barabbas instead. The underlying reason for their impending disbelief is reflected in Barabbas's name, which translates to "son of the father." They favored this ‘son of the father’ over Christ. Urged by their authorities, they selected the Antichrist, the son of perdition (See 2 Thess. 2:3). They embraced one who was condemned rather than the Author of Life.

He asked them, "What wrongdoing have you committed? I see no reason for death in Him. After punishing Him, I will release Him" (Luke 23:22). Pilate communicates to the crowd that Jesus Christ is blameless; he asserts that the authority to judge resides with him, the governor, rather than the populace. However, this assertion was unnecessary, and his timing was off. Further complicating matters, the governor yields to the outcry of the unbidden judge, wishing to condemn the innocent for the faults of others. Yet, the crowd erupts in an uproar, and mercy is sought... This is the moment Pilate anticipated! He succeeded in showing that the Sanhedrin members, in his view, shamelessly aligned themselves with the uproar of the mob and incited the crowd (Luke 23:23).

Pilate attempted in vain to reason with the frenzied crowd, feeling the weight of their furious shouts. The governor questioned, 'What wrongdoing has he committed? I find no reason for death in Him.' Yet the enraged throng remained unyielding, their cries escalating in intensity, 'Let Him be condemned!' This was the moment Pilate had anticipated. He observed as the Sanhedrin members shamelessly joined in the mob's outcry, inciting further agitation among the people. It was a tragic irony that a man chosen by God to uphold justice felt paralyzed by fear. He had the Roman legions at his command and could have defended the Innocent, yet he chose to avoid confrontation and capitulated to the crowd's demand. As a result, Barabbas was released, but the tumultuous cries for Jesus’ execution only grew louder from every direction.

Pilate subsequently brings forth Christ in this anguished condition to the onlookers in hopes of eliciting their compassion. He proclaims, "Behold the man." Can one imagine that He would feign kingship? Yet the multitude starts to cry out: this is insufficient—crucify Him, crucify Him.

In that moment, instead of regaining his composure and asserting the considerable Roman authority he held over the Jewish people, Pilate found himself in utter bewilderment. The voices of the crowd had become the measure of justice, and he assumed the role of a hesitant defender. “What wrong has He committed that you are calling for His disgraceful execution?” Pilate inquired. Rather than receiving a straightforward response, the crowd shouted even louder, “Crucify Him!” How perplexing for Pilate to seek a rationale from the inflamed and angry multitude for their demand for Jesus' death! For a third time, he addressed the assembly, asking, “What wrong has He done? I have found no grounds for death in Him, and therefore, I cannot agree to His execution. If it pleases you, I will chastise Him, but I will not execute Him.”

Pilate, seizing every moment of calm amidst the chaos, stubbornly defended his position, though his resolve diminished with each passing moment. "What crime has He committed?" he repeated. "I find no grounds for death in Him. Therefore, having chastised Him, I will release Him." This wavering opposition proved to be futile; it only revealed the inner anxieties of the governor and effectively handed control of the situation to the Jews. With increasing intensity, they raised their voices in a cacophony of rage, shouting, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him! Free Barabbas for us!"

Simultaneously, the vehement shouts of "crucify Him, crucify Him" (Luke 23:20) vividly illustrated the resolve of the mob below. The duration of Pilate's indecision remains uncertain; however, as the moment drew nearer, these frantic cries of the frenzied, unknowing crowd not only overshadowed the counsel of his wife but also drowned out his own inner voice. "And the cry of them and of the chief priests prevailed," the Gospel writer notes, "and Pilate resolved to be at their petition."

"Let him be crucified": they do not simply demand his death, but rather specifically call for crucifixion, indicating that this particular form of execution is meant to demonstrate him as a villain. They sought not just his death, but aimed to treat him as deserving of a heinous punishment. When the judge opposed their insistence, they continued to yell the same demand.

The governor, seeking to inspire an objective assessment from the people, questioned him a third time, asking, ‘What wrongdoing has this man committed?’ After reminding them of the lack of credible evidence against Him, he declared his intention to adhere to his verdict: I have found no cause for death in Him, but after chastising Him, I will release Him. These statements incited a loud uproar: the high priests and the throngs they had gathered raised their voices in threats, demanding that Christ be crucified. The Roman governor, aware from past encounters of the nature of this populace and the obstinate and rebellious attitude of the Jews, recognized the perilous mood of the crowd.