John 18:30-40 ▼

30 “If He were not a criminal, they replied, “ we would not have handed Him over to you.

31 “You take Him and judge Him by your own law, Pilate told them. “ We are not permitted to execute anyone, the Jews replied.

32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to indicate the kind of death He was going to die.

33 Pilate went back into the Praetorium, summoned Jesus, and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?

34 “Are you saying this on your own, Jesus asked, “or did others tell you about Me?

35 “Am I a Jew? Pilate replied. “ Your own people and chief priests handed You over to me. What have You done?

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.

37 “Then You are a king! Pilate said. “You say that I am a king, Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.

38 “What is truth? Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him.

39 But it is your custom that I release to you one prisoner at the Passover. So then, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?

40 “Not this man, they shouted, “but Barabbas! (Now Barabbas was an insurrectionist.)