023:002 "We have found this man," they said, "an agitator among our nation, forbidding the payment of tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be himself an anointed king." 023:003 Then Pilate asked Him, "You, then, are the King of the Jews?" "It is as you say," He replied. 023:004 Pilate said to the High Priests and to the crowd, "I can find no crime in this man." 023:005 But they violently insisted. "He stirs up the people," they said, "throughout all Judaea with His teaching--even from Galilee (where He first started) to this city." 023:006 On hearing this, Pilate inquired, "Is this man a Galilaean?" 023:007 And learning that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction he sent Him to Herod, for he too was in Jerusalem at that time. 023:008 To Herod the sight of Jesus was a great gratification, for, for a long time, he had been wanting to see Him, because he had heard so much about Him. He hoped also to see some miracle performed by Him. 023:009 So he put a number of questions to Him, but Jesus gave him no reply. 023:010 Meanwhile the High Priests and the Scribes were standing there and vehemently accusing Him. 023:011 Then, laughing to scorn the claims of Jesus, Herod (and his soldiers with him) made sport of Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous costume, and sent Him back to Pilate. 023:012 And on that very day Herod and Pilate became friends again, for they had been for some time at enmity. 023:013 Then calling together the High Priests and the Rulers and the people, Pilate said, 023:014 "You have brought this man to me on a charge of corrupting the loyalty of the people. But, you see, I have examined him in your presence and have discovered in the man no ground for the accusations which you bring against him. 023:015 No, nor does Herod; for he has sent him back to us; and, you see, there is nothing he has done that deserves death. 023:016 I will therefore give him a light punishment and release him." 023:017 [] 023:018 Then the whole multitude burst out into a shout. "Away with this man," they said, "and release Barabbas to us" 023:019 --Barabbas! who had been lodged in jail for some time in connexion with a riot which had occurred in the city, and for murder. 023:020 But Pilate once more addressed them, wishing to set Jesus free. 023:021 They, however, persistently shouted, "Crucify, crucify him!" 023:022 A third time he appealed to them: "Why, what crime has the man committed? I have discovered in him nothing that deserves death. I will therefore give him a light punishment and release him." 023:023 But they urgently insisted, demanding with frantic outcries that He should be crucified; and their clamour prevailed. 023:024 So Pilate gave judgement, yielding to their demand.