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When Pilate could not prevail upon the Jews to allow him to release Jesus, what did he do?
Matthew: “He took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person” ([xxvii, 24]).
Matthew does not appear to realize the absurdity of supposing that a Roman official would adopt a custom peculiar to a people whom he held in contempt.
“And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man shall wash their hands ... and they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood” ([Deuteronomy xx, 6, 7]).