Jesus Before Pilate

Early in the morning, Jesus was led from Caiaphas to the Praetorium to stand before the Roman governor. The Jewish leaders did not enter the hall to avoid ritual defilement before the Passover. Pontius Pilate went out to them and asked for the accusation against the man. The accusers stated that if he were not a criminal, they would not have delivered him up. When Pilate told them to judge him by their own law, they replied that it was not lawful for them to put anyone to death (John 18:28-31). Pilate re-entered the Praetorium and asked Jesus if he was the King of the Jews. Jesus answered that his kingdom was not of this world. Pilate asked, "What is truth?" and then told the gathered crowd that he found no guilt in him.

Following a custom of releasing a prisoner at Passover, Pilate offered to release the King of the Jews. The crowd instead cried out for the release of Barabbas. Pilate then took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on his head, clothed him in a purple robe, and struck him with their hands. Pilate brought Jesus out again, stating once more that he found no guilt in him. Upon seeing Jesus, the chief priests and officers cried out for him to be crucified. When Pilate sought to release him, the Jews claimed that anyone making himself a king spoke against Caesar (John 19:1-12).

Pilate brought Jesus to a place called The Pavement, or Gabbatha. It was the day of Preparation of the Passover, about the sixth hour. Pilate presented Jesus to the people, saying, "Behold your King!" The people shouted for him to be taken away and crucified. The chief priests stated they had no king but Caesar. Consequently, Pilate delivered Jesus over to them to be crucified, and the soldiers took him away (John 19:13-16).