Matthew 27:20-23 20Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd in order that they might ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21But in answering, the governor said to them, “Which of the two do you want me that I should release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23And he said, “For what reason, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, saying, “Let him be crucified!”
Pilate attempted to walk a fine line. He knew Jesus to be innocent based on his questioning and his wife’s dream, but he also had a rambunctious crowd that could easily descend into a riot. Jerusalem and Judea at that time were powder kegs ready to blow because of the Roman occupation. Matthew casts blame for the crowd’s tension upon the chief priests and elders of the people. The crowd is like a pawn in this story that was used by the Jewish leaders to call for Jesus’ death. We can imagine the members of the Sanhedrin spreading out among the people, whispering (or shouting) into their ears to ask for Barrabas. How many of these people were also present when Jesus road into the city in hopeful celebration? They made their choice clear. They would rather have the notorious criminal Barabbas set free and innocent and righteous Jesus crucified.
Pilate tries to cast blame on the crowd, and by extension, on the Jewish leaders. He wanted nothing to do with this man. If he had any sense of justice and also any fear of premonitions then he should release Jesus. But like many politicians, he chose the way of popularity rather than the way of truth. He left it up to the crowd to choose the fate of Jesus. His question implies some understanding of the situation because he called Jesus the Messiah. He likely knew something of the Jewish religion and maybe even of Jewish expectations. Obviously he had no fear of the God of Israel or reverence for Jewish prophecy. Otherwise, he should have thought more deeply about who the Messiah was. He could not find any evil that Jesus had done. He appears weak at this point in the story, and the crowds are the ones in control. He could not stand for truth and righteousness, even with the warning of his wife.
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