Matthew 27:11-26

Jesus before Pilate (Mark 15:1 *, Luke 23:1; Luke 23:18). Mt. follows Mk. closely, but has an additional source of information on which he draws for Pilate's wife's dream and Pilate's handwashing. This source may also be the origin of the reading Jesus Barabbas (Matthew 27:16, Syr. Sin. and Origen), a reading which gives point to Pilate's question in Matthew 27:17 (Jesus Barabbas or Jesus Messiah ?). Such a name would be quite natural. In place of Mk.'s information about Barabbas, Mt. simply says he was a notable prisoner; he also makes Pilate anticipate the demand for a release. Jesus who is called Christ (Matthew 27:17; Matthew 27:22) is a phrase which would be more natural on the lips of an early Christian than on Pilate's. The whole narrative intensifies the guilt of the Jews; there is little doubt that Matthew 27:25 has been largely responsible for the malignity with which Christian communities and individuals long pursued Jews.