Matthew Poole and continuators on John 19:12

12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him : but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Cesars friend : Whosoever maketh himself a king, speaketh against Cesar.

He sought all fair and plausible means to release him, being convinced in his own conscience, that he was an innocent man:

but the Iews double their clamors, and (according to the usual acts of Sycophants) quit their charge as to Religion, tho that was the true and real cause of all their malice; and pursue onely the charge which was proper for the Cognisance of the Roman Governor of Sed[illegible: 1 letter]tion or Rebellion, and tacitly accuse Pilate as a Traytor, and being false to his trust, if he should let our Saviour go; for no man could set up himself as a King, but he must proclaim himself a Traytor to the Roman Emperor.

Marginal references: Acts 17.7.