8
Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle.
9
He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer.
10
Meanwhile, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law stood there shouting their accusations.
11
Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate.
12
(Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies before, became friends that day.)
13
Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people,
14
and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent.
15
Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty.
16
So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him.”
[a].
Some manuscripts add verse 17, Now it was necessary for him to release one prisoner to them during the Passover celebration. Compare Matt 27:15 ; Mark 15:6 ; John 18:39 .