Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 27:18
For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
Verse 18. For envy] , through malice. Then it was his business, as an upright judge, to have dispersed this mob, and immediately released Jesus.
Seeing malice is capable of putting even Christ himself to death, how careful should we be not to let the least spark of it harbour in our breast. Let it be remembered that malice as often originates from envy as it does from anger.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. He saw in their countenances, and by their charges against him, and by the whole of their conduct, that it was not out of any regard to Caesar, or to the peace and tranquillity of the civil government, or to strict justice; but from envy, at his popularity, at his fame and credit, the honour, glory, and applause he had among the people, on account of his doctrine, and miracles, that they had delivered him up into his hands; and therefore Pilate might the rather hope to succeed in this scheme of his to release him, by proposing him with so notorious a person to the populace, when the one, as he might reasonably judge, was abhorred by them, and the other had got great credit and esteem among a large number of them. The Persic version here adds the people’s answer; “they answered, release Barabbas, but deliver Jesus to us”.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
For envy ( ). Pilate was dense about many things, but he knew that the Jewish leaders were jealous of the power of Jesus with the people. He may have heard of the events of the Triumphal Entry and the Temple Teaching. The envy, of course, came primarily from the leaders.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
(18) He knew that for envy.Pilate knew enough of the accusers to see through the hollowness of their pretended zeal for their own religion, or for the authority of the emperor. He found their real motive in envyfear of the loss of influence and power, if the work of the new Teacher was to continue.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
18. Knew that for envy Pilate was perfectly satisfied that the charge brought by the Jews against Jesus, as seeking to be the rival king against Cesar, was a fiction. He knew the innocence of the accused. When he surrendered him he was guilty of innocent blood. No washing of his own hands could cleanse his soul or clear his character in history.
From the other evangelists we learn to supply several facts omitted by Matthew. Pilate, on learning that Jesus was of Galilee, sent him to Herod, the Tetrarch of Galilee, who was then in Jerusalem, hoping that he would dispose of his case. But Herod, after putting Jesus to mockery, remands him back to Pilate. Pilate endeavours to induce the Jews to allow Jesus to be dismissed with a few stripes, and they refuse with clamour. After he had endeavoured to have him released by amnesty, and they prefer the release of Barabbas, he washes his hands, in token of protesting his innocence of the death of Jesus. They respond loudly by taking the responsibility of his blood upon their own heads and their children’s. Pilate then surrenders Jesus apart, to mockery and scourges and then brings him out as a piteous spectacle, and presents him, with the words, Behold the man.” So far from being melted at the sight, they cry out the more to “crucify him!” On his demanding for what possible reason Jesus is to be crucified, they reply, “Because he called himself the Son of God.” Struck with this new charge, and with the strange assumption of this divine title by his prisoner, Pilate returns to Jesus to examine him, and is so impressed with his noble bearing as to make one more effort to save him. But at last the cry, “If you let this man go you are not Cesar’s friend,” settled the matter. Pilate did not bear to have his faithfulness to the emperor questioned, and to save his own position he sacrificed Jesus. He thus became sharer in their guilt. Taking his seat upon the tribunal of the pavement, so called, in front of his palace, he received the last rejection of Jesus by the Jews, and gave him up to death at about nine o’clock on Friday the day of the crucifixion.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘For he knew that for envy they had delivered him up.’
