28 They led Jesus then from Caiaphas to the Roman governor's palace. It was early morning. They themselves didn't enter the palace because they didn't want to be disqualified from eating the Passover. 29 So Pilate came out to them and spoke. "What charge do you bring against this man?" 30 They said, "If he hadn't been doing something evil, do you think we'd be here bothering you?" 31 Pilate said, "You take him. Judge him by your law." 32 (This would confirm Jesus' word indicating the way he would die.)
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 18:28-32
Commentary on John 18:28-32
(Read John 18:28-32)
It was unjust to put one to death who had done so much good, therefore the Jews were willing to save themselves from reproach. Many fear the scandal of an ill thing, more than the sin of it. Christ had said he should be delivered to the Gentiles, and they should put him to death; hereby that saying was fulfilled. He had said that he should be crucified, lifted up. If the Jews had judged him by their law, he had been stoned; crucifying never was used among the Jews. It is determined concerning us, though not discovered to us, what death we shall die: this should free us from disquiet about that matter. Lord, what, when, and how, thou hast appointed.