MATTHEW 27:23 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.”
And he said: why? What evil has he done? But they shouted all the more: let him be crucified! Pilate's final defense of Jesus' innocence — why, what evil has he done — is the third declaration of innocence in the passion narrative. The shouting all the more is the mob dynamic: the crowd's volume increases as the logic of the case decreases.
Church Fathers on Matthew 27:23
Because Christ had answered nothing to the accusations of the Jews, by which Pilate could acquit Him of what was alleged against Him, he contrives other means of saving Him.
Thus do the Gentiles shew favours to those whom they subject to themselves, until their yoke is riveted. Yet did this practice obtain also among the Jews, Saul did not put Jonathan to death, because all the people sought his life. [marg. note: 1 Sam 14]
In the Gospel entitled 'according to the Hebrews,' Barabbas is interpreted, 'The son of their master,' who had been condemned for sedition and murder. Pilate gives them the choice between Jesus and the robber, not doubting but that Jesus would be the rather chosen.
Read all 29 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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