Page 538 - Bible History

THE PASSION AND DEATH OF CHRIST 511
released. He spoke to the chief priests and tried to make them see how unjust they were, and that they were allowing themselves to be carried away by hatred. But they would not listen to him. They said, '' If thou release this man, thou art not Caesar's friend. For whosoever maketh himself a king, speaketh against Caesar."
When Pilate heard these words, he surrendered to the will of the chief priests, for he was afraid they would report him to the Roman emperor. He sat down in the judgment seat that was placed in the square of Gabbatha and, taking water, washed his hands before the people, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just man; look you to it.'' A roar went up from the people and they answered, ''His blood be upon us and upon our children!''
Pointing to Jesus, Pilate said to the Jews, "Behold your King." But they cried out, "Away with Him; away with Him; crucify Him!" Pilate said, "Shall I crucify your Kingf'' But the chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar."
Then Pilate released to them Barabbas and ordered Jesus to be cruci ed.
4. THE REDEMPTION Is AccoMPLISHED
Cruci xion was the Roman way of putting criminals T to death. Hanging or strangulation, beheading, burn­ ofthe ing, and stoning were the methods used by the Jews. C However, when the Jews came under the power of Rome, the right to in ict capital punishment had been