No Grounds for Death

28So they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the governor’s headquarters. Now it was early morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover.

29So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”

30They answered and said to him, “If this man were not an evildoer, we would not have handed him over to you.”

31So Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.”

32so that the word of Jesus would be fulfilled, which he had spoken, indicating by what kind of death he was about to die.

33So Pilate went back into the governor’s headquarters and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

34Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own, or did others tell you about me?”

35Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”

36Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my servants would be fighting so that I might not be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

37Then Pilate said to him, “So then, are you a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

38Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After saying this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no case against him.”

39But you have a custom that I release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?

40So they shouted again, saying, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.