From that time on, Pilate tried to release him but the Jews replied that if he did he was not Caesar's friend.
From that time on, Pilate tried to release him but the Jews replied that if he did he was not Caesar's friend. When Pilate heard this, he brought out Jesus and sat in the judgment seat in the place called "the Pavement". It was the preparation for the passover and about the sixth hour (noon). He told the Jews that here was their king. They cried out that he should be crucified. Pilate asked if he should crucify their king but the chief priests said that they had no king but Caesar. When Pilate saw he was getting nowhere and that he had a potential riot on his hands, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd. He said that he was innocent of the blood of this just person. All the people replied that his blood would be on them and their children. Then to placate the multitude, Pilate released Barabbas. After he had scourged Jesus, he did as the crowd wanted and ordered Jesus to be crucified. (JHN 19:1-30 LUK 23:1-25 MRK 15:1- 37 27:11-31)