Bible Strands
Matthew 27:22
“What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Pilate poses a direct question to the assembled crowd after they have selected Barabbas for release, asking what action he should take regarding Jesus. The crowd immediately responds in unison by demanding His execution.
The words — ποιήσω (poiēsō) literally means "shall I do with," framing Pilate's legal hesitation. Ἰησοῦν (Iēsoun) identifies the accused specifically as Jesus, the central figure of the trial.
The thread — The scene parallels the suffering servant described in Isaiah 53:2 and Isaiah 49:7, while John 19:14 records Pilate's parallel declaration of Jesus as king during the same trial.
Why it lands — The text forces a binary choice between accepting or rejecting Jesus as Christ. It requires the reader to confront their own alignment with either the crowd’s demand for crucifixion or the governor’s unanswered question.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 53:2 He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him.
- John 19:14 It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your King!”
- Isaiah 49:7 Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, to Him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the Servant of rulers: “Kings will see You and rise, and princes will bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen You.”
- Mark 15:12 So Pilate asked them again, “What then do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?”
- Acts 13:38 Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
- Psalms 22:8 “He trusts in the LORD, let the LORD deliver him; let the LORD rescue him, since He delights in him.”
- Zechariah 11:8 And in one month I dismissed three shepherds. My soul grew impatient with the flock, and their souls also detested me.
- Matthew 1:16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
- Matthew 27:17 So when the crowd had assembled, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
- Mark 14:55 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any.