36 “My kingdom q is not of this * world,” said Jesus. “If My kingdom were of this world, r My servants s t would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. As it is, My kingdom does not have its origin here.” u v

37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked.

“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world w for this: to testify x to the truth. y Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”

38 “What is truth?” said Pilate.

Jesus or Barabbas

After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no grounds z for charging Him. 39 You a have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”

40 They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” b Now Barabbas was a revolutionary. c d

Jesus Flogged and Mocked

19 Then * Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. 2 The soldiers also twisted together a crown e of thorns, put it on His head, and threw a purple robe around Him. 3 And they repeatedly came up to Him f and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and were slapping His face.

4 Pilate went outside again and said to them, “Look, I’m bringing Him outside to you to let you know I find no grounds g for charging Him.”

Pilate Sentences Jesus to Death

5 Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. h Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” i

6 When the * chief priests and the temple police saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”

Pilate responded, “Take Him and crucify Him yourselves, for I find no grounds for charging Him.”

7 “We have a law,” the * Jews replied to him, “and according to that law He must die, j because He made Himself k the Son of God.” l