John 19:1-11 ▼

1 Then Pilate had Jesus taken away and whipped.

2 The soldiers twisted some thorny branches into a crown, placed it on his head, and put a purple cape on him.

3 They went up to him, said, |Long live the king of the Jews!| and slapped his face.

4 Pilate went outside again and told the Jews, |I'm bringing him out to you to let you know that I don't find this man guilty of anything.|

5 Jesus went outside. He was wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cape. Pilate said to the Jews, |Look, here's the man!|

6 When the chief priests and the guards saw Jesus, they shouted, |Crucify him! Crucify him!| Pilate told them, |You take him and crucify him. I don't find this man guilty of anything.|

7 The Jews answered Pilate, |We have a law, and by that law he must die because he claimed to be the Son of God.|

8 When Pilate heard them say that, he became more afraid than ever.

9 He went into the palace again and asked Jesus, |Where are you from?| But Jesus didn't answer him.

10 So Pilate said to Jesus, |Aren't you going to answer me? Don't you know that I have the authority to free you or to crucify you?|

11 Jesus answered Pilate, |You wouldn't have any authority over me if it hadn't been given to you from above. That's why the man who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.|