HE ANSWERS PILATE.

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gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed

me.

And the whole multitude of them arose, and bound Jesus. And when they had bound him, they led him away from Caiaphas, unto the hall of judgment; and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor, and it was early and they themselves went not into the judgment-hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die. And they

began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cæsar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. Then Pilate entered into the judgment-hall again, and called Jesus. And Jesus stood before the governor and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world:

if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then?

Jesus answered and said unto him, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world,

That I should bear witness unto the truth.

Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and saith unto the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man: I find in him no fault at all. And the chief priests accused him of many things: but when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word. And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? Behold how many things they witness against thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing: insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee, to this place. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilæan. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.

And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

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And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

THANKSGIVING.

Keep, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy church with thy perpetual mercy: and because the frailty of man without thee cannot but fall, keep us ever by thy help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Questions on Section XXV.

Whither did Peter go when Christ was apprehended? What was the solemn adjuration of the high priest to Jesus, and what was his reply?

On what pretext did they condemn Christ to die?

In what manner did the men who held Jesus mock and insult Him?

Relate how repeatedly Peter denied all knowledge of Christ, and what the Lord did which made Peter go out and weep bitterly.

What prophecy did the behaviour of Judas fulfil?

Why did the Jews bring Jesus before Pilate for judgment when they had already condemned Him themselves? Relate what took place before the judgment-seat of Pilate. Why did they choose the crime of sedition to impute to Christ?

To whom did Pilate send Him?

What did Herod do?

SECTION XXVI.

From Pilate's Declaration of Christ's Innocence, to His own Assertion of his Divinity, in Reply to the penitent Thief.

PRAYER.

Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

AND Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. I will therefore chastise him, and release him. Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. (And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.)

PILATE SEEKS TO RELEASE HIM.

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And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.) Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Ye have a custom that I should release unto you one at the passover: Whom will ye that I release unto you?

Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. And when he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)

Pilate, the governor, therefore, willing to release Jesus, answered, and spake again to them, and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do with Jesus which is called Christ? unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him. And they all say unto him, Crucify him! crucify him! Let him be crucified. Then Pilate said unto them, the third time, Why? what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let