John 18:28-40

281Then they led Jesus from 2Caiaphas into 3the 4Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into 5the 6Praetorium so that 7they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 298Therefore Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” 30They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.” 31So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death,” 32to fulfill 9the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die.

33Therefore Pilate 10entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “11Are You the King of the Jews?” 34Jesus answered, “Are you saying this 12on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” 35Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” 36Jesus answered, “13My kingdom 14is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not 15of this realm.” 37Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “16You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, 17to testify to the truth. 18Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

And when he had said this, he 19went out again to the Jews and said to them, “20I find no guilt in Him. 3921But you have a custom that I release someone 22for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release 23for you the King of the Jews?” 40So they cried out again, saying, “24Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber.