Matthäus 27:18

18 Denn er wußte wohl, daß sie ihn aus Neid überantwortet hatten.

Matthäus 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".

Matthäus 27:18 In-Context

16 Er hatte aber zu der Zeit einen Gefangenen, einen sonderlichen vor anderen, der hieß Barabbas.

17 Und da sie versammelt waren, sprach Pilatus zu ihnen: Welchen wollt ihr, daß ich euch losgebe? Barabbas oder Jesus, von dem gesagt wird, er sei Christus?

18 Denn er wußte wohl, daß sie ihn aus Neid überantwortet hatten.

19 Und da er auf dem Richtstuhl saß, schickte sein Weib zu ihm und ließ ihm sagen: Habe du nichts zu schaffen mit diesem Gerechten; ich habe heute viel erlitten im Traum seinetwegen.

20 Aber die Hohenpriester und die Ältesten überredeten das Volk, daß sie um Barabbas bitten sollten und Jesus umbrächten.