Matthew 27:23
And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡγεμὼν
the governor
G2232
ἡγεμὼν
the governor
Strong's:
G2232
Word #:
3 of 14
a leader, i.e., chief person (or figuratively, place) of a province
Τί
what
G5101
Τί
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
5 of 14
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
γὰρ
Why
G1063
γὰρ
Why
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
6 of 14
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
κακὸν
evil
G2556
κακὸν
evil
Strong's:
G2556
Word #:
7 of 14
worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas g4190 properly refers to effects), i.e., (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious
ἐποίησεν
hath he done
G4160
ἐποίησεν
hath he done
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
8 of 14
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔκραζον
they cried out
G2896
ἔκραζον
they cried out
Strong's:
G2896
Word #:
12 of 14
properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e., (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)
Historical Context
Roman law required specific charges (crimen) for conviction. Pilate's repeated question 'What evil?' shows he found no legal basis for execution. Yet political pressure overcame justice—governors served at Caesar's pleasure and couldn't risk reports of mismanagement.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the baseless condemnation of Jesus expose the injustice of your own sin being imputed to Him?
- When have you witnessed or participated in mob mentality that abandoned reason and justice?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified (περισσῶς ἔκραζον)—Pilate's third declaration of innocence (see Luke 23:22, John 19:4, 6) met with intensified mob frenzy. The Greek perissōs ekrazon (cried out exceedingly) shows escalating irrationality—they couldn't name a crime, yet demanded execution.
This is injustice personified: the Just One condemned, the guilty freed. 'What evil hath he done?' receives no answer because there was none. 'He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth' (Isaiah 53:9). The only 'crime' was being the Holy One in a sinful world.