Jesus before Pilate

‘It has been decided, the High Priest wants us to get rid of this man Jesus.’  The Chief Priest said to the elders and teachers.  ‘Come let us take Jesus to Pilot.’ 

As the teachers of the law, the Chief Priests and elders gathered they had Jesus brought with them to see Pilot.  

Jesus walked with the crowd to Pilot and stood before him.  ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ Pilot asked Jesus.  Looking at Pilot and the people gathered around them Jesus answered Pilot.  ‘Yes, it is as you say.’

Immediately the Chief Priest accused Jesus of many things.  So Pilot asked Jesus ‘Aren’t you going to answer?  See how many things they are accusing you of.’

Amazed that Jesus did not defend himself Pilot sat down for a moment.  It was customary to release a prisoner at the Feast for the people.  An insurrectionist named Barabbas was being held for murder during a riot.  The crowd came to Pilot and requested that a prisoner be released as was custom.

Pilate stood before the crowd and asked ‘Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?’  Pilate knew that it was out of envy that the Chief Priests had handed Jesus over to him.  But the Chief Priests stirred up the crowed to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.

‘What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?’  Pilate asked them.

‘Crucify him!’ they shouted.

‘Why?  What crime has he committed?’ asked Pilate.

But the crowd kept shouting louder and louder, ‘Crucify him!’ 

Pilate wanted to satisfy the crowd, so he released Barabbas to them.  Calling the centurions he commanded them to flog Jesus and hand him over to be crucified.

Jesus was lead to a place called the Praetorium and all the soldiers were called there.  They placed a purple robe on Jesus, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and placed it on Jesus, being malicious they pushed it hard onto his head.  Blood trickling down his face.  ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’  Again and again they struck Jesus on his head with a staff and spat him.  Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.  And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him.  Jesus was lead out to be crucified.