And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.
Pilate.
Matthew 27:26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
Mark 15:15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
John 19:1 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
gave sentence.
Exodus 23:2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
Proverbs 17:15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
it.
Exodus 23:2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
that their demand
The "demand" refers to the insistence of the Jewish leaders and the crowd to crucify Jesus (Luke 23:21-23). This demand was fueled by religious leaders who saw Jesus as a threat to their authority and the status quo. The crowd's call for crucifixion was a result of manipulation and incitement by these leaders, demonstrating the power of mob mentality and the influence of religious authorities in that era.
be met.
Pilate's decision to meet their demand underscores the fulfillment of prophecy and divine plan. Isaiah 53:7-8 speaks of the suffering servant who would be led to slaughter, and Jesus' crucifixion fulfills this prophecy. This act also typifies Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb, aligning with the Passover lamb in Exodus 12, symbolizing deliverance and atonement for sin. Despite the injustice, this moment is pivotal in God's redemptive plan for humanity.
• The word “So” links Pilate’s final action to the mounting pressure from the crowd (Luke 23:22-23).
• Scripture presents a clear sequence: repeated shouts for crucifixion, rising unrest, and Pilate’s fear of a riot (Mark 15:14-15; John 19:12).
• “So” shows the tragic pivot from hesitation to capitulation—fulfilling God’s foretold plan (Acts 4:27-28).
• As Rome’s governor, Pilate held legal authority (John 18:31), yet three times he affirmed Jesus’ innocence (Luke 23:4, 14, 22).
• His decision exposes the weakness of worldly power when confronted with popular demand (Matthew 27:24).
• Although Pilate acted, the Lord remained sovereign, steering events toward the cross foretold in Isaiah 53:7-8.
• The verb underscores an official, final verdict: Jesus is handed over to be crucified (John 19:16).
• Pilate’s judgment came despite clear evidence of no crime—highlighting humanity’s rejection of the righteous One (Acts 3:13-14).
• This legal decree, though unjust, became the doorway to our redemption (Romans 5:8-9).
• “Their demand” points to the crowd stirred up by religious leaders (Mark 15:11; Matthew 27:20).
• They preferred Barabbas—an insurrectionist—over the true King (Luke 23:18-19).
• The exchange pictures substitution: the guilty goes free, the innocent dies—foreshadowing the gospel itself (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18).
• By granting the demand, Pilate unwittingly aligns with prophecy that Messiah would be “cut off” (Daniel 9:26) and “numbered with transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12).
Luke 23:24 records the moment Pilate, succumbing to public pressure, pronounces the sentence that sends Jesus to the cross. Each phrase reveals a layer of divine purpose: a reluctant governor, an unjust verdict, and a clamoring crowd—all woven into God’s exact plan for salvation. What looks like human failure becomes heaven’s victory, securing our redemption through the willing sacrifice of the spotless Lamb.
(24-28) And Pilate gave sentence.--See Notes on Matthew 27:24-30; Mark 15:15-19. St. Luke's account is here the briefest of the four, St. John's by far the fullest. Here we read nothing of the outrages of Pilate's troops, the purple robe, and the crown of thorns. The omissions are significant, in conjunction with that which is peculiar to him, as pointing to the sources of his information. Those who were present at Herod's court were not likely to know fully what was passing in the Praetorium.Verse 24. - And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. This sums up the result of the last charge of the Sanhedrin. Pilate's selfish fears for himself overpowered all sense of reverence, awe, and justice. There was no further discussion. Bar-Abbas was released, and Jesus was delivered up to the will of his enemies.