he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the
scribes stood, vehemently accusing him. And Herod with 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 kn