Albert Barnes Commentary John 18:35

"Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?" — John 18:35 (ASV)

Am I a Jew? Am I likely to be influenced by Jewish prejudices and partialities? Am I not, being a Roman, likely to judge impartially and to decide on the accusations without being biased by the malignant charges of the accusers?

Thine own nation and so forth. In this, Pilate denies that it was from anything he had observed that Jesus was arraigned. He admits that it was from the accusation of others; but then he tells the Saviour that the charge was one of importance and worthy of the deepest attention. It had come from the very nation of Jesus, from his own countrymen, and from the highest authority among the people. As such, it demanded consideration, and Pilate urged him to tell him what he had done—that is, what there had been in his conduct that had given occasion for this charge.