9
Pilate anticipated them: "Do you want me to release the King of the Jews to you?"
10
Pilate knew by this time that it was through sheer spite that the high priests had turned Jesus over to him.
11
But the high priests by then had worked up the crowd to ask for the release of Barabbas.
12
Pilate came back, "So what do I do with this man you call King of the Jews?"
13
They yelled, "Nail him to a cross!"
14
Pilate objected, "But for what crime?" But they yelled all the louder, "Nail him to a cross!"
15
Pilate gave the crowd what it wanted, set Barabbas free and turned Jesus over for whipping and crucifixion.
16
The soldiers took Jesus into the palace (called Praetorium) and called together the entire brigade.
17
They dressed him up in purple and put a crown plaited from a thorn bush on his head.
18
Then they began their mockery: "Bravo, King of the Jews!"
19
They banged on his head with a club, spit on him, and knelt down in mock worship.