Pilate now goes back outside. (This is the third of his seven movements back and forth.)
The first thing Pilate does is declare Jesus innocent. Then he offers to release him as part of a Passover custom.
Out of the blue, the Jewish leaders say they want Barabbas released. (In John's account, Pilate hadn't even mentioned this as a possible option.)
Once again we have an example of John's irony. The religious leaders had brought Jesus to Pilate warning that he was a threat to the nation - a would-be king who was a revolutionary. Pilate examines him and find this untrue.
Now when Pilate wants to release Jesus, the leaders demand the release of Barabbas ... who is described as "a revolutionary."
Once you make up your mind to dislike a person, truth doesn't much matter. The Jewish leaders disliked what Jesus stood for, and that was that.
By the way, is there anything about Jesus that you dislike - something he did or said, or something in your relationship right now?
It's best to put it on the table and talk it over.
- Little Blue Book, Diocese of Saginaw