Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 27:18

"For he knew that for envy they had delivered him up." — Matthew 27:18 (ASV)

For he knew that for envy, etc. This was envy due to his popularity. He drew the people away from them. Pilate probably understood this from his knowledge of the rulers' pride and ambition, and from the fact that no danger could arise from a person that appeared like Jesus.

If Pilate knew this, he himself was bound to release him. As a governor and judge, he was bound to protect the innocent and, despite all the opposition of the Jews, should have immediately set him at liberty.

But the Scriptures could not then have been fulfilled. It was necessary, for an atonement to be made, that Jesus should be condemned to die. At the same time, this shows the wisdom of God's overruling providence, that he was condemned by a man who was convinced of his innocence and who proclaimed before his accusers his full belief that there was no fault in him.