Matthew 27:24 says, “When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, ‘I am INNOCENT of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.’” This verse is very well-known among professing Christians, for in the so-called “Apostle’s Creed” there is a line that says Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.” As we shall see, Pilate had the power to release Jesus, but because he wanted to appease the Jews, we read the following, “Then he released Barabbas to them; and when HE HAD SCOURGED JESUS, HE DELIVERED HIM TO BE CRUCIFIED” (verse 26). The fact that he knew Jesus was a JUST Person, adds to the GUILT of Pilate. He may think he had “washed his hands” of the matter and was innocent, but he shall stand before the Lord Jesus one day to give an account of his UNRIGHTEOUS ACT of having a JUST man condemned to death. There are other factors that add to his guilt in having Christ crucified. Here are two accounts that will torment Pilate throughout eternity:

In Matthew 27:19 we read, “While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, ‘Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things in a dream because of Him.’” Pilate’s own wife was convinced Jesus was a JUST and INNOCENT man and she had a restless night of sleep which included a very bad dream that convinced her to tell her husband to “have nothing to do with that Just Man.” Her conscience was troubled, and it would seem her warning to Pilate pricked his conscience as well, for after hearing this he tried several times to have Jesus released. Hell is described as a place “where their WORM does not die, and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:44) The “worm” may speak of the “conscience” which will never give the lost sinner rest, for it will remind them throughout eternity of when they DID WRONG when they could have DONE RIGHT (see Romans 2:15).  

But the most glaring account is found in John 19:9-16 where Pilate confronted Jesus for the last time before the crucifixion. Let’s read verses 9-11, “and [he] went into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, ‘Where are You from?’ But Jesus gave him no answer. Then Pilate said to Him, ‘Are you not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?’  Jesus answered, ‘You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the GREATER SIN.’” Pilate learned two things here: 1) That “his power” was given to him by God and thus he would be held accountable to God for that power. In other words, a “day of reckoning is coming where he will have to answer for having a JUST and INNOCENT Man crucified.” 2) Jesus’ last words to him revealed his “abuse of power” was a SIN, for even though the Jews who delivered Him to Pilate had “the greater sin,” this implied that Pilate too was committing an “act of sin” by condemning an innocent man to death. Now let’s read verses 12-16, “From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, ‘If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.’ When Pilate therefore heard that saying he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat….and said to the Jews, “Behold your King!’ But they cried out, ‘Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him! Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Ceasar!” THEN HE DELIVERED HIM TO THEM TO BE CRUCIFIED. So, they took Jesus and led Him away.” Here was Pilate’s last chance to do what was right, but his “fear of man” (see Proverbs 29:25) was greater than his “fear of God” (see Matthew 10:28). And his desire to retain his position as Governor was also in play here, so in spite of all the knowledge he had been given about Jesus (that He was a JUST Man, a King, and the Son of God), he gave into the people and committed the greatest “travesty of justice” ever committed by condemning Jesus to death!

It is solemn to think that the day is coming when the “tables with be turned,” for Pilate will stand before Jesus at the Great White Throne Judgment (see Revelation 20:10-15) and he will realize then that “his hands were NOT washed of his unjust act of having Jesus crucified.” And I will add in closing that no one will be “exonerated from blame” in that day if they do not receive eternal life through faith in Christ, for all are “guilty sinners” who deserve DEATH and JUDGMENT (Romans 3:19, 23; 6:23; Hebrews 9:27). They will not be able to claim they are “innocent” for they will have had the opportunity to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” for forgiveness and salvation (Acts 13:38-39 & 16:31), but their UNBELIEF will condemn them to God’s wrath in the lake of fire forever and ever (John 3:36 and Revelation 20:15).  (DO)  (693.5)