shes, although firmly
convinced in his own mind of the innocence of Jesus, and perfectly
conscious that by pronouncing sentence of death upon him he should
violate every law of justice, besides breaking the promise he had made
to his wife in the morning. Thus did he sacrifice Jesus to the enmity
of the Jews, and endeavour to stifle remorse by washing his hands
before the people, saying, 'I am innocent of the blood of this just man;
look you to it.' Vainly dost thou pronounce these words, O Pilate! for
his blood is on thy head likewise; thou canst not wash his blood from
thy soul, as thou dost from thy hands.

Those fearful words, 'His blood be upon us and upon our children,' had
scarcely ceased to resound, when Pilate commenced his preparations for
passing sentence. He called for the dress which he wore on state
occasions, put a species of diadem, set in precious stones, on his
head, changed his mantle, and caused a staff to be carried before him.
He was surrounded with soldiers, preceded by officers belonging to the
tribunal, and followed by Scribes, who carried rolls of parchments and
books used for inscribing names and dates. One man walked in front, who
carried the trumpet. The procession marched in this order from Pilate's
palace to the forum, where an elevated seat, used on these particular
occasions, was placed opposite to the pillar where Jesus was scourged.
This tribunal was called Gabbatha; it was a kind of round terrace,
ascended by means of staircases; on the top was a seat for Pilate, and
behind this seat a bench for those in minor offices, while a number of
soldiers were stationed round the terrace and upon the staircases. Many
of the Pharisees had left the palace and were gone to the Temple, so
that Annas, Caiphas, and twenty-eight priests alone followed the Roman
governor on to the forum, and the two thieves were taken there at the
time that Pilate presented our Saviour to the people, saying: 'Ecce homo!'

Our Lord was still clothed in his purple garment, his crown of
thorns upon his head, and his hands manacled, when the archers brought
him up to the tribunal, and placed him between the two malefactors. As
soon as Pilate was seated, he again addressed the enemies of Jesus, in
these words, 'Behold your King!' But the cries of 'Crucify him! Crucify him!'
resounded on all sides.

'Shall I crucify your King?' said Pilate.

'We have no King but Caesar!' responded the High Priests.

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