Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 18:31

"Pilate therefore said unto them, Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law. The Jews said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:" — John 18:31 (ASV)

Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law.

"That is your way of doing such things, but it is not a method we will follow. Our law does not condemn a man before it hears the evidence against him. I am not going to be your tool, to put this man to death without hearing the charges against him, and the proofs of his guilt. If you want that done, you must do it yourselves."

The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:

"You Romans have taken from us the power of life and death, and we want him put to death." There was a clear confession that nothing short of Christ's death would satisfy them.