Remember when the Pharisees sent officers of the temple to arrest Jesus and the officers did not do it? They told the Pharisees, "No man ever spoke like this man" (John 7:46-47). Why do the officers now join in demanding for Jesus' execution? (John 19:6).
The answer is found in John seven. When the officers expressed their respect for Jesus, the Pharisees used the officers' sense of pride against them. "Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd that does not know the law is cursed" (John 7:47-49).
The desire to be part of the "in the know" group lead the officers away from the truth. They emulated their superiors until they too were shouting for Jesus crucifixion.
Pride grows like a cancer until we become so blinded that we no longer recognize the truth.
