his soldiers set him at nought, and
mocked him, and arraying him in gorgeous apparel sent him back to Pilate.

And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day: for
before they were at enmity between themselves.

THE TRIAL BEFORE PILATE RESUMED.

And Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
and said unto them, "Ye brought unto me this man, as one that perverteth
the people: and behold, I, having examined him before you, found no fault
in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: no, nor yet Herod:
for he sent him back unto us; and behold, nothing worthy of death hath been
done by him. I will therefore chastise him, and release him."

Now at the feast the governor was wont to release unto the multitude one
prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called
Barabbas, lying bound with them that had made insurrection, men who in
the insurrection had committed murder. And the multitude went up and
began to ask him to do as he was wont to do unto them.

And Pilate answered them, saying, "Will ye that I release unto you the
King of the Jews?" For he perceived that for envy the chief priests had
delivered him up.

Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes that they
should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

But the governor answered and said unto them, "Which of the two will ye
that I release unto you?"

And they said, "Barabbas."

Pilate saith unto them, "What then shall I do unto Jesus who is called
Christ?"

They all say, "Let him be crucified."

And he said unto them a third time, "Why, what evil hath this man done? I
have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise and release
him."

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

And the soldiers led him away within the court, which is the Praetorium;
and they call together the whole band.

And they stripped him, and arrayed him in a purple garment. And they
platted a crown of thorns and put it upon his head, and a reed in his
right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying:
"Hail, King of the Jews!" and they struck him with their hands. And they
spat upon him, and took the reed and smote him upon the head.

And Pilate went out again, and saith unto them, "Behold, I bring him out
to you, that ye may know that I find no crime in him."

Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple
garment