Verse 24 A tumult. Popular tumults were always greatly dreaded by Roman officers. They feared not only the danger which they themselves, personally, and their immediate administration, incurred, but also the displeasure of the imperial government at Rome, by which the rulers of the provinces were held to a very severe responsibility for the preservation of public order. Pilate, therefore, after resisting the popular animosity against Jesus, till he found himself upon the eve of a tumult, dared to go no farther, but yielded, though solemnly protesting against the injustice of the decision.