Matthew Chapter 27 verse 23 Holy Bible

ASV Matthew 27:23

And he said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out exceedingly, saying, Let him be crucified.
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BBE Matthew 27:23

And he said, Why, what evil has he done? But they gave loud cries, saying, To the cross with him!
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DARBY Matthew 27:23

And the governor said, What evil then has he done? But they cried more than ever, saying, Let him be crucified.
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KJV Matthew 27:23

And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
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WBT Matthew 27:23


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WEB Matthew 27:23

But the governor said, "Why? What evil has he done?" But they cried out exceedingly, saying, "Let him be crucified!"
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YLT Matthew 27:23

And the governor said, `Why, what evil did he?' and they were crying out the more, saying, `Let be crucified.'
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Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerse 23. - Why, what evil hath he done? Τί γὰρ κακὸν ἐποίησεν; The particle γὰρ implies a certain reasoning in the question, the speaker for the nonce putting himself in the people's position, and demanding the ground of their decision. The authorized translation is adequate. Pilate thus showed his pusillanimity and irresolution, while exercising no control over the feelings of the excited mob. But they cried out the more (περισσῶς ἔκραζον, they kept shouting out exceedingly). The very sight of the governor's predilection, combined with his indecision, excited them to more vehement clamour; they saw that he would end by yielding to their violence. Jerome refers, in illustration, to Isaiah 5:7, "He looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry."

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(23) Why, what evil hath he done?--The question attested the judge's conviction of the innocence of the accused, but it attested also the cowardice of the judge. He was startled at the passionate malignity of the cry of the multitude and the priests, but had not the courage to resist it. We find from Luke 23:22. that he had recourse to the desperate expedient of suggesting a milder punishment--"I will chastise," i.e., scourge, "Him, and let Him go;" but the suggestion itself showed his weakness, and therefore did but stimulate the crowd to persist in their demand for death.