As the morning dawned, the whole multitude led Jesus away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate, who was the governor. Pilate came out to those bringing Jesus and asked, What is this man accused of? They answered, if He wasn’t a criminal, we wouldn’t have brought Him to you. We found this fellow corrupting the nation and refusing to give tribute to Cæsar, saying that He Himself is Christ a King. Pilate said, Take Him and judge Him according to your law, but the Jewish people said, It isn’t lawful for us to put any man to death. This fulfilled the words that Jesus spoke about how He would die, being lifted up on a cross because it was the Romans that crucified their "criminals" ...

After Pilate had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, I don’t find Him guilty of anything. And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judæa, beginning in Galilee to here. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether Jesus was a Galilaean. As soon as he knew that He belonged in Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad. He’d been curious about Him for a long time because he heard many things about Him; and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Herod questioned Him at length; but Jesus answered him nothing (probably cuz ol’ Herod was not "Of the TRUTH" either).

The chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. Herod and his soldiers belittled Him and ridiculed Him, and arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. That day Pilate and Herod became friends but before that they were not so. Then Pilate called the chief priests and the rulers of the people together and said, You’ve brought this man to me as one that corrupts the people, and look, I’ve examined Him in front of you and haven’t found Him guilty of any of the things you accuse Him of. I even sent you with Him to Herod and found that nothing has been done by Him that’s worthy of death. So, I’ll chastise Him and release Him. And they did ... Severely.

By custom, Pilate had to release a prisoner to the people at the feast of Passover. At that time there was a well known prisoner named Barabbas. Pilate asked, Do you want me to release Barabbas or Jesus, which is called Christ? He said this because he knew the chief priests delivered Him out of jealousy.

When Pilate sat down in the judgment seat, his wife sent a message to him saying, Don’t do anything against that just man (Jesus). I’ve suffered many things today in a dream because of Him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the people to request Barabbas be freed and to crucify Jesus. They all shouted at once, Away with this man, and release Barabbas to us! When Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere with the people, but instead they were stirred, he took water and washed his hands in front of the people, saying, I’m innocent of the blood of this just man, see to it. All the people answered, His blood is on us, and on our children. (There is an old legend that suggests that Pilate is still washing his hands every day in hell, but as with Judas ... He was but a tool. It is obvious Pilate tried to spare Jesus but prophecy would prevail. Remember TRUTH ... It is for God to determine anyone's guilt or innocence.)

When Pilate heard that, he was the more afraid and went back into the judgment hall, and said to Jesus, Where are you from? But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate said to Him, You won’t speak to me? Don’t you know that I have the power to crucify you, and the power to release you? Jesus answered, You could have no power at all against me, unless it were given to you from above: so the person that delivered me to you has the greater sin. Again we see that our view is not that of the Lord's at times. HE alone ... Is the Judge.

From then on, Pilate sought to release Him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If you let this man go, you aren’t Cæsar's friend: whoever makes himself a king speaks against Cæsar. When Pilate heard that, he brought Jesus out, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place called the Pavement. It was the preparation of the Passover. Pilate said to the Jews, Behold your King! But they all cried out, Away with Him, crucify Him! Pilate said to them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Cæsar. Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and took off the purple from Him, and put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.