Part 20 (1/2)

Pilate said to Jesus,

”Well, are you the King of the Jews?”

Jesus answered simply,

”You have said it”

Then the priests and rulers burst out with all kinds of evil stories about Jesus

Pilate spoke to Jesus again, and said:

”Aren't you going to say anything? Listen to what they are saying about you!”

But Jesus did not speak Pilate was astonished He could see that the only reason the council had brought Jesus to him was that they were jealous of Jesus and hated hiathered to watch the trial Many of the people in it had been Jesus' followers, but they followed hi tried like a criht all along They began to talk against Jesus, a theo Suddenly he remembered a Jewish custom: every Passover a prisoner was set free

[Illustration]

Pilate said: ”Every year at this time I set a prisoner free Now you can have your choice You knoe have a man named Barabbas in jail--he's the fellow that started a rebellion a little while ago We were going to crucify hio? Barabbas the reat shout went up,

”Barabbas!”

Pilate did not knohat to do now He spoke again to the crowd,

”Well, what shall I do to Jesus who is called the Christ?”

Again there was a great shout:

”Crucify hi him up on a cross till he is dead!”

Everyone seeainst Jesus noever, Pilate tried once more

”But,” he protested, ”I can't find that he has been guilty of any crime!”

The Jewish rulers replied, ”We have a lahich says he ought to die because he pretends to be the Son of God”

Pilate orried now He spoke to Jesus again, and again Jesus did not answer

”Aren't you going to speak to me?” Pilate asked ”Don't you know that I can crucify you or let you go?”

Jesus answered, ”You wouldn't have any power over iven it to you”

Pilate, when he heard this, tried once er, and louder, and :

”Crucify! Crucify!”