d to Pilate's palace,
with the scarlet cloak still thrown over his shoulders, the crown of
thorns on his head, and the reed in his fettered hands. He was
perfectly unrecognisable, his eyes, mouth, and beard being covered with
blood, his body but one wound, and his back bowed down as that of an
aged man, while every limb trembled as he walked. When Pilate saw him
standing at the entrance of his tribunal, even he (hart-hearted as he
usually was) started, and shuddered with horror and compassion, whilst
the barbarous priests and the populace, far from being moved to pity,
continued their insults and mockery. When Jesus had ascended the
stairs, Pilate came forward, the trumpet was sounded to announce that
the governor was about to speak, and he addressed the Chief Priests and
the bystanders in the following words: 'Behold, I bring him forth to you,
that you may know that I find no cause in him.'

The archers then led Jesus up to Pilate, that the people might again
feast their cruel eyes on him, in the state of degradation to which he
was reduced. Terrible and heartrending, indeed, was the spectacle he
presented, and an exclamation of horror burst from the multitude,
followed by a dead silence, when he with difficulty raised his wounded
head, crowned as it was with thorns, and cast his exhausted glance on
the excited throng. Pilate exclaimed, as he pointed him out to the
people; 'Ecce homo! Behold the man!' The hatred of the High Priests and
their followers was, if possible, increased at the sight of Jesus, and
they cried out, 'Put him to death; crucify him.' 'Are you not content?' said
Pilate. 'The punishment he has received is, beyond question, sufficient
to deprive him of all desire of making himself king.' But they cried out
the more and the multitude joined in the cry, 'Crucify him, crucify him!'
Pilate then sounded the trumpet to demand silence, and said: 'Take you
him and crucify him, for I find no cause in him.' 'We have a law, and
according to that law he ought to die,' replied the priests, 'because he
made himself the Son of God.' These words, 'he made himself the Son of God,'
revived the fears of Pilate; he took Jesus into another room, and asked
him; 'Whence art thou?' But Jesus made no answer. 'Speakest thou not to me?'
said Pilate; 'knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and
power to release thee?' 'Thou shouldst not have any power against me,'
replied Jesus, 'unless it were given thee from above; t