John 18:28–19:16
18:28 Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the Roman governor’s residence.75 (Now it was very early morning.)76 They77 did not go into the governor’s residence78 so they would not be ceremonially defiled, but could eat the Passover meal. 18:29 So Pilate came outside to them and said, “What accusation79 do you bring against this man?”80 18:30 They replied,81 “If this man82 were not a criminal,83 we would not have handed him over to you.”84
18:31 Pilate told them,85 “Take him yourselves and pass judgment on him86 according to your own law!”87 The Jewish leaders88 replied,89 “We cannot legally put anyone to death.”90 18:32 (This happened91 to fulfill the word Jesus had spoken when he indicated92 what kind of death he was going to die.93)
18:33 So Pilate went back into the governor’s residence,94 summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”95 18:34 Jesus replied,96 “Are you saying this on your own initiative,97 or have others told you about me?” 18:35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I?98 Your own people99 and your chief priests handed you over100 to me. What have you done?”
18:36 Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my servants would be fighting to keep me from being101 handed over102 to the Jewish authorities.103 But as it is,104 my kingdom is not from here.” 18:37 Then Pilate said,105 “So you are a king!” Jesus replied, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world—to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to106 my voice.” 18:38 Pilate asked,107 “What is truth?”108
When he had said this he went back outside to the Jewish leaders109 and announced,110 “I find no basis for an accusation111 against him. 18:39 But it is your custom that I release one prisoner112 for you at the Passover.113 So do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?” 18:40 Then they shouted back,114 “Not this man,115 but Barabbas!”116 (Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.117)118
19:1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged severely.1 19:2 The soldiers2 braided3 a crown of thorns4 and put it on his head, and they clothed him in a purple robe.5 19:3 They6 came up to him again and again7 and said, “Hail, king of the Jews!”8 And they struck him repeatedly9 in the face.
19:4 Again Pilate went out and said to the Jewish leaders,10 “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no reason for an accusation11 against him.” 19:5 So Jesus came outside, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.12 Pilate13 said to them, “Look, here is the man!”14 19:6 When the chief priests and their officers saw him, they shouted out, “Crucify15 him! Crucify him!”16 Pilate said,17 “You take him and crucify him!18 Certainly19 I find no reason for an accusation20 against him!” 19:7 The Jewish leaders21 replied,22 “We have a law,23 and according to our law he ought to die, because he claimed to be the Son of God!”24
19:8 When Pilate heard what they said,25 he was more afraid than ever,26 19:9 and he went back into the governor’s residence27 and said to Jesus, “Where do you come from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 19:10 So Pilate said,28 “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know I have the authority29 to release you, and to crucify you?”30 19:11 Jesus replied, “You would have no authority31 over me at all, unless it was given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you32 is guilty of greater sin.”33
19:12 From this point on, Pilate tried34 to release him. But the Jewish leaders35 shouted out,36 “If you release this man,37 you are no friend of Caesar!38 Everyone who claims to be a king39 opposes Caesar!” 19:13 When Pilate heard these words he brought Jesus outside and sat down on the judgment seat40 in the place called “The Stone Pavement”41 (Gabbatha in42 Aramaic).43 19:14 (Now it was the day of preparation44 for the Passover, about noon.45)46 Pilate47 said to the Jewish leaders,48 “Look, here is your king!”
19:15 Then they49 shouted out, “Away with him! Away with him!50 Crucify51 him!” Pilate asked,52 “Shall I crucify your king?” The high priests replied, “We have no king except Caesar!” 19:16 Then Pilate53 handed him over54 to them to be crucified.
The Crucifixion
So they took Jesus,