Devine Scripture

Matthew 27:22

What does Matthew 27:22 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 27:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 27:22 means

Pilate asks the crowd directly what he should do with Jesus, ‘who is called Christ,’ and they cry, ‘Let him be crucified.’ Their unanimous call for crucifixion displays an intense and violent rejection not just of a legal verdict but of Jesus’ person and mission. The demand overturns any pretense of a fair trial; it rejects the governor’s authority to make a merciful choice. The crowd’s cry prepares the ultimate, irreversible step of execution by crucifixion—a death reserved for the worst offenders in Roman law.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Pilate says to them, What, then, am I to do with Jesus, who is named Christ? They all say, Let him be put to death on the cross.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Pilate saith to them, `What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?' They all say to him, `Let be crucified!'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Pilate saith to them: What shall I do then with Jesus that is called Christ? They say all: Let him be crucified.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Pilate says to them, What then shall I do with Jesus, who is called Christ? They all say, Let him be crucified.

Context

This verse follows the crowd’s choice of Barabbas (v. 21) and represents the climax of public condemnation. After symbolic gestures and procedural options, the people demand death. The scene underscores the triumph of mob will over justice and sets up Pilate’s moral capitulation in the next verses.

v.21But the governor answered and said unto them, Which of the two will ye that I release unto you? And they said, Barabbas.

v.22This passage

v.23And he said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out exceedingly, saying, Let him be crucified.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 15:12

    And Pilate again answered and said unto them, What then shall I do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?

  • Isaiah 53:2

    For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

  • Matthew 1:16

    and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

  • Zechariah 11:8

    And I cut off the three shepherds in one month; for my soul was weary of them, and their soul also loathed me.

  • Psalms 22:8

    Commit thyself unto Jehovah; let him deliver him: Let him rescue him, seeing he delighteth in him.

  • Isaiah 49:7

    Thus saith Jehovah, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall worship; because of Jehovah that is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who hath chosen thee.

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