Again Pilate proposed to release the Saviour. "But the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend." Thus these hypocrites pretended to be jealous for the authority of Caesar. Of all the opponents of the Roman rule, the Jews were most bitter. When it was safe for them to do so, they were most tyrannical in enforcing their own national and religious requirements; but when they desired to bring about some purpose of cruelty, they exalted the power of Caesar. To accomplish the destruction of Christ, they would profess loyalty to the foreign rule which they hated.

Atter foreslog Pilatus at frigive Frelseren. "Men jøderne råbte og sagde: Hvis du giver ham fri, er du ikke kejserens ven." Således foregav disse hyklere at være omsorgsfulde for kejserens myndighed. Blandt alle modstandere af det romerske styre var jøderne de mest hårdnakkede. Når de kunne gøre det med sikkerhed, var de i høj grad tyranniske med at fremtvinge deres egne nationale og religiøse krav; men når de ønskede at fremme et eller andet grusomt formål, lovpriste de kejserens magt. For at fuldbyrde Kristi tilintetgørelse var de villige til at foregive loyalitet over for det styre, som de hadede.