Matthew 27:23 - Exposition

Why, what evil hath he done? τι ì γα Ì ρ κακο Ì ν ἐποι ì ησεν ; The particle γα Ì ρ implies a certain reasoning in the question, the speaker for the nonce putting himself in the people's position, and demanding the ground of their decision. The authorized translation is adequate. Pilate thus showed his pusillanimity and irresolution, while exercising no control over the feelings of the excited mob. But they cried out the more ( περισσῶς ἐ ì κραζον , they kept shouting out exceedingly ) . The very sight of the governor's predilection, combined with his indecision, excited them to more vehement clamour; they saw that he would end by yielding to their violence. Jerome refers, in illustration, to Isaiah 5:7 , "He looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry."