8. Now Herod was overjoyed when he saw Yeshua, for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see some miracle done by Him.
9. He was questioning Yeshua on many issues, but Yeshua did not answer at all.
10. And the ruling kohanim and the Torah scholars stood their ground, strongly accusing Him.
11. Now Herod together with his soldiers were treating Him with contempt and mocking Him. They put splendid clothing on Him and sent Him back to Pilate.
12. And Herod and Pilate became friends with one another from that very day, for previously they had been enemies with one another.
13. Now Pilate called together the ruling kohanim, the leaders, and the people.
14. And he said to them, “You brought this Man to me as one who incites the people to revolt. But having examined Him in your presence, I have found no case against this Man regarding what you accuse Him of doing.
15. Nor did Herod, for he sent Him back to us. Indeed, He has done nothing that is worthy of death.
16. Therefore I will scourge Him and release Him.”
17. [footnote: Some mss. add: Now Pilate needed to release one prisoner to them at the feast.]
18. But they shouted out all together, saying, “Take this fellow away! Release to us Bar-Abba!”
19. (He was someone who had been thrown into prison for a rebellion in the city and murder.)
20. Again Pilate addressed them, wanting to release Yeshua;
21. but they kept shouting out, saying, “Execute, execute Him!”
22. And a third time he spoke to them, “Why? What evil has this One done? I have found in Him no fault deserving of death. Therefore, I will scourge and release Him.”
23. But they were insistent, demanding with loud shouts that He be executed. And their voices prevailed.
24. So Pilate decreed that their demand be put into effect.
25. And He released the one they were asking for, the one thrown in jail for insurrection and murder. But he handed over Yeshua to their will.
26. As they led Him away, they grabbed a man, Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the countryside. They placed on him the cross-beam, to carry behind Yeshua.