When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

MATTHEW 27:19KJV
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Matthew 27:19 (KJV)

What does Matthew 27:19 mean?

Matthew 27:19 describes how, while Pilate was sitting as judge, his wife sent him a message warning him not to get involved with Jesus, whom she calls a just man, because she had suffered greatly in a dream about him that day. This verse shows Pilate receiving a personal warning about Jesus’ innocence through his wife’s troubling dream.

In this scene, Pilate is the Roman governor presiding over Jesus’ trial, and his wife interrupts the proceedings with an urgent message. She refers to Jesus as “that just man,” highlighting his innocence, and her dream is presented as a serious and distressing experience. The verse adds tension to the trial by showing that even Pilate’s household is unsettled about condemning Jesus.

The Greek behind Matthew 27:19

  • ἡ γυνή (hē gynē, “wife”): The Greek word for “wife” emphasizes that this warning comes from someone close to Pilate, adding a personal and emotional element to the story.
  • δίκαιος (dikaios, “just” or “righteous”): Pilate’s wife calls Jesus “that just man,” using a word that means morally upright or innocent. This term underlines that Jesus is not guilty of any wrongdoing, at least in her eyes.
  • ὄναρ (onar, “dream”): The Greek word for “dream” here often refers to a significant or supernatural dream, not just an ordinary nighttime thought. This suggests her warning is meant to be taken seriously, possibly as a divine message.

Why Matthew 27:19 matters

  • This verse highlights that even those outside the Jewish leadership, like Pilate’s wife, recognize Jesus’ innocence, adding weight to the sense of injustice in the trial.
  • The warning from Pilate’s wife introduces a supernatural element, suggesting that what is happening to Jesus is not just a human affair but has deeper spiritual significance.
  • Matthew 27:19 builds dramatic tension by showing Pilate caught between public pressure and private warnings, helping readers understand the complexity of his decision.

Where else these words appear

“dream” Greek G3677 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
  • Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
  • Matthew 2:19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

“seat” Greek G968 · used in 12 verses

  • John 19:13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.
  • Acts 18:12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,
  • Acts 25:10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

“day” Greek G4594 · used in 40 verses

  • Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
  • Luke 13:33 Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
  • Acts 26:29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

“suffered” Greek G3958 · used in 41 verses

  • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
  • Acts 3:18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
  • Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.