Matthew 27:24 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Pilate washes his hands, disowning responsibility for the death of the innocent Jesus.
What Does Matthew 27:24 Mean?
Seeing the crowd on the verge of riot and unable to change their minds, Pilate calls for water and washes his hands before them, declaring himself innocent of this just person's blood. He tries to shift the guilt onto the people.
The gesture cannot cleanse what the will refuses to resist. Pilate names Jesus a just person even as he hands Him over, a self-condemning act. Water on the hands does not wash a guilty conscience; only the blood he disowns can do that. His attempt to stand clear of the deed shows that no ritual can substitute for doing what is right, and that the guilt of Christ's death is not so easily set aside.
Matthew 27:24 in the Original Language
aponipto (ἀπονίπτω), 'washed' -- to wash off, rinsing something away from oneself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 27:24
What does Matthew 27:24 mean?
Pilate washes his hands, disowning responsibility for the death of the innocent Jesus.