3. Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.”
4. Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, “I find this man not guilty.”
5. But they were adamant and said, “He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to here.”
6. On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean;
7. and upon learning that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time.
8. Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign.
9. He questioned him at length, but he gave him no answer.
10. The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile, stood by accusing him harshly.
11. [Even] Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate.
12. Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly.
13. Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people
14. and said to them, “You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him,
15. nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime has been committed by him.
16. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.” [
17. ]
18. But all together they shouted out, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us.”
19. (Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had taken place in the city and for murder.)