"Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?" Matthew 27:17. They replied, "Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas." Luke 23:18. Pilate was dumb with surprise and disappointment. By yielding his own judgment and appealing to the people, he had lost his dignity and the control of the crowd. After that, he was only the tool of the mob. They swayed him at their will.

"Hvem vil I, at jeg skal løslade jer. Barabbas eller Jesus, som kaldes Kristus" Matt. 27,15. og 17. De svarede: "Bort med ham, men lad os få Barabbas løsladt!" Luk. 23,18. Pilatus blev målløs af forfærdelse og skuffelse. Ved at opgive sin egen mening og appellere til folket mistede han sin værdighed og sit herredømme over mængden. Herefter var han kun et redskab i pøbelens hånd. De bøjede ham efter deres vilje.