13 And Pilate having called together the chief priests, and the rulers, and the people, 14 said unto them, 'Ye brought to me this man as perverting the people, and lo, I before you having examined, found in this man no fault in those things ye bring forward against him; 15 no, nor yet Herod, for I sent you back unto him, and lo, nothing worthy of death is having been done by him; 16 having chastised, therefore, I will release him,'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 23:13-16
Commentary on Luke 23:13-25
(Read Luke 23:13-25)
The fear of man brings many into this snare, that they will do an unjust thing, against their consciences, rather than get into trouble. Pilate declares Jesus innocent, and has a mind to release him; yet, to please the people, he would punish him as an evil-doer. If no fault be found in him, why chastise him? Pilate yielded at length; he had not courage to go against so strong a stream. He delivered Jesus to their will, to be crucified.