Luke 23:20-23

Luke noted again (Luke 23:14; Luke 23:16) that Pilate wanted to release Jesus, but his appeal for reason only led to increased demands for Jesus’ punishment (cf. Matthew 27:22; Mark 15:13). The Jews now called for Jesus’ crucifixion, the worst of all possible punishments. A third appeal for reason only led to louder and stronger cries for Jesus’ crucifixion. Finally the loud cries of the crowd made Pilate conclude that he could not convince them. It was the will of the people, not Pilate, that led to Jesus’ crucifixion. At this climax of chaos, what is it that emerges most clearly in the text?

"The innocence of Jesus could not be more firmly underlined." [Note: Marshall, The Gospel . . ., p. 861.]