10
And they purchased the potter's field. And so they unwittingly followed the divine instructions to the letter.
11
Jesus was placed before the governor, who questioned him: "Are you the 'King of the Jews'?" Jesus said, "If you say so."
12
But when the accusations rained down hot and heavy from the high priests and religious leaders, he said nothing.
13
Pilate asked him, "Do you hear that long list of accusations? Aren't you going to say something?"
14
Jesus kept silence - not a word from his mouth. The governor was impressed, really impressed.
15
It was an old custom during the Feast for the governor to pardon a single prisoner named by the crowd.
16
At the time, they had the infamous Jesus Barabbas in prison.
17
With the crowd before him, Pilate said, "Which prisoner do you want me to pardon: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus the so-called Christ?"
18
He knew it was through sheer spite that they had turned Jesus over to him.
19
While court was still in session, Pilate's wife sent him a message: "Don't get mixed up in judging this noble man. I've just been through a long and troubled night because of a dream about him."
20
Meanwhile, the high priests and religious leaders had talked the crowd into asking for the pardon of Barabbas and the execution of Jesus.