John 18:28-40

28Early in the morning, Jesus was taken from Caiaphas’ house to the governor’s palace. The Jews wouldn’t go into the palace. They didn’t want to become unclean, since they wanted to eat the Passover.

29So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What accusation are you making against this man?”

30The Jews answered Pilate, “If he weren’t a criminal, we wouldn’t have handed him over to you.”

31Pilate told the Jews, “Take him, and try him by your law.” The Jews answered him, “We’re not allowed to execute anyone.”

32In this way what Jesus had predicted about how he would die came true.

33Pilate went back into the palace, called for Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

34Jesus replied, “Did you think of that yourself, or did others tell you about me?”

35Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own people and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”

36Jesus answered, “My kingdom doesn’t belong to this world. If my kingdom belonged to this world, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. My kingdom doesn’t have its origin on earth.”

37Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus replied, “You’re correct in saying that I’m a king. I have been born and have come into the world for this reason: to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to me.”

38Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After Pilate said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I don’t find this man guilty of anything.

39You have a custom that I should free one person for you at Passover. Would you like me to free the king of the Jews for you?”

40The Jews shouted again, “Don’t free this man! Free Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a political revolutionary.)