Matthew 27:18 Meaning and Explanation
“For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Pilate understood that envy lay behind the leaders' charges against Jesus.
What Does Matthew 27:18 Mean?
Matthew discloses Pilate's reading of the situation: he perceived that the leaders had handed Jesus over out of envy, not justice. The governor sees through their charges to the jealousy beneath.
Envy is the hidden engine of the leaders' campaign. Jesus drew the crowds, taught with authority, and exposed empty piety, and for this He was resented. Pilate's insight names the sin that so often turns hearts against the good: the refusal to bear another's brightness. Even a pagan official can see what the religious leaders will not admit about themselves.
Matthew 27:18 in the Original Language
phthonos (φθόνος), 'envy' -- resentful ill will toward another's good or success.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 27:18
What does Matthew 27:18 mean?
Pilate understood that envy lay behind the leaders' charges against Jesus.