d soldiers whom he had concealed in the Temple.
Judas was killed with his companions. This massacre exasperated Herod
still more against Pilate, and we have just seen by what means their
reconciliation was effected.]

Jesus was again led to the house of Pilate. The archers dragged him
up the stairs with their usual brutality; his feet became entangled in
his long robe, and he fell upon the white marble steps, which were
stained with blood from his sacred head. His enemies had again taken
their seats at the entrance of the forum; the mob laughed at his fall,
and the archers truck their innocent victim, instead of assisting him
to rise. Pilate was reclining on a species of easy-chair, with a little
table before him, and surrounded with officers and persons who held
strips of parchment covered with writing in their hands. He came
forward and said to the accusers of Jesus: 'You have presented unto me
this man, as one that perverteth the people, and behold I, having
examined him before you, find no cause in this man in those things
wherein you accuse him. No, nor Herod neither. For I sent you to him,
and behold, nothing worthy of death is done to him. I will chastise
him, therefore, and release him.'

When the Pharisees heard these words, they became furious, and
endeavoured to the utmost of their power to persuade the people to
revolt, distributing money among them to effect this purpose. Pilate
looked around with contempt, and addressed them in scornful words.

It happened to be the precise time when, according to an ancient
custom, the people had the privilege of demanding the deliverance of
one prisoner. The Pharisees had dispatched emissaries to persuade the
people to demand the death, and not the life, of our Lord. Pilate hoped
that they would ask for Jesus, and determined to give them to choose
between him and a criminal called Barabbas, who had been convicted of a
dreadful murder committed during a sedition, as also of many other
crimes, and was, moreover, detested by the people.

There was considerable excitement among the crowd; a certain portion
came forward, and their orators, addressing Pilate in a loud voice,
said: 'Grant us the favour you have always granted on the festival day.'
Pilate made answer: 'It is customary for me to deliver to you a criminal
at the Paschal time; whom will you that I release to you, Barabbas, or
Jesus that is called Christ?'

Although Pilate did not in his own mind feel at a