Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 18:39

"But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?" — John 18:39 (ASV)

Aware, however, that there were political overtones in the situation that called for some sort of action, Pilate groped for a solution that would be satisfactory to all concerned. Although no other record of it can be found, there must have been the custom of releasing one prisoner at every Passover as a means of placating the Jewish population. Pilate seized on the opportunity to appeal to the masses and suggested that he would release Jesus if they demanded it. His proposal assumed that Jesus was popular with the general crowd, who did not always favor the hierarchy. Pilate may also have been indulging in finely honed sarcasm when he referred to Jesus as “the king of the Jews.” If Jesus were not released, the people would be guilty of the death of the one they called their king.