Matteo 27:18

18 Perciocchè egli sapeva che glielo aveano messo nelle mani per invidia.

Matteo 27:18 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 27:18

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".

Matteo 27:18 In-Context

16 E allora aveano un prigione segnalato, detto Barabba.

17 Essendo essi adunque raunati, Pilato disse loro: Qual volete che io vi liberi, Barabba ovvero Gesù, detto Cristo?

18 Perciocchè egli sapeva che glielo aveano messo nelle mani per invidia.

19 Ora, sedendo egli in sul tribunale, la sua moglie gli mandò a dire: Non aver da far nulla con quel giusto, perciocchè io ho sofferto oggi molto per lui in sogno.

20 Ma i principali sacerdoti, e gli anziani, persuasero le turbe che chiedessero Barabba, e che facessero morir Gesù.