5. But they objected strenuously, saying, "He agitates the people with his teaching throughout Judea—starting from Galilee all the way here."
6. Hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean.
7. When he learned that Jesus was from Herod’s district, Pilate sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
8. Herod was very glad to see Jesus, for he had heard about Jesus and had wanted to see him for quite some time. He was hoping to see Jesus perform some sign.
9. Herod questioned Jesus at length, but Jesus didn’t respond to him.
10. The chief priests and the legal experts were there, fiercely accusing Jesus.
11. Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt. Herod mocked him by dressing Jesus in elegant clothes and sent him back to Pilate.
12. Pilate and Herod became friends with each other that day. Before this, they had been enemies.
13. Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people.
14. He said to them, "You brought this man before me as one who was misleading the people. I have questioned him in your presence and found nothing in this man’s conduct that provides a legal basis for the charges you have brought against him.
15. Neither did Herod, because Herod returned him to us. He’s done nothing that deserves death.
16. Therefore, I’ll have him whipped, then let him go."
18. But with one voice they shouted, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us." (
19. Barabbas had been thrown into prison because of a riot that had occurred in the city, and for murder.)
20. Pilate addressed them again because he wanted to release Jesus.
21. They kept shouting out, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"
22. For the third time, Pilate said to them, "Why? What wrong has he done? I’ve found no legal basis for the death penalty in his case. Therefore, I will have him whipped, then let him go."
23. But they were adamant, shouting their demand that Jesus be crucified. Their voices won out.