{Why, what evil hath he done?} (	i gar kakon epoi(8873)en;).
This was a feeble protest by a flickering conscience. Pilate
descended to that level of arguing with the mob now inflamed with
passion for the blood of Jesus, a veritable lynching fiasco. But
this exhibition of weakness made the mob fear refusal by Pilate
to proceed. So they "kept crying exceedingly" (periss(9373)
ekrazon, imperfect tense of repeated action and vehemently)
their demand for the crucifixion of Jesus. It was like a
gladiatorial show with all thumbs turned down.