Page 534 - Bible History

THE PASSION AND DEATH OF CHRIST 507
risen from the dead. Then, too, his curiosity was aroused and he hoped to see Jesus work a miracle. He asked Jesus one question after another, but r Savior answered him not a word. AU the ile, the chief priests and the scribes stood by, repeating their
accusations.
The silence of our Savior hurt the vanity of Herod,
and he began to make fun of Him and to mock Him. He ordered-his soldiers to put upon Him a white gar­ ment, as a sign that He was a fool, and then sent Him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies, were made friends that same day.
Once more, Pilate came out and spoke to the people. s or He said to them, "You have presented me this man as Ba s one that perverteth the people; and behold I, having examined Him before you, nd no cause in this man
in those things wherewith you accuse Him. Nor Herod either. For I sent you to him, and behold, nothing worthy of death is done to Him. I will chastise Him therefore, and release Him.'' Hearing this, the crowd became very angry and with shouts and cries de­ manded that Pilate put Jesus to death.
Now there was a custom at that time, whereby on a solemn feast day the governor released to the people one prisoner whom they would choose. There hap­ pened to be in prison a man called Barabbas, who, with a number of others, had been arrested for causing a riot in the course of which someone had been mur­ dered. Now, Pilate knew that the chief priests had delivered Jesus up to him out of envy and he thought of a way to free the Savior from their hands. So he