Pilate delivered Jesus to be crucified because he wished to satisfy the crowd. The Jewish religious leaders brought Jesus to Pilate, accusing Him of claiming to be a king and inciting rebellion against Rome. Pilate questioned Jesus and found Him innocent, but the crowd outside demanded that Jesus be crucified. Pilate was concerned about keeping the peace and avoiding a riot, so he decided to give in to the crowd's demands and handed Jesus over to be crucified.