"What I have written, I have written!"
WHEN HE REACHES MATURITY, even a pagan ruler like Pontius Pilate finds that life has become inescapable. He has done enough and said enough and has molded himself into a pattern that is the mold for the rest of his life. He may be able to shape it, but only in a limited way.
Tiberius was the emperor, and Pontius Pilate carried out the instructions of Tiberius. Tiberius certainly had the power of life and death over Pontius Pilate. But there is still a very real sense in which Pilate wasn't willing to give up his dictatorial powers over everyone in his realm.
Since he proclaimed Jesus to be the "King of the Jews," so let it be said, so let it be done. Pilate's words could not be changed. To some degree this is true of all of us. We can only marginally change the absolutes of life. God, and God alone, has the last say in all the major and minor details of His providence.
Man invariably thinks that he is a free moral agent able to do absolutely as he chooses. But ultimately, he is only as free as God allows.