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The Story of Jesus
clamorous for immediate action, and Pilate was recalled to the interests
of the hour. Going out to the people, he declared: “I find in Him no
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fault at all.”
John 18:33-38
.
These words from a heathen judge were a scathing rebuke to the
base perfidy and falsehood of the rulers of Israel who were accusing
the Saviour.
As the priests and elders heard this from Pilate, their disappoint-
ment and rage knew no bounds. They had long plotted and waited for
this opportunity. As they saw the prospect of the release of Jesus, they
seemed ready to tear Him in pieces.
They lost all reason and self-control, and gave vent to curses,
behaving more like demons than like men. They loudly denounced
Pilate, and threatened him with the censure of the Roman government.
They accused Pilate of refusing to condemn Jesus, who, they affirmed,
had set Himself up against Caesar. Then they raised the cry:
“He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning
from Galilee to this place.”
Luke 23:5
.
Pilate at this time had no thought of condemning Jesus. He was sure
of His innocence. But when he heard that Christ was from Galilee, he
decided to send Him to Herod, the ruler of that province, who was then
in Jerusalem. By this course Pilate thought to shift the responsibility
of the trial from himself to Herod.
Jesus was faint from hunger, and weary from loss of sleep. He was
also suffering from the cruel treatment He had received. But Pilate
delivered Him again to the soldiers, and He was dragged away, amid
the jeers and insults of the merciless mob.
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