Nonetheless, Pilate allowed himself to be swayed by them. When the religious leaders tried to corner him by saying that he was no friend of Caesar if he released Jesus (JOHN 19:12), Pilate weighed his political options and realised it was too much of a risk to his reputation to release Jesus. As the crowd, stirred up by the chief priests, shouted, “Crucify him” (MARK 15:13–14), Pilate gave in to pressure and did what the religious authorities and the multitudes wanted: he had Jesus crucified and Barabbas freed (V. 15).

Pilate is an example of a selfish person who preferred to hold on to his own position, status, and power, even though he knew he was doing the wrong thing by sentencing Jesus, who was innocent, to the cross. His conscience was seared when he made the biggest compromise of his life.