The Roman Trial Before Pilate
1. THEN led they Iesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment, to Pontius Pilate (the Governor) and it was early, and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might keep the feast.
2. Pilate therefore went out unto them and said,
What accusation bring ye against this man?
They answered and said unto him,
If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. We have a law and by our law he ought to die, because he would change the customs and rites (which Moses delivered unto us) yea, he made himself the Son (of God).
3. Then said Pilate unto them,
Take ye him, and Judge him according to your law.
For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
4. The Jews therefore said unto him,
It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.
So the saying of Iesus was fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
5. And they further accused him saying,
We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he (himself) is Christ a King.
6. Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again and called Iesus and said unto him,
Art thou the King of the Jews?
Iesus answered him,
Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
7. Pilate answered,
Am I a Jew ? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me; what hast thou done?
Iesus answered,
My Kingdom is not of this world, if my Kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my Kingdom not from hence.
8. Pilate therefore said unto him,
Art thou a King then?
Iesus answered,
Thou sayest that I am, yea, a King I am. To this end was I born and for this cause came I unto the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
9. Pilate said unto him,
What is truth?
Iesus said,
Truth is from heaven.
Pilate said,
Then truth is not on earth.
Iesus said unto Pilate,
Believe thou, that truth is on earth amongst those who receive and obey it. They are of the truth who judge righteously.
10. And when he had heard this, he went out again unto the Jews and saith unto them,
I find in him no fault at all.
And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders he answered them nothing.
11. Then said Pilate unto him,
Hearest thou not, how many things they witness against thee?
12. And he answered him never a word, insomuch that the governor marveled greatly, and again he said unto them,
I find no fault in this man.
13. And they waxed the more fierce saying,
He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.
When Pilate heard of Galilee he asked, whether the man were a Galilean.
14. AND as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod (who himself also) was at Jerusalem at the time.
15. And when Herod saw Iesus he was exceedingly glad, for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him, and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
16. Then he questioned with him in many words, but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him, and many false witnesses rose up against him, and laid to his charge things that he knew not.
17. And Herod (with his men of war) set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe and sent him again to Pilate. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together, for before they were at enmity between themselves.
18. And Pilate went again into the Judgment Hall and saith unto Iesus,
Whence art thou?
But Iesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him,
Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
19. Iesus answered,
Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above, therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
20. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him; but the Jews cried out, saying,
If thou let this man go thou art no Caesar’s friend, whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.
21. And Pilate called together the chief priests and rulers of the people. When he was set down on the judgement seat his wife sent unto him, saying.
Have thou nothing to do with that just man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream, because of him.
22. And Pilate said unto them,
Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people, and behold I have examined him before you, and have found no fault in this man touching those things: whereof ye accuse him. No, nor yet Herod, for I sent you to him, and lo nothing worthy of death was found in him.
23. But ye have a custom that I should release unto you one at the Passover, will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
24. Then cried they all again, saying,
Not this man, but Barabbas.
Now Barabbas was a robber. And, for sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.
25. Pilate therefore, willing to release Iesus, spake again to them.
Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you; Iesus Barabbas, or Iesus (which is called the Christ)?
They said,
Barabbas
26. Pilate said unto them,
What then shall I do with Iesus (which is called the Christ)?
They all say unto him,
Let him be crucified.
27. And the Governor said,
Why what evil hath he done?
But they cried out all the more saying,
Crucify him, crucify him.
28. Pilate therefore went forth again and said unto him,
Behold, again, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him,
and again they cried out,
Crucify him, crucify him.
29. And Pilate said unto them, the third time,
Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.
30. And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
31. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying,
I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
32. Then answered all the people, and said,
His blood be on us and on our children.
And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. And he delivered Iesus to their will.
LECTION 81. 2. -This verse, suppressed by corruption of the Gospel, doubtless refers to the keeping the Passover within the gates without the slaying of So lamb, a capital offence by the law (See " New Aspects of Religion," by Dr. H. Pratt), or it might refer to keeping Passover the day before. There is much uncertainty on this point, the Gospels in the A. V. setting forth two different views, mutually contradicting each other, but neither of them implying necessarily the eating of a lamb by Jesus and his Apostles.
LECTION 81. 9. -These words, or the substance of them, are also to be found in one of the gnostic Gospels, which record many genuine sayings of the Master.