Luke 23:18-25 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

They cried out all at once Thus, by giving ground a little, and proposing to chastise Jesus, to satisfy these wretches, Pilate only encouraged them to press on the more, and become more violent in their clamours for his crucifixion; saying, Away with this man Αιρε τουτον, tolle istum in crucem, crucify this fellow; and release unto us Barabbas, who for a certain sedition, and for murder, was cast into prison Thus the Jewish rulers demanded the release of a notorious villain, who had really been guilty of the crime whereof they had falsely accused Jesus; had made an insurrection with some accomplices; and had also committed murder in the insurrection, a crime which, though their impudence exceeded all bounds, they durst not lay to Christ's charge. For this infamous creature the people likewise begged life, preferring him to the Son of God, who had always made it his whole study to do them good! Pilate, therefore, willing Or rather, desirous; to release Jesus, spake again to them Luke does not tell us what the governor said to the people, but the other evangelists have supplied that defect. See on Matthew 27:15-25, and Mark 15:6-15. But they Without so much as offering any further reason, persisted in their importunity; and cried out as before, Crucify him, crucify him They not only would have him to die, but to die in the most ignominious and painful manner: nothing less will satisfy them than that he should be crucified. And he Pilate; said unto them the third time, Why? What evil hath he done Name his crime. What can you prove against him? I have found no cause of death No cause why he should be put to death. We may observe here, as Peter, a disciple of Christ, dishonoured him by denying him thrice; so Pilate, a heathen, honoured Christ by thrice owning him to be innocent. I will therefore As I said, (Luke 23:16,) chastise him By scourging, and then I hope your rage will be moderated, and you will be prevailed upon to agree that I should let him go, without any further punishment. But popular fury, the more it is complimented, the more furious it grows. Hence they were instant with loud voices With great noises or outcries; not requesting, but requiring that he might be crucified As if they had as much right at the feast to demand the crucifying of one that was innocent as the release of one that was guilty! And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed Pilate at length yielded to their importunity, and consented to do what was contrary both to the conviction and inclination of his own mind, not having courage to withstand so strong a stream. He gave sentence that it should be as they required Here we see judgment turned away backward, and justice standing afar off, for fear of popular fury! truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. He released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, &c. Who hereby would be hardened in his wickedness, and do the more mischief; whom they desired Being altogether such a one as themselves; but he delivered Jesus to their will And he could not have dealt more barbarously with him than to deliver him to the will of them who hated him with a perfect hatred, and whose tender mercies were cruelties.