John Calvin Commentary John 19:8

"When Pilate therefore heard this saying, he was the more afraid;" — John 19:8 (ASV)

He was the more afraid. These words may be explained in two ways. The first is that Pilate dreaded that some blame would be attributed to him if a tumult arose because he had not condemned Christ. The second is that, after hearing the name of the Son of God, his mind was moved by religion. This second view is confirmed by what immediately follows: