Charles Ellicott 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? — This question testified to the judge’s conviction of the accused’s innocence, but it also revealed the judge's cowardice. He was startled by the passionate malice of the crowd and the priests but did not have the courage to resist it.

We find from Luke 23:22 that he resorted to the desperate expedient of suggesting a milder punishment: “I will chastise,” that is, scourge, “Him, and let Him go.” But the suggestion itself showed his weakness and therefore only stimulated the crowd to persist in their demand for death.