26. One of the high priest's servants was there. He was a relative of the servant whose ear Peter had cut off, and he asked, “Didn't I see you in the garden with that man?”
27. Once more Peter denied it, and at once a cock crowed.
28. It was early in the morning when Jesus was taken from Caiaphas to the building where the Roman governor stayed. But the crowd waited outside. Any of them who had gone inside would have become unclean and would not be allowed to eat the Passover meal.
29. Pilate came out and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?”
30. They answered, “He is a criminal! That's why we brought him to you.”
31. Pilate told them, “Take him and judge him by your own laws.”The crowd replied, “We are not allowed to put anyone to death.”
32. And so what Jesus said about his death would soon come true.
33. Pilate then went back inside. He called Jesus over and asked, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
34. Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own or did someone tell you about me?”
35. “You know I'm not a Jew!” Pilate said. “Your own people and the chief priests brought you to me. What have you done?”
36. Jesus answered, “My kingdom doesn't belong to this world. If it did, my followers would have fought to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. No, my kingdom doesn't belong to this world.”
37. “So you are a king,” Pilate replied.“You are saying that I am a king,” Jesus told him. “I was born into this world to tell about the truth. And everyone who belongs to the truth knows my voice.”
38. Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?”Pilate went back out and said, “I don't find this man guilty of anything!
39. And since I usually set a prisoner free for you at Passover, would you like me to set free the king of the Jews?”
40. They shouted, “No, not him! We want Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a terrorist.