King James Version

What Does Matthew 27:24 Mean?

Matthew 27:24 in the King James Version says “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands be... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Matthew 27:24 · KJV


Context

22

Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

23

And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

24

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.

25

Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

26

Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 (ἀθῷός εἰμι ἀπὸ τοῦ αἵματος τούτου)—Pilate's handwashing invoked Jewish ritual (Deuteronomy 21:6-7), a symbolic declaration of non-culpability. Yet the act condemned him—he proclaimed Christ's justice (dikaios) while condemning Him to death.

You cannot wash away responsibility for moral choices. Pilate knew Christ was innocent (v. 18, 19, 23), yet chose political survival over justice. His words 'see ye to it' (ὑμεῖς ὄψεσθε) attempted to transfer guilt, but God holds all accountable—both Jewish leaders and Roman authority crucified Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

As prefect, Pilate alone held ius gladii (right of the sword). No handwashing could transfer his legal authority or moral responsibility. Fear of riot and Caesar's displeasure drove his decision. Governors who lost control faced recall and disgrace.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways do you try to 'wash your hands' of moral responsibility for decisions you know are wrong?
  2. How does Pilate's claiming innocence while condemning Christ illustrate the self-deception of knowing truth but choosing expediency?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
ἰδὼν1 of 30

saw

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

δὲ2 of 30

When

G1161

but, and, etc

3 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Πιλᾶτος4 of 30

Pilate

G4091

close-pressed, i.e., firm; pilatus, a roman

ὅτι5 of 30

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οὐδὲν6 of 30

nothing

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

ὠφελεῖ7 of 30

he could prevail

G5623

to be useful, i.e., to benefit

ἀλλὰ8 of 30

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

μᾶλλον9 of 30

that rather

G3123

(adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather

θόρυβος10 of 30

a tumult

G2351

a disturbance

γίνεται11 of 30

was made

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

λαβὼν12 of 30

he took

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

ὕδωρ13 of 30

water

G5204

water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively

ἀπενίψατο14 of 30

and washed

G633

to wash off (reflexively, one's own hands symbolically)

τὰς15 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χεῖρας16 of 30

his hands

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

ἀπέναντι17 of 30

before

G561

from in front, i.e., opposite, before or against

τοῦ18 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄχλου19 of 30

the multitude

G3793

a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot

λέγων,20 of 30

saying

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Ἀθῷός21 of 30

innocent

G121

not guilty

εἰμι22 of 30

I am

G1510

i exist (used only when emphatic)

ἀπὸ23 of 30

of

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τοῦ24 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αἵματος25 of 30

the blood

G129

blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k

τοῦ26 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δικαίου27 of 30

just person

G1342

equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively)

τούτου·28 of 30

of this

G5127

of (from or concerning) this (person or thing)

ὑμεῖς29 of 30

ye

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

ὄψεσθε30 of 30

see

G3700

to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 27:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 27:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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