Page 532 - Bible History

THE PASSION AND DEATH OF CHRIST 505
throughout the city, and a great crowd, moved by curi­ osity or eager for excitement, had ocked to the Pretorium.
Jesus was turned over to the Roman guards and sent alone into the palace to face Pontius Pilate. e was loaded with ehains and bore signs on His body of the rough and cruel treatment He had received during the night. When Pilate saw Him, he was moved to pity. He had heard of Jesus and His teaching, and knew that He was not a dangerous rebel. Going out­ side, he stood on the balcony of the palace and said to the members of the Sanhedrin, "What accusation bring you against this man 1 '' They answered, '' If He were not a criminal, we would not have delivered Him up to thee.'' Pilate said, '' Take you Him, and judge Him according to your law." But the Jews said, "It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.''
Pilate wished to avoid trouble if it were at a possi­ ble. The city was crowded with strangers and it was his duty to preserve order. He did not want a riot to take place. He decided to question Jesus Himself, hoping that he might learn something from Him that he could use as an argument against the members of
the Sanhedrin and lead them to change their judgment. He turned and entered the palace and, going into the large room in which he usually held court, he ordered Jesus to be brought before him. When this was done, he said to our Savior, "Art Thou the King of the Jews1'' Jesus answered, ''Sayest thou this of thyself, or have others told it thee of Me1'' Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Thy own nation and the