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

16.12.26: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXIII [4] vocabulary review

All of the words below are in the text. Match the Latin words with the English definitions. There is a very wide range of military vocabulary in Latin literature referring to, for example, equipment, means of defence and tactics. Military vocabulary is covered extensively at:

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/vocabulary%3A%20military

16.12.26: Level 3+ (review); Dooge LXXIII [3] (1) subjunctive; (2) indirect statement; (3) participial constructions

THE STORMING OF A CITY

Pūblius plūrīs diēs in Germāniā morātus in Galliam rediit, et ad Caesaris castra sē contulit. Ille quia molestē ferēbat Gallōs eius regiōnis obsidēs dare recūsāvisse et exercituī frūmentum praebēre nōluisse, cōnstituit eīs bellum īnferre. Agrīs vāstātīs, vīcīs incēnsīs, pervēnit ad oppidum validissimum quod et nātūrā et arte mūnītum erat. Cingēbātur mūrō vīgintī quīnque pedēs altō. Ā lateribus duōbus situm, praeruptō fastīgiō ad plānitiem vergēbat; ā quārtō tantum latere aditus erat facilis. Hoc oppidum oppugnāre, cum opus esset difficillimum, tamen cōnstituit Caesar. Et castrīs mūnītīs Pūbliō negōtium dedit ut rēs ad oppugnandum necessāriās parāret.

Rōmānōrum autem oppugnātiō est haec. Prīmum turrēs aedificantur quibus mīlitēs in summum mūrum ēvādere possint; vīneae fīunt quibus tēctī mīlitēs ad mūrum succēdant; pluteī parantur post quōs mīlitēs tormenta administrent; sunt quoque arietēs quī mūrum et portās discutiant. Hīs omnibus rēbus comparātīs, deinde agger ab eā parte ubi aditus est facillimus exstruitur et cum vīneīs ad ipsum oppidum agitur. Tum turris in aggere prōmovētur; arietibus quī sub vīneīs conlocātī erant mūrus et portae discutiuntur; ballistīs, catapultīs, reliquīsque tormentīs lapidēs et tēla in oppidum coniciuntur. Postrēmō cum iam turris et agger altitūdinem mūrī adaequant et arietēs moenia perfrēgērunt, signō datō mīlitēs inruunt et oppidum expugnant.

(1) review: subjunctive

Translate the following extracts focussing on the constructions in bold:

[i] Hoc oppidum oppugnāre, cum opus esset difficillimum, tamen cōnstituit Caesar.

[ii] Pūbliō negōtium dedit ut rēs ad oppugnandum necessāriās parāret.

[iii] Prīmum turrēs aedificantur quibus mīlitēs in summum mūrum ēvādere possint;

[iv] vīneae fīunt quibus tēctī mīlitēs ad mūrum succēdant

[v] pluteī parantur post quōs mīlitēs tormenta administrent;

[vi] sunt quoque arietēs quī mūrum et portās discutiant

(2) review: indirect statement

https://adckl.blogspot.com/search/label/indirect%20statement

Translate the following extract. Remember that the grammatical term indirect statement may not refer exclusively to what somebody said, but, here, what somebody thought or felt:

Ille quia molestē ferēbat Gallōs eius regiōnis obsidēs dare recūsāvisse et exercituī frūmentum praebēre nōluisse, …

(3) review: participial constructions

Translate the following extracts focussing on the constructions in bold:

[i] Pūblius plūrīs diēs in Germāniā morātus in Galliam rediit, …

[ii] Agrīs vāstātīs, vīcīs incēnsīs, pervēnit ad oppidum …

[iii] Et castrīs mūnītīs Pūbliō negōtium dedit

[iv] Hīs omnibus rēbus comparātīs, …

[v] signō datō mīlitēs inruunt …

____________________

Publius, after staying / having stayed for several days in Germany, returned to Gaul and made his way to Caesar’s camp. Caesar, because he was displeased that the Gauls of that region had refused to give hostages and had been unwilling to supply grain to the army, decided to make war upon them.

After the fields had been laid waste and the villages burned, he came to a very strongly fortified town, which was defended both by nature and by workmanship. It was surrounded by a wall twenty-five feet high. On two sides it was situated on a slope, with a steep incline falling down to the plain; from the fourth side alone was access easy.

Although it was a most difficult task to attack this town, Caesar nevertheless decided to undertake it. And, after the camp had been fortified, he assigned Publius the task of preparing [lit: so that he might prepare] the things necessary for the attack.

The Roman method of attack, however, is as follows. First, towers are built by which the soldiers may be able to climb up onto the top of the wall; mantlets are made by which the soldiers, being covered, may approach the wall; screens are prepared behind which the soldiers may operate the engines; there are also battering rams which may smash the wall and the gates.

When all these things have been prepared, then a rampart is built from that side where the approach is easiest and is pushed forward with the mantlets right up to the town. Then a tower is moved forward on the rampart; by means of the rams, which had been placed under the mantlets, the wall and gates are battered down; by ballistae, catapults, and the other engines, stones and missiles are hurled into the town.

Finally, when the tower and ramp now match the height of the wall and the rams have broken through the defences, the signal having been given, the soldiers rush in and capture the town.

15.12.26: Level 2 (review); Carolus et Maria [36] (1)

[1] Choose the correct form of the noun:

Although it is the end (1) of the day, the pupils do not go (2) home immediately. One portion (3) of the pupils is the army which defends (4) the safety (5) of the state. Another part is the army (6) of the robbers who live in (7) the forest and often attack (8) the city.

Quamquam fīnis (1) __________ est, discipulī statim (2) __________ nōn eunt. Altera* pars (3) __________ est exercitus quī (4) __________  (5) __________ dēfendit. Altera* pars est exercitus (6) __________ quī in (7) __________ habitant et (8) __________ saepe oppugnant.

