And Pilate, calling together the chief priests, and the magistrates, and the people,

Then calling together the High Priests and the Rulers and the people, Pilate said,

And Pilate sent for the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them,

And Pilate, calling together the leaders of the priests, and the magistrates, and the people,

So Pilate summoned the chief priests, and the leading men, and the people,

(4) And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the (d) rulers and the people,
(4) Christ is acquitted the second time, even by him of whom he is condemned, so that it might appear in what way he who is just, redeemed us who were unjust.
(d) Those whom the Jews called the sanhedrin.

And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests,.... That is, after Herod had sent back Christ unto him, he then summoned the chief priests together, to consider what should be done to him: and with them also,
the rulers and the people; both the civil and ecclesiastical rulers, and the chief among the people, who had been forward in accusing Jesus, and seeking his death: the latter of these is not read in the Persic version; and both are joined together in the Syriac and Ethiopic versions, and read thus; by the former, "the princes, or chiefs of the people": and by the latter, "the judges of the people": in a word, he convened the whole sanhedrim, which consisted of the chief priests, Scribes, and elders of the people.

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.