17.12.26: Level 4: literature; Vulgate [5]: Jesus sentenced to death [iii] Matthew 27.22-24

The same incident recounted in Matthew 27 contains the famous, or rather infamous statement that sealed the fate of Jesus – and those who condemned him.

Matthew 27.20-27

The first verse here clearly states that the main religious officials are responsible for influencing the mob:

(20) Prīncipēs autem sacerdōtum et seniōrēs persuāsērunt populīs ¦ ut peterent Barabbam, Iēsum vērō perderent.

• But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd ¦ that they should ask for [ = to ask for] Barabbas and have Jesus killed.

(21) Respondēns autem praeses, ait illīs: Quem vultis vōbīs dē duōbus dīmittī? At illī dīxērunt: Barabbam.

• And replying the governor said to them: “Which of the two do you wish to be released to you? And they said: “Barabbas.”

(22) dīcit illīs Pīlātus “quid igitur faciam dē Iēsū quī dīcitur Chrīstus?”

• Pilate says to them: What shall I do then with Jesus who is called Christ?

(23) dīcunt omnēs crucifīgātur ait illīs praeses quid enim malī fēcit at illī magis clāmābant dīcentēs crucifīgātur

• They all say; “Let him be crucified”. The governor says / said to them: “Why, what evil has he done?” But they cried out the more, saying: “Let him be crucified”.

(24) Vidēns autem Pīlātus ¦ quia nihil prōficeret, sed magis tumultus fieret, acceptā aquā, lāvit manūs cōram populō, dīcēns: Innocēns ego sum ā sanguine iūstī huius: vōs vīderitis.

The moment where Pilate rejects any personal responsibility:

• So Pilate, seeing that he was accomplishing nothing, but that the uproar was becoming greater, with water having been received [ = after he had taken water], he washed (his) hands in the presence of the people, saying: “I am innocent of the blood of this just man: it is you who will have seen to that.”

(26) Et respondēns ūniversus populus dīxit: Sanguis eius super nōs, et super fīliōs nostrōs.

• And the entire people replying said: “His blood (is) upon us, and upon our children.”

(27) Tunc dīmīsit illīs Barabbam: Iēsum autem flagellātum trādidit eīs ut crucifīgerētur.

• Then he released Barabbas to him, but Jesus, having been flogged [ = after he had been flogged], he handed over to them in order that he should be crucified [ = in order to be crucified].

Notes:

[i] subjunctive usage:

(a) indirect command

persuāsērunt populīs ¦ ut peterent Barabbam, Iēsum vērō perderent

• (they) persuaded the people ¦ that they should ask for [ = to ask for] Barabbas, and have Jesus killed

(b) jussive subjunctive

• crucifigātur: Let him be crucified.

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/01/280326-level-3-subjunctive-7.html

(c) purpose

• … ut crucifigerētur: …in order that he should be crucified [ = in order to be crucified]

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2026/02/090526-level-3-subjunctive-34-dependent.html

[ii] Again, we have an example of an indirect statement being introduced in the alternative Latin style with quia + subjunctive:

Vidēns autem Pīlātus quia nihil prōficeret, sed magis tumultus fieret

• And Pilate, seeing that he was accomplishing nothing, but (that) the uproar was becoming greater / increasing.

[iii] Quem vultis vōbīs dē duōbus dīmittī?

• Which of the two do you wish to be released to you?

dīmittere: to release > dīmittī (present passive infinitive): to be released

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/10/110125-level-2-passive-voice-19-present.html

[iv] Vōs vīderītis: You will have seen (to that) i.e. it is your responsibility

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0CgVGrn-AU

This is a staggering and disturbing depiction of the human dynamics of the event: the mob is terrifying, and the initial aggression and arrogance of Pilate is both utterly shattered and infused with fury at having been placed in this position. Note: the excerpt is graphically violent in its portrayal. 

innocēns ego sum ā sanguine iūstī huius