Matthew 27:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?"

NIV: Then Pilate asked him, "Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?"

NASB: Then Pilate *said to Him, 'Do You not hear how many things they are testifying against You?'

CSB: Then Pilate said to him, "Don’t you hear how much they are testifying against you?"

NLT: Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?' Pilate demanded.

KJV: Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

NKJV: Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?”

Pontius Pilate was no friend to the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin. History depicts Pilate as harsh and cruel. He was reported not to like the Jewish people, in general. Prior to Jesus' arrival, he was associated with incidents of civil unrest prompted by his own arrogant insults of the Jewish people. Afterwards, he was removed from his position, apparently due to another such ugly scene. He recognizes the personal vendetta Jesus' enemies are pursuing (Matthew 27:18). He was not the kind of politician to condemn a prisoner just to satisfy a high priest. However, the fragility of his political position may have been known, and one reason the religious leaders have come with an agitated crowd (Matthew 27:24).

The question Pilate asks here is incredulous. The real meaning is "aren't you going to respond to this?" Pilate wants Jesus to answer. He has every reason to hear the other side of the story. The Jewish leaders were basically accusing Jesus of being a rebel who was trying to stir up the people to overthrow Rome. Jesus, though, did not have the look of that kind of man. He was calm, resolved, and silent.

Matthew 27:11–26 describes Jesus' trial before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. The Jewish religious leaders are asking Pilate to condemn Jesus to death, hurling accusations. Pilate is amazed that Jesus remains silent, barely saying anything in His own defense. Pilate offers the Passover crowds the choice between releasing Jesus or releasing Barabbas. They choose Barabbas and call for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate recognizes the obvious feud driving this persecution; he is more concerned with civil order than with justice. He agrees to execute Jesus while claiming no responsibility for the decision. Further details are found in Mark 15:1–15, Luke 23:1–25, and John 18:28—19:16.

When Judas learns Jesus has been condemned, he regrets betraying the Lord. He throws down his ill-gotten money and hangs himself. Jesus is taken to Pilate, who finds nothing to charge Him with. Given the choice, the people shout for the release of a convicted murderer and insist on Jesus' death. Jesus is mocked by a battalion of soldiers and then taken to be crucified. On the cross, He is mocked for not being able to save Himself. After three hours of darkness, Jesus dies. He is buried by a rich follower in a new tomb. This location is tightly guarded to prevent anyone from stealing the body.

Matthew 27 begins with an official meeting of the Jewish ruling council. They affirm Jesus' condemnation from the previous night, described in chapter 26. Judas confesses his betrayal and hangs himself. Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the mob shouts for Jesus to be crucified. Jesus is humiliated by Roman soldiers and marched to be executed. On the cross, He is mocked by Jewish religious leaders and others. He dies and is buried in a never-used tomb. Extensive efforts to secure His body from being stolen only serve to prove the miraculous nature of His resurrection, which is detailed in chapter 28.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.