Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Matthew 27:24 - 27:24
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Washed his hands (apenipsato tas cheiras). As a last resort since the hubbub (thorubos) increased because of his vacillation. The verb aponiptō means to wash off and the middle voice means that he washed off his hands for himself as a common symbol of cleanliness and added his pious claim with a slap at them.
I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man (or this blood); see ye to it. (Athōios eimi apo tou haimatos tou dikaiou toutou or tou haimatos toutou as some manuscripts have it, humeis opsesthe.) The Jews used this symbol (Deu 21:6; Psa 26:6; Psa 73:13). Plummer doubts if Pilate said these words with a direct reference to his wife’s message (Mat 26:19), but I fail to see the ground for that scepticism. The so-called Gospel of Peter says that Pilate washed his hands because the Jews refused to do so.