Pilate Tries to Release Jesus

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.