Matthew 27:24 Quotes
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Source: Matthew 27:24
Author: Matthew
"When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it."
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
Context
After Pontius Pilate finds Jesus innocent of any crime, he wants to let him go. But the people refuse, so now Pilate's stuck: he doesn't really want to sentence Jesus to death, but he also doesn't want to go against the people.
His solution?
He symbolically washes his hands of the situation, supposedly removing any moral responsibility he might have. Good luck with that one at the pearly gates, P.P.
Where you've heard it
This is the sort of thing you might say in a last-ditch effort to shift the blame for something that's probably about to go horribly, horribly wrong—a group project, a house party, a complicated quiche, whatever.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
If you're gonna use this one, be ready to own it (although, like Pilate, there's a good chance you'll share the blame anyway).