Truth About The Crucifixion — Page 92
back to us. Behold, nothing deserving death has been done by him; I will therefore chastise him and release him. (Luke, 23: 14-16). But the Jews would not be reconciled to anything less than death for Jesus. They protested and said:. If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend; everyone who makes himself a king sets himself against. Caesar. (John, 19:12). Under this threat Pilate did not pursue his design but had recourse to another device in order to save Jesus. It was customary to release a capital offender on the occasion of the. Passover. At that time a capital offender, Barabas, was in custody, and Pilate enquired from the multitude:. Which of the two do you want me to release for you? (Matthew, 27:21). At the instigation of the Chief Priests and the Pharisees the multitude unanimously demanded the release of Barabas, whereupon Pilate enquired:. Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?. They answered:. Crucify him. (Matthew, 27:22). When Pilate found that he could not have his own way:. He took water and washed his hands before the crowds, saying: I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves. (Matthew, 27:24). Thereafter:. The soldiers of the Governor took Jesus into the praetorium, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and plaiting a crown of thorns, they put it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying: Hail, King of the. Jews. And they spat upon him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. (Matthew, 27:27-31). This was Friday, the day of preparation for the Passover and it was about the sixth hour. The soldiers brought Jesus out of the Palace and placing his cross upon his shoulder, led him to the place called Golgotha, where the crosses were fixed in the earth, and, along with the two offenders who were also condemned to death, Jesus was put upon the cross with nails driven through his hands and feet. Under the orders of Pilate 95