GOSPEL READING

In verse 11, the governor asks Jesus if he is King of the Jews. This is the title which would be expected from someone not a Jew. It is the equivalent for Pilate to the High Priest calling Jesus the Messiah or Christ in 26,63. This becomes a subsidary title for Pilate in verses 17 and 22.
Jesus' answer to Pilate is rather vague.

Following accusations in verses 12-14, Jesus remains silent like the servant of Isaiah, Is 53,7. Matthew emphasises the point in verse 14 by adding "not one word".

The governor then sought a way out of his dilemma by releasing a prisoner for the feast. In Matthew, the governor offers the crowd a straight choice of Jesus or Barabbas. This is in contrast to Mark where the crowd proposes Barabbas as the alternative to Jesus (Mk 15,11).
"Bar" means "Son" (16,17) and "Abba" means "Father" (Mk 14,36). Hence "Son of the Father".

Verse 19 then has the intervention of Pilate's wife before this choice can be taken further. Pilate now sits on the judgement seat which shows the importance of this moment. The wife has had a dream like Joseph (1,20) or the magi (2,12), who like her were Gentiles. The key to the message is that Jesus is a righteous man (recalling Joseph, 1,19 and a key theme in this Gospel (5,20)). At this point in the Passion, it can also mean "innocent" (so, surprisingly, NRSV).
It would seem that by verse 18, Pilate is well aware of Jesus' innocence. This is now reinforced by the wife. Jesus is not just innocent, he is the truly righteous man doing the will of his Father.

Following that intervention, it is back to the choice of Barabbas or Jesus. The role of the chief priests and elders in persuading the crowd is stressed in verse 20. Pilate stresses the choice with Matthew adding "which of the two" in verse 21.

The response of the crowd, repeated in verses 22 and 23, is for the Roman execution of crucifixion.

This leads on to the fifth stage where Pilate gives in to the crowd and denies responsibility. "Washing hands among the innocent" is a biblical expression as for example Ps 26,6.

The reply to Pilate in verse 25 comes from the people, not the crowd. Speaking of the people indicates the people of Israel taking responsibility, the guilt on themselves. It is a reminder of the long history during which the leaders of the people rejected the prophets, as Jesus said, 23,34-35. There are echoes here of Jeremiah, so often a model for Jesus himself, Jer 26,12-15.

Verse 26 then ends the episode with Jesus once again being handed over (27,2); this time by Pilate to his soldiers. In 20,19, Jesus speaks of being handed over and scourged before being crucified.