knowledged his
right of judging the Galileans, and likewise rejoiced at seeing that
Jesus who had never deigned to appear before him reduced to such a
state of humiliation and degradation. His curiosity had been greatly
excited by the high terms in which John the Baptist had announced the
coming of Jesus, and he had likewise heard much about him from the
Herodians, and through the many spies whom he had sent into different
parts: he was therefore delighted at this opportunity of interrogating
him in the presence of the courtiers and of the Jewish priests, hoping
to make a grand display of this own knowledge and talents. Pilate
having sent him word, 'that he could find no cause in the man,' he
concluded that these words were intended as a hint that he (Pilate)
wished the accusers to be treated with contempt and mistrust. He,
therefore, addressed them in the most haughty distant manner possible,
and thereby increased their rage and anger indescribably.

They all began at once to vociferate their accusations, to which
Herod hardly listened, being intent solely on gratifying his curiosity
by a close examination of Jesus, whom he had so often wished to see.
But when he beheld him stripped of all clothing save the remnant of a
mantel, scarcely able to stand, and his countenance totally disfigured
from the blows he had received, and from the mud and missiles which the
rabble had flung at his head, the luxurious and effeminate prince
turned away in disgust, uttered the name of God, and said to the
priests in a tone of mingled pity and contempt, 'Take him hence, and
bring him not back into my presence in such a deplorable state.' The
guards took Jesus into the outer court, and procured some water in a
basin, with which they cleansed his soiled garments and disfigured
countenance; but they could not restrain their brutality even while
doing this, and paid no regard to the wounds with which he was covered.

Herod meantime accosted the priests in much the same strain as
Pilate had done. 'Your behaviour vastly resembles that of butchers,' he
said, 'and you commence your immolations pretty early in the morning.' The
Chief Priests produced their accusations at once. Herod, when Jesus was
again brought into his presence, pretended to feel some compassion, and
offered him a glass of wine to recruit his strength; but Jesus turned
his head away and refused this alleviation.

Herod then began to expatiate with great volubility on all he