Page 535 - Bible History

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508 CHRISr REDEEMS THE WORLD
said, " om will you that I release to you," he asked, "Barabbas, or Jesus that is called Christ?"
For a moment the people did not know what to an­ swer. But soon the chief priests persuaded them to ask for Barabbas, and the whole multitude together cried out, saying, ''Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas! Not this man, but Barabbas!"
Pilate said to them, "vVhat shall I do, then, with Jesus that is called Christ?" And they all cried out again, '' Crucify Him, crucify Him!''
Pilate said, "Why, what evil hath He done? I nd no cause of death in Him. I will chastise Him and let Him go." But they only cried out the louder, "Cru­ cify Him, crucify Him!''
Then Pilate ordered his soldiers to take Jesus and to scourge Him. They led Him away into the court of the palace and, callmg together the whole band, they stripped Him of His garments, bound Him to a pillar, and scourged Him with cruel whips. Then they put upon Him a purple cloak and, making a crown of tho s, they placed it on His head, and put a reed in His right hand, and mocked Him by kneeling before Him and shouting, ''Hail, King of the Jews!'' They
spat upon Him and, taking the reed out of His hand, they struck His thorn-crowned head.
Pilate was sitting in the place of judgment, waiting for Jesus to be brought back to him, when his wife sent a message to him saying, '' Have thou nothing to do with that just man; for I have su ered many things this day in a dream because of Him.'' The governor was deeply moved by this message from his wife, but