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We will continue with Luke's account. We can see here what ruin and mal-justice can be wrought by people caught up in the heat of passion and hate. The Priests and Rulers of the people and done their "home work" this time. They did not come before Pilate unprepared as they had before. They had assembled a large crowd, disciples of the Pharisees, Herodians, paid troublemakers, criminals who were aware of the tradition of the Passover in regard to the release of a prisoner. A hand picked mob, all of whom had something against Jesus.
Notice Pilate objects to this new trial. He had judged the man innocent. He was also aware that Herod could find no fault in His either. Therefore, to appease them, he decided to "chastise" Jesus and then release Him. Why didn't Pilate do this? It is believed that his desire for justice was overcome by his desire for peace in Jerusalem. Most believe that Pilate was in fact asking for permission to release Jesus rather than making a judicial statement. He abdicated his power for the sake of peace and tranquility, after all, he was a long way from Rome. Having been charged by Rome with the keeping of the peace, Pilate was subject to this pressure.
Then, it appears, Pilate remembered the custom of the Passover, the releasing of a prisoner. Surly the Jews would choose Jesus over one that had been guilty of insurrection and murder, a man by the name of Barabbas. But the people chose Barabbas and cried for his release. Pilate is taken back by this obvious display of injustice, "What must I do with Jesus." and the mob cried out, "Crucify Him, crucify Him." The tone of their voices had changed from requesting to demanding, as though it was they that had the power over life and death and not Pilate. Then we see in verse 23 the saddest charge against Pilate, Luke simply says, "and their voices prevailed."
Who were "they" that cried 'Crucify Him'?" The Chief Priests, the Pharisees, the Herodians, the paid demonstrators and the hypocrites, their voices prevailed. So Pilate sentenced Jesus to death on the cross and granted their demands and He set Barabbas free.
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