Pilate questions Jesus again
8 When Pilate heard this word, he was even more afraid.
9
He went back into the residence and spoke to Jesus, "Where are you from?" Jesus didn't answer.
10
So Pilate said, "You won't speak to me? Don't you know that I have authority to release you and also to crucify you?"
11
Jesus replied, "
You would have no authority over me if it had not been given to you from above. That's why the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin."
12
From that moment on, Pilate wanted to release Jesus. However, the Jewish leaders cried out, saying, "If you release this man, you aren't a friend of the emperor! Anyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes the emperor!"
13
When Pilate heard these words, he led Jesus out and seated him on the judge's bench at the place called Stone Pavement (in Aramaic, Gabbatha).
14
It was about noon on the Preparation Day for the Passover. Pilate said to the Jewish leaders, "Here's your king."
15
The Jewish leaders cried out, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!" Pilate responded, "What? Do you want me to crucify your king?" "We have no king except the emperor," the chief priests answered.