he people."

Then cried all the priests and Pharisees together tumultuously, "He is
an agitator and a rebel."

Pilate answered, "I have heard of one Jesus who was said to go about
the country and teach and do extraordinary works, but I have never
heard of any sedition stirred up by him. Were anything of that kind to
happen I should have heard of it before you, who am appointed for the
maintenance of peace in the land, and am perfectly well informed
concerning the words and deeds of the Jews. But tell me, when and
where has he stirred up any commotion?"

Then Nathanael stood forward and said unto Pilate, "He brings together
multitudes by thousands around him and he has quite recently,
surrounded by such a crowd, made a solemn entry into Jerusalem itself."

"O I know that," said Pilate contemptuously, "but nothing took place on
that occasion to disturb the public peace."

By this time Caiaphas and the priests were in a state of indignation
which they did not care to conceal, and Caiaphas asked angrily, "Is it
not sedition if he forbid the people to pay tribute to Caesar?"

Pilate asked, "Where have you proof of that?"

"Proof enough," retorted Caiaphas, "for he gives himself out as the
Messiah, the king of Israel. Is not that to challenge the imperial
authority?"

Pilate replied, sarcastically, "I admire your suddenly awakened zeal
for the authority of Caesar."

Then turning to Jesus, who had stood silent during the altercation, he
asked him, saying, "Hearest thou what serious accusations these bring
against thee? What answerest thou?" Jesus remained silent.

"See," said Caiaphas, eagerly, "He cannot deny it. His silence is an
admission of his crime."

Then cried all the multitude, stretching out their hands toward Pilate,
"Sentence him then!"

"Patience," said Pilate, "there is time enough for that. I will take
him apart for a private hearing."

Pilate, speaking to his attendants, said, "Perhaps when he is no longer
confused by the crowd and the fury of his accusers he will answer me."
Then, speaking to his servants he said, "Lead him into the court." And
turning to Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, he said, "Go! my guard shall
take charge of him, but do you examine the justice or injustice of your
complaints, and be careful to investigate whether they do not perhaps
come from a polluted source. Then let me know the result of your
reflections."

At this Caiaphas turned his back upon Pilate and looked