Matthew 27:24–26 (ESV)
Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified
24 So
when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And
all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
I like to think of Pilate as a pawn in God’s plan of salvation. He didn’t want to condemn Jesus, but it seems that he really had no choice…
or perhaps be killed himself or lose his political office. He really wanted no part of it. The Lutheran Study Bible states: “Pilate condemns Jesus to death while he seeks to absolve himself of responsibility for it. No matter how a sinner
tries to evade responsibility for sin, he cannot wash himself of it. Thanks be to God that Christ took responsibility for the sins of the whole world and let Himself be crucified for our sakes.”
I pray: I am guilty, Lord; grant me Your forgiveness and a new heart. Amen.
Edward A. Engelbrecht, The
Lutheran Study Bible (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2009), 1647.