Bible Strands
Matthew 27:18
For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Pilate sits on the judgment seat after questioning the assembled crowd about releasing Barabbas or Jesus, while his wife sends a warning message about the innocent man.
The words — ᾔδει (ēdei) means "he knew," and φθόνον (phthonon) means "envy," describing Pilate's internal recognition of the religious leaders' motive for delivering Jesus to him.
The thread — This account of envy-driven betrayal aligns with Mark 15:10, Acts 5:17, and Proverbs 27:4, which all address jealousy as a destructive force.
Why it lands — The text states Pilate recognized the envy driving the trial proceedings. This factual account exposes how human jealousy operates within judicial processes without requiring emotional response.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 27:4 Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
- Mark 15:10 For he knew it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over.
- Acts 5:17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They went out
- Genesis 37:11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept in mind what he had said.
- Acts 7:9 Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him
- Acts 13:45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying.
- James 4:5 Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?
- Psalms 106:16 In the camp they envied Moses, as well as Aaron, the holy one of the LORD.
- Ecclesiastes 4:4 I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
- Isaiah 26:11 O LORD, Your hand is upraised, but they do not see it. They will see Your zeal for Your people and be put to shame. The fire set for Your enemies will consume them!