It is not lawful. For violations of their law they seem to have had the power of stoning to death. See Joh_8:59; Joh_10:31. Act_7:59. But they feared the people, and so had determined to raise the plea of rebellion against Ceasar and throw the odium of the Lord's death upon Pilate.
not . . . any man. Greek. ouk oudeis. A double negative.