Jesus before Pilate

(Jesus Questioned by Pilate)

Jesus meanwhile stood before the governor who questioned him, “Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, “You say so.” The chief priests and the elders accused him, but he made no answer. Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear all the charges they bring against you?" But he did not reply to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly astonished. lt was customary for the governor to release any one prisoner the people asked for on the occasion of the Passover. Now there was a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. When the people had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Whom do you want me to set free: Barabbas, or Jesus called the Christ?” For he realised that Jesus had been handed over to him out of envy. As Pilate was sitting in court, his wife sent him this message, “Have nothing to do with that holy man.

Last night l had a terrible dream about him.” But the chief priests and the elders stirred the crowds to ask for the release of Barabbas and the death of Jesus. When the governor asked them again, “Which of the two do you want me to set free?” they answered, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “And what shall l do with Jesus called the Christ?” All answered, “Crucify him!" Pilate asked, “What evil has he done?” But they shouted louder, “Crucify him!” Pilate realised that he was getting nowhere and that instead there could be a riot. He then asked for water and washed his hands before the people, saying, “l am innocent of this man’s blood. See to it yourselves." And all the people answered, “Let his blood be upon usand upon our children.” Then Pilate set Barabbas free, but had Jesus scourged, and handed him over to be crucified.