John 18:28

Hall of judgment; the place where Pilate the Roman governor held his court.

Lest they should be defiled; they would not enter this apartment of a Gentile, lest they should be unfitted to partake of the passover; so careful were they about contracting ceremonial pollution, while they were seeking to commit the most horrible crime.

But that they might eat the passover; see not to chap John 13:1. Men may be very scrupulous as to the observance of outward ceremonies, yet very reckless as to the commission of enormous crimes. No outward profession or inward experience is evidence of piety, unless it lead men to hate known sin, and have respect to all God's commandments. Psalms 66:18; Psalms 119:6.