Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 23:25

25 And he released unto them, him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

The History of our Saviours Examination and Trial, before Pilate the Roman Governour of Iudea, is recorded by all four Evangelists, nor can it be distinctly and perfectly understood, without the comparing together of what they all say, which we did in our Notes on Matth. 27. from v. 1. to v. 27. where our Reader will find all such passages opened, as occurr in any of the Evangelists about it, and stand in need of explication. See the Notes there. The High Priests, and the chief Priests, and the Elders, had before determined our Saviour Guilty of Death, for Blasphemy, they stoned Stephen in that case, Acts 7.59. without carrying him before the Roman Governour at all, that we read of in that History; how came it to pass that they did not so by our Saviour, but make a double work of it? 1. Some think that that was rather done in a tumult, tho he was carried before the Council, Acts 6.12. than in a regular judicious way, for Conquerors in those times, tho they sometimes allowed the Nations conquered Courts [illegible: 1 letter]f judicature, wherein they judged in ordinary matters, according to their own Laws, and had judges of their own Nations, yet ordinarily reserved Capital causes to the cognisance of Governours constituted by them; and this seemeth confirmed by Iohn 18.31. where when Pilate said. Take ye him, and judge him according to your Law, we read that the Jews replied. It is not Lawful for us to put any to Death. 2. Others think that they had a Power to put to Death, but it was not Lawful for them to put any to Death upon the Feast Day. It was now the first Day of Vnleavened Bread. But the former seemeth more probable. 3. Or was it because they had Sedition and Treason, to lay to his charge, which were crimes cognoscible only before the Roman Governour? and possibly they were willing enough (knowing the Reputation our Saviour had with the People) to lay the Odium of his Death upon Pilate, rather than take it upon themselves. 4. Whatever were the causes, it is most certain that it could be no otherwise, that all Righteousness might be fulfilled, not a Word of what our Saviour said could pass away, he had soretold Matth. 20.19. Mark 10.33. Luke 18.32. that he should not only be betrayed to the chief Priests and Scribes, and by them be Condemned to Death, but that he should be delivered to the Gentiles, to Mock, and to Scourge, and to Crucifie; and indeed that way of putting to Death by Crucifying, could only be done by the Gentiles, and that Death he was to Dye. In the History of our Saviours examination before Pilate is observable, 1. How much more Justice and Equity our Saviour found from a Heathen, than from the Iewish Church-men, the latter Condemn him without any Proof, after all attempts of subornation, and seek to destroy him right or wrong. Pilate useth all indeavours to deliver him and set him at liberty. 2. How desperate the hatred is that groweth upon the account of Religion, in the hearts of wicked Men; they prefer a Person guilty of the highest Immoralities, and Debaucheries▪ viz. Sedition and Murder, before the most innocent Person that ever lived, who differed only from them in so[illegible: 1 letter]e Points of Religion, and those chiefly relating to Traditions and Ceremonies; but indeed he interpreted the Will of God more strictly than their Lusts would suffer them to interprete it, and lived another kind of Life than they lived. Strictness and Holiness of Doctrine and Life, is that which inrageth the Men of the World against the Preachers and professors of the Gospel. But see the Notes on Matth. 27. more fully.