“Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. 29Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? 30They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. 31Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: Jn. 18:28-31
Those religious leaders sure liked keeping the law. They would dare not break the law while they are delivering Jesus over to be killed. What a contrast, killing Jesus, while keeping the law. This is exactly what false religion is, it is making an outward display while inwardly denying Christ.