17: The offer for release was made to the Jewish people who were gathered there. The leaders of the Jews were already assembled. Pilate assembled an assortment of the general Jewish population of Jerusalem for this question. Thus he surely thought that they, not being biased against Jesus like their leaders were, would ask for his release. It is for this reason that he presents Jesus as the one who is called Christ. This was to woo the common people to rally behind their Messiah. This was not because he himself believed, but so as to kill two birds with one stone. He would do the Jews a favor and get rid of this problem prisoner at the same time.
18: Pilate was more than aware of the facts of the case. He knew that Jesus was no menace to Rome. Had Jesus been against Rome, he could have made that abundantly clear early on in his ministry. Pilate knew that Jesus had great support among the people, and that the Jewish leaders hated him for it.
Personal Journal Entry #12027
Prayer Journal Entry #12027
Daily Bible Reading: Exodus 24:1-26:37