And the reason that Pilate was so desirous of getting Jesus released was because he was aware of the motives of the Jewish rulers. He recognised that they were acting out of spite and jealousy against Someone of Whom they were afraid because He had continually exposed them, and against Someone Who was more popular than they were. (Constant information would have come back to Pilate about Jesus’ activities. With the excitement He aroused among the crowds He was the kind of person Who would have been kept under strict observation). And he knew that if he could but get the crowds on Jesus’ side and arrange the release accordingly, using the custom previously referred to, he would be off the hook. However the problem that he had was that he still did not understand the mentality of certain Jews. Nor did he consider the fact that someone being championed by him was unlikely to be chosen. The last thing any of them wanted to do was to please Pilate.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Mat 27:18. (For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.) Pilate had probably heard of the stir made by the rulers on this occasion; and, as a prudent magistrate, could not but have inquired into the reason of it. The modesty with which Jesus appeared before him, must have given credit to the report that he had received; and theconfidence which Jesus placed in his innocence, by not replying to any charge that was brought against him, might have been sufficient to convince Pilate,that there was no fault in him. Nicodemus, or Joseph of Arimathea, might have been consulted by Pilate at the first appearance of the tumult; for Joseph of Arimathea most probably was personally acquainted with Pilate, as may be inferred from his going to him to beg the body of Jesus. We can have no doubt of their being acquainted, if Joseph was one of the council who assisted Pilate in managing the affairs of his province, and particularlyin judging causes. All governors of provinces had a council of this kind. Accordingly we find it mentioned, Act 25:12 by the name of . It is objected to Joseph’s being a member of Pilate’s council, that it was composed of Romans only; yet even on this supposition he might be a member of it, since he might have enjoyed the privileges of a Roman citizen, as well asSt. Paul. What other reason can be assigned for his being called , a counsellor, Luk 23:50 and an honourable counsellor? Mar 15:43 a name not commonly given to the members of the Sanhedrim, whose proper title was , rulers. Further, St. Luke tells us, Luk 23:51 that Joseph did not consent to the counsel ( ) and deed of them; that is to say, he did not agree to the advice which the governor’s council gave, when they desired him to gratify the Jews. See Macknight, Grotius, and Lardner’s Credibility, b. 1 Chronicles 2.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Mat 27:18 ] Had he not been aware, etc., he would not have thus attempted to effect the release of Jesus.
] The subject of the verb is, of course, the members of the Sanhedrim (Mat 27:2 ), whose dominant selfishness was too conspicuous in itself, as well as from the animus that characterized their behaviour, to escape his notice. They were jealous of the importance and influence of Jesus; denotes the motive which animated them: because of envy ; see Winer, p. 372 [E. T. 497]. This was the causa remotior .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
Ver. 18. For he knew that for envy ] His sin was the greater for his knowledge,Jas 4:17Jas 4:17 . Omne peccatum contra conscientiam aedificat ad gehennam, saith Gerson. When men imprison their light (that prophet from God), Rom 1:18 , and after conviction run away with the bit in their mouths, as it were, they run, without God’s greater mercy, upon their utter ruin and destruction. Tostatus truly observeth, that Solomon’s idolatry was a sin far more sinful than that of his wives, because against knowledge.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
18. ] The whole narrative presupposes what this verse and the next distinctly assert, that Pilate was before acquainted with the acts and character of Jesus .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mat 27:18 . , he knew, perhaps too strong a word, the fact being that he shrewdly suspected knew his men, and instinctively divined that if Jesus was a popular favourite the Pharisees would be jealous. This explains his sang froid in reference to the title “King of the Jews,” also his offering the name of Jesus to the people.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
knew = was aware. Greek. oida.
for = on account of. Greek. dia.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
18.] The whole narrative presupposes what this verse and the next distinctly assert, that Pilate was before acquainted with the acts and character of Jesus.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mat 27:18. , for envy) They envied Jesus because the people had adhered to Him.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
he: Gen 37:11, 1Sa 18:7-11, Psa 106:16, Pro 27:4, Ecc 4:4, Isa 26:11, Mar 15:10, Act 5:17, Act 7:9, Act 13:45, Jam 4:5
envy: Or, malice [Strong’s G5355], probably from , to decay, wither, pine away, according to that of Solomon. Pro 27:4
Reciprocal: 1Sa 17:28 – Eliab’s anger Dan 6:4 – sought Joh 18:38 – I find Act 17:5 – moved Act 25:10 – as thou 1Co 13:4 – envieth Heb 7:26 – made Jam 3:14 – if
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
7:18
They in this verse means the chief priests (Mar 15:10) who had been responsible for the arrest of Jesus. Since that was the case Pilate thought the people would not be so prejudiced against him and would certainly vote in favor of his release rather than such a dangerous character as Barabbas.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mat 27:18. For envy, of His popularity. This implies that Pilate knew something of Jesus before; but it shows his injustice, in not protecting Him as innocent. Still Pilate, while not wishing to directly oppose the rulers, really desired to thwart them.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 18
Envy; envy of his popularity and religious influence among the people.