The men that held Jesus mocked Him, and smote Him. and when they had blindfolded Him, they struck Him in the face, and said, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? And they said many other blasphemies against Him. As soon as it was day, the elders and the chief priests and scribes came together. They led Him into their council, saying, Art thou the Christ? Tell us. Jesus said, If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I also ask you, you will not answer me or let me go. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. Then they all said, Art thou then the Son of God? And He said to them, Ye say that I am. Then they said, What need we of any further witness? We ourselves have heard it from His own mouth. 23 The whole multitude arose and led Him to Pilate. They began to accuse Him, saying, We found this man misleading the people, opposing the tribute tax to Caesar, saying that He is Christ, a king. Pilate asked Him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered, Thou sayest it. Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the people, I find no fault in this man. They became fierce, saying, He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man was a Galilaean. As soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad. Herod had wanted to see Him for a long time because he had heard many things about Him. Herod hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Then he asked Jesus many questions but He answered nothing. The chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. Herod and his soldiers treated Him spitefully and mocked Him. They arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. Pilate and Herod, who had been bitter enemies, became friends that day. When he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, Pilate said to them, You have brought this man to me as one who stirs up the people, and, having examined Him before you, I have found no fault in this man regarding those things of which you accuse Him, nor did Herod for he sent Him back. I will, therefore, chastise Him and release Him. (For of necessity he must release one to them at the feast.) They cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man. Release Barabbas to us. Pilate therefore, wanting to release Jesus, spoke again to them. But they cried louder, saying, Crucify Him, crucify Him. Pilate said to them the third time, Why, what evil has He done? I have found no cause to put Him to death. I will chastise Him and let Him go.