15 no, nor yet Herod, for I sent you back unto him, and lo, nothing worthy of death is having been done by him; 16 having chastised, therefore, I will release him,' 17 for it was necessary for him to release to them one at every feast, 18 and they cried out—the whole multitude—saying, 'Away with this one, and release to us Barabbas,' 19 who had been, because of a certain sedition made in the city, and murder, cast into prison. 20 Pilate again then—wishing to release Jesus—called to them, 21 but they were calling out, saying, 'Crucify, crucify him.' 22 And he a third time said unto them, 'Why, what evil did he? no cause of death did I find in him; having chastised him, then, I will release 'him'.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 23:15-22
Commentary on Luke 23:13-25
(Read Luke 23:13-25)
The fear of man brings many into this snare, that they will do an unjust thing, against their consciences, rather than get into trouble. Pilate declares Jesus innocent, and has a mind to release him; yet, to please the people, he would punish him as an evil-doer. If no fault be found in him, why chastise him? Pilate yielded at length; he had not courage to go against so strong a stream. He delivered Jesus to their will, to be crucified.