A.T. Robertson Commentary Matthew 27:23

"And he said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out exceedingly, saying, Let him be crucified." — Matthew 27:23 (ASV)

Why, what evil hath he done? (τ γαρ κακον εποιησεν; ). This was a feeble protest by a flickering conscience. Pilate descended to that level of arguing with the mob now inflamed with passion for the blood of Jesus, a veritable lynching fiasco. But this exhibition of weakness made the mob fear refusal by Pilate to proceed. So they "kept crying exceedingly" (περισσως εκραζον, imperfect tense of repeated action and vehemently) their demand for the crucifixion of Jesus. It was like a gladiatorial show with all thumbs turned down.