Section L

Section L.

[1]And Pilate said unto the chief priests and the multitude, I have not found against this man anything. [2]But they cried out and said, He hath disquieted[3] our people with his teaching in all Judæa, and he began[4] from Galilee and unto this place. [5]And Pilate, when he heard the name of Galilee, asked, Is this man a Galilæan? [6]And when he learned that he was under the jurisdiction of Herod, he sent him to Herod: for he was in Jerusalem in those days.

[7]And Herod, when he saw Jesus, rejoiced exceedingly: for he had desired to see him for a long time, because he had heard regarding him many things; and he counted on[8] [Arabic, p. 189] seeing some sign from him. [9]And he questioned him with many words; but Jesus answered him not a word. [10]And the scribes and chief priests were standing by, and they accused him vehemently. [11]And Herod scoffed at him, he and his servants; and when he had scoffed at him, he clothed him in robes of scarlet, and sent him to Pilate. [12]And on that day Pilate and Herod became friends, there having been[13] enmity between them before that.

[10, 11] [14]And Pilate called the chief priests and the rulers of the people, [15]and said unto them, Ye brought unto me this man, as the perverter of your people: and I have tried him before you, and have not found in this man any cause[16] of all that ye seek[17] against him: [18]nor yet Herod: for I sent him unto him; and he hath done nothing for which he should deserve death. [19]So now I will chastise him, and let [14, 15] him go. [20]The multitude all cried out and said, Take him from us, take him. [21]And the chief priests and the elders accused him of many things. [22]And during their accusation he answered not a word. [23]Then Pilate said unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? [24]And he answered him not, not even one word: and Pilate marvelled at that.

[25]And when the judge sat on his tribune, his wife sent unto him, and said unto him, See that thou have nothing to do with that righteous man: for I have suffered much in my dream[26] to-day because of him.

[27]And at every feast the custom of the judge was to release to the people one prisoner, him whom they would. [28]And there was in their prison a well-known prisoner, [22, 23] called Barabbas. [29]And when they assembled, Pilate said unto them, [30]Ye have a custom, that I should release unto you a prisoner at the passover: will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? [31]And they all cried out and said, Release not [Arabic, p. 190] unto us this man, but release unto us Barabbas. And this Barabbas was a robber, [32]who for sedition[33] and murder, which was in the city, was cast into the prison. [34]And all the people cried out and began to ask him to do as the custom was that he should do with them. [35]And Pilate answered and said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called the Messiah, the King of the Jews? [36]For Pilate knew that envy had moved them to deliver him up. [37]And the chief priests and the elders asked the multitudes to deliver Barabbas, and to destroy Jesus. [38]The judge answered and said unto them, Whom of the two will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. [39]Pilate said unto them, And Jesus which is called the Messiah, what shall I do with him? [40]They all cried out and said, Crucify him. [41]And Pilate spake to them again, for he desired to release Jesus; [42]but they cried out and said, Crucify him, crucify him, and release unto us Barabbas. [43]And Pilate said unto them a third time, What evil hath this man done? I have not found in him any cause[44] to necessitate death: I will chastise him and let him go. [45]But they increased in importunity[46] with a loud voice, and asked him to crucify him. And their voice, and the voice of the chief priests, prevailed. [47]Then Pilate released unto them that one who was cast into prison for sedition and murder, Barabbas, whom they asked for: [48]and he scourged Jesus with whips.[4]

[49]Then the footsoldiers of the judge took Jesus, and went into the prætorium, and [Arabic, p. 191] gathered unto him all of the footsoldiers. [50]And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet cloak. [51]And they clothed him in garments of purple, and plaited a crown of thorns, and placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; [52]and while they mocked at him and laughed, they fell down on their knees before him, and bowed down to[53] him, and said, Hail,[54] King of the Jews! [55]And they spat in his face, and took the reed from his hand, and struck him on his head, [56]and smote his cheeks. [57]And Pilate went forth without again, and said unto the Jews, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I do not find, in examining[58] him, even one crime.[59][60]And Jesus went forth without, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garments. [61]Pilate said unto them, Behold, the man! And when the chief priests and the soldiers[62] saw him, they cried out and said, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate said unto them, Take him yourselves, and crucify him: for I find not a cause[63] against him. [64]The Jews said unto him, We have a law, and according to our law he deserves death, because he made himself the Son of God. [65]And when Pilate heard this word, his fear increased; [66]and he entered again into the porch, and said to Jesus, Whence art thou? [67]But Jesus answered him not a word. Pilate said unto him, Speakest[68] thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have authority to release thee, and have authority to crucify thee? [69]Jesus said unto him, Thou hast not any[70] authority over me, if thou wert not given it from above: therefore the sin of him that delivered me up unto thee is greater than thy sin. [71]And for this word Pilate wished to release him: but the Jews cried out, If thou let him go, thou art not a friend of Cæsar: for every one that maketh himself a king is against Cæsar.