“So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.” Matt. 27: 17-18
Pilate, being a man of the world, recognized the worldly motivation of the religious leaders. They may have told themselves that their motivation was to protect their “place” (or the Temple) and their nation, but he saw through it.