# Is “Wash your hands of it” in the Bible?

> Yes. “Wash your hands of it” comes from the Bible, from Matthew 27:24.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/wash-your-hands-of-it
By Andrew Kittridge · November 9, 2026

It is what Pontius Pilate does at the trial of Jesus.

## The verse

> Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, and that an uproar was breaking out instead. So he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am not guilty of this blood. You deal with it yourselves.”
>
> — [Matthew 27:24](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/27#24) (Lumin Translation)

The saying is not word for word. It shortens or reshapes the verse.

## What it means there

Pilate washes his hands in front of the crowd and says he is not guilty of this blood. He hands Jesus over to be crucified anyway.

## Common questions

### Is “Wash your hands of it” in the Bible?

Yes. “Wash your hands of it” comes from the Bible, from Matthew 27:24. The saying is not word for word. It shortens or reshapes the verse. It is what Pontius Pilate does at the trial of Jesus.

### Where in the Bible is “Wash your hands of it”?

In Matthew 27:24. In the Lumin Translation, Matthew 27:24 reads: “Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, and that an uproar was breaking out instead. So he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am not guilty of this blood. You deal with it yourselves.””

### Who said “Wash your hands of it”?

It is what Pontius Pilate does at the trial of Jesus.

### What does “Wash your hands of it” mean in the Bible?

Pilate washes his hands in front of the crowd and says he is not guilty of this blood. He hands Jesus over to be crucified anyway.

## More

- [Where is “Be still and know that I am God” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/be-still-and-know-that-i-am-god.md)
- [Where is “God has not given us a spirit of fear” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/god-has-not-given-us-a-spirit-of-fear.md)
- [Where is “No temptation has overtaken you” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/no-temptation-has-overtaken-you.md)
- [Where is “Perfect love casts out fear” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/perfect-love-casts-out-fear.md)
- [Where is “Delight yourself in the Lord” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/delight-yourself-in-the-lord.md)
- [Where is “God is our refuge and strength” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/god-is-our-refuge-and-strength.md)
- [Where is “Children are a heritage from the Lord” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/children-are-a-heritage-from-the-lord.md)
- [Where is “Guard your heart” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/guard-your-heart.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)