Matthäus 27:18

18 Denn er wußte, daß sie ihn aus Neid überliefert 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 Sie hatten aber damals einen berüchtigten Gefangenen, genannt Barabbas.

17 Als sie nun versammelt waren, sprach Pilatus zu ihnen: Wen wollt ihr, daß ich euch losgeben soll, Barabbas oder Jesum, welcher Christus genannt wird?

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

19 Während er aber auf dem Richterstuhl saß, sandte sein Weib zu ihm und ließ ihm sagen: Habe du nichts zu schaffen mit jenem Gerechten; denn viel habe ich heute im Traum gelitten um seinetwillen.

20 Aber die Hohenpriester und die Ältesten überredeten die Volksmengen, daß sie um den Barabbas bäten, Jesum aber umbrächten.