The Complete Sayings of Jesus
LXXXIV. Christ Haled Before Pilate: Pilate's Dilemma—"crucify Him"—pilate Vacillates: Sends Jesus to Herod, Who Sends Him Back—jesus Scourged—pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified
THE whole council arose and led Jesus away from the high priest, Caiaphas, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor, in the hall of judgment.
Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of Jews? Jesus answered,
Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered,
My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. very one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Pilate answered, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. But ye have a custom that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye that I release the King of the Jews?
Then saith Pilate, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that [paragraph continues] I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered,
Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
Thenceforth Pilate sought to release Jesus: but the Jews cried out, We found this fellow forbidding to give tribute to Cesar, saying that he himself is Christ a king. If thou let this man go, thou art not Cesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Cesar.
And Pilate asked him again, Answerest thou nothing? hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
Jesus answered him to never a word; so that Pilate marvelled: and he said to the people, I find no fault in this man.
They were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people throughout Jewry, from Galilee to this place.
When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilean. And as soon as he knew that Jesus belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was at Jerusalem at that time.
¶Herod was exceeding glad: for he had heard many things of Jesus; and had hoped to see some miracle done by him. He questioned with Jesus in many words; but Jesus answered him nothing. And Herod sent him back to Pilate.
¶Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers of the people; and he said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people; and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in him touching those things whereof ye accuse him: no, nor yet Herod.
¶Now at that feast the governor must of necessity release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
Pilate therefore said, Will ye that I release unto you Barabbas? or Jesus which is called the Christ?
¶When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.