1
At dawn's first light, the high priests, with the religious leaders and scholars, arranged a conference with the entire Jewish Council. After tying Jesus securely, they took him out and presented him to Pilate.
2
Pilate asked him, "Are you the 'King of the Jews'?"
3
The high priests let loose a barrage of accusations.
4
Pilate asked again, "Aren't you going to answer anything? That's quite a list of accusations."
5
Still, he said nothing. Pilate was impressed, really impressed.
6
It was a custom at the Feast to release a prisoner, anyone the people asked for.
7
There was one prisoner called Barabbas, locked up with the insurrectionists who had committed murder during the uprising against Rome.
8
As the crowd came up and began to present its petition for him to release a prisoner,
9
Pilate anticipated them: "Do you want me to release the King of the Jews to you?"