7
The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.”
8
When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid,
9
and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.
10
“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”
11
Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
12
From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.”