Chapter XXX

CHRIST BEFORE PILATE AND HEROD, HIS CONDEMNATION.

1 [23:1]AND all the multitude arose and led him to Pilate. [23:2]And they accused him, saying, We have found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to pay tribute to Caesar, saying that he is an anointed king. [23:3] And Pilate asked him, saying, Are you the king of the Jews? And he answered and said to him, As you say. [23:4]And Pilate said to the chief priests, and the multitudes, I find no fault with this man. [23:5]And they were more violent, saying, He excites the people, teaching in all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place. [23:6]And Pilate hearing of Galilee asked if the man was a Galilean. [23:7]And learning that he was of the province of Herod, he sent him to Herod, who was himself also at Jerusalem in those days.

2 [23:8]And when Herod saw Jesus he was much pleased; for he had wished for a long time to see him, because he had beard about him, and he hoped to see some miracle performed by him. [23:9]And he questioned him with many words; but he answered him nothing. [23:10]And the chief priests and scribes stood up, violently accusing him. [23:11]And Herod, with his soldiers, treated him with contempt, and mocked him, and put on him a splendid garment, and sent him back to Pilate. [23:12]And Pilate and Herod became friends to each other on that day; for they had before been enemies to each other.

3 [23:13]And Pilate having called the chief priests, and rulers, and the people, [23:14]said to them, You have brought me this man as one that perverts the people; and behold, having had an examination before you, I have found in this man no cause for the charges which you bring against him, [23:15]but neither has Herod, for I sent you to him, and behold, nothing worthy of death has been done by him; [23:16]having chastised him therefore, I will release him. [23:18]And the whole multitude cried out, saying, Take away this man, and release to us Barabbas; [23:19]who had been cast into prison for a certain sedition made in the city, and a murder.

4 [23:20]Pilate therefore addressed them again, wishing to release Jesus; [23:21]but they replied, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. [23:22]And he said to them a third time, [Why], for what evil has this man done? I have found no cause of death in him; having chastised him therefore, I will release him. [23:23]And they beset him with loud cries, demanding that he should be crucified; and their cries, and those of the chief priests, prevailed; [23:24] and Pilate answered, that their demand should be granted. [23:25]And he released him that was cast into prison for sedition and murder, whom they desired, and delivered up Jesus to their will.