*alter … alter …: one … the other …

altera pars … altera pars: one part … the other part …

(1) diēs / diēī / diē

(2) domum / domus / domī

(3) discipulīs / discipulōrum / discipulōs

(4) salūs / salūtis / salūtem

(5) civitātis / civitās / civitātem

(6) latrōnēs / latrōnibus / latrōnum

(7) silva / silvā / silvae

(8) urbe / urbem / urbis

[2]

[i] Numerus utriusque* exercitūs est parvus, sed discipulī numerum esse magnum putant.

*uterque, utraque, utrumque: each (of two)

[ii] Nunc septem mīlitēs ad silvam properant.

[iii] In silvā septem aliī discipulī (latrōnēs) mīlitēs exspectant.

[iv] In silvā est castellum latrōnum.

[v] Intrā castellum latrōnēs latent.

[vi] Cōnsul ipse, prīmus magistrātus cīvitātis, mīlitēs dūcit.

[vii] Bonus est et officium numquam neglegit.

[viii] Salūtem reī pūblicae dēfendit.

[ix] Cīvēs bene regit.

Which of the sentences [i] – [ix] refers to:

defending the republic _____

hiding in the fort _____

hurrying to the forest _____

leading the soldiers _____

location of the fort _____

never neglecting one’s duty _____

ruling the citizens _____

the size of the army _____

waiting for the soldiers _____

[3] Semper pācem petit, sed sī hostēs umquam eōs premunt, cōnsul hostēs ā fīnibus suīs repellit. Summum imperium habet. Fēlīcēs sunt mīlitēs cuius imperātor est cōnsul. Ubi mīlitēs castellō appropinquant cōnsul explōrātōrem mittit. Necesse est explōrātōrem cōnsilia latrōnum cognōscere. Hoc, autem, est difficile. Quaestor* est vir magnae virtūtis. Cōnsul eum mittit.

*quaestor, -ōris [3/m]: a class of Roman officer

In which order are the following statements made?

a positive personal characteristic _____

approaching a fort _____

being overwhelmed by the enemy _____

discovering the enemy’s plans _____

happy soldiers _____

highest power _____

pushing back the enemy _____

seeking peace _____

sending out a scout _____

____________________

[1]

Quamquam fīnis (1) diēī est, discipulī statim (2) domum nōn eunt. Altera pars (3) discipulōrum est exercitus quī (4) salūtem (5) cīvitātis dēfendit. Altera pars est exercitus (6) latrōnum quī in (7) silvā habitant et (8) urbem saepe oppugnant.

[2]

defending the republic [viii]

hiding in the fort [v]

hurrying to the forest [ii]

leading the soldiers [vi]

location of the fort [iv]

never neglecting one’s duty [vii]

ruling the citizens [ix]

the size of the army [i]

waiting for the soldiers [iii]

[3]

a positive personal characteristic [9]

approaching a fort [6]

being overwhelmed by the enemy [2]

discovering the enemy’s plans [8]

happy soldiers [5]

highest power [4]

pushing back the enemy [3]

seeking peace [1]

sending out a scout [7]

14.12.26: Level 1-2 (review): Julia (a Latin Reader) [7] (2)

HORĀTIUS PUER (2)

Tandem in caelō columbās albās vidēbant. Columbae per caelum undique volābant et folia ad locum herbōsum portābant. Parentēs ad locum contendērunt et ecce! īnfāns in herbā placidus impavidusque dormītābat; columbae in terrā, in arboribus passim sedēbant; columbae per caelum volābant, et parvulī corpus foliīs tegēbant. Nec lupī nec ursī īnfantem necāverant, quia Mūsae poētam etiam īnfantem semper cōnservant.

Post multōs annōs Horātius, iam adolēscēns, Rōmam, magnam urbem, incolēbat. Sed dīvīna rūra et vītam rūsticam semper laudābat. Mūsae per multa perīcula poētam cōnservāvērunt. Horātiī carmina per tōtum orbem terrārum etiam nunc nōta et praeclāra sunt. Vōs quoque Horātiī carmina mox lēgētis et in memoriae tabulīs scrībētis.

[i]

adolēscēns, -entis [3 m/f]: young; just grown up

arbor, -oris [3/f]: tree

carmen, -inis [3/n]: song

columba, -ae [1/f]: dove

folium, -ī [2/n]: leaf

infāns, -fantis [3 m/f]: infant

Mūsae, -ārum [1/f pl.]: Muses, nine goddesses

orbis, -is [3/m]: circle; orbis terrārum: the whole world

perīculum, -ī [2/n]: danger

vīta, -ae [1/f]: life

[ii]

cōnservō, -āre [1]: save, protect

contendō, -ere [3]: hasten

legō, -ere [3]: read

scrībō, -ere [3]: write

tegō, -ere [3]: cover

volō, -āre [1]: fly

[iii]

nōtus, -a, -um: well known; famous

[iv]

passim: everywhere

quia: because

____________________

At last they caught sight of white doves in the sky. The doves were flying everywhere through the sky and carrying leaves to a grassy spot. The parents hurried to the place—and look! the child was lying on the grass, calm and fearless, asleep; doves were sitting here and there on the ground and in the trees; doves were flying through the sky, and they were covering the little body with leaves. Neither wolves nor bears had killed the child, because the Muses always protect the poet, even as an infant.

After many years Horace, now a young man, was living at Rome, a great city. But he always praised the divine countryside and the rustic life. The Muses preserved the poet through many dangers. The poems of Horace are even now known and famous throughout the whole world. You too will soon read the poems of Horace and will write them on your tablets of memory.