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BASEL CHRONICLES | EDITORIAL | APRIL 2021
His protest against injustice was the
death penalty imposed by politicians,
who administered illegality. The crucix-
ion death penalty included the death of a
criminal, which involved excruciating
torture of the criminal. Although Jesus
did not deserve such a death, it was an
indication of how the unjust system
could easily control the weak, by his cor-
rupt practices.
Jesus, who won the hearts of the people
through his service, preaching, and heal-
ing, was being caught like a thief by the
Pharisees. He was sentenced to death on
charges of blasphemy, without trial, and
without proper witnessing, all through
the night, contrary to law and tradition.
Jesus was taken to Pilate, to stamp the
ofcial seal for this execution.
Pilate's question, "Are you the king of the
Jews?" (Matt. 27:11) was not the proper
reason for investigating Jesus and if we
observe Jesus' lifestyle, Jesus never
showed any signs that he wanted to
become king. But Jesus' answer was,
"You said it." That is why Jesus did not
answer a word. Unaware of the mystery
of Jesus' silence, Pilate rejected the voice
of his conscience, and with selshness,
he listened to Pharisees, Scribes, and
members of Sanhedrin to preserve his
power. “Whom do you want to give up?
Barabbas? or Jesus the Christ? That
question is confusing. The warning came
from his wife, but he politely ignored and
gave in to the pressure of the high priest
and elders, and the pressure of the..

