Chapter 4

1Pilate finds no fault in Jesus. 16 The Jews demand his crucifixion . THEN Pilate left Jesus in the hall, and went out to the Jews, and said, I find not any one fault in Jesus.
2The Jews say unto him, But he said, I can destroy the temple of God, and in three days build it up again.
3Pilate saith unto them, What sort of temple is that of which he speaketh?
4The Jews say unto him, That which Solomon was forty-six years in building, he said he would destroy, and in three days build up.
5Pilate said to them again, I am innocent from the blood of that man; do ye look to it.
6The Jews say to him, His blood be upon us and our children. Then Pilate calling together the elders and scribes, priests and Levites, saith to them privately, Do not act thus; I have found nothing in your charge (against him) concerning his curing sick persons, and breaking the sabbath, worthy of death.
7The Priests and Levites replied to Pilate, By the life of Cæsar, if any one be a blasphemer, he is worthy of death; but this man hath blasphemed against the Lord.
8Then the governor again commanded the Jews to depart out of the hall; and calling Jesus, said to him, What shall I do with thee?
9Jesus answered him, Do according as it is written.
10Pilate said to him, How is it written?
11Jesus saith to him, Moses and the prophets have prophesied concerning my suffering and resurrection.
12The Jews hearing this, were provoked, and said to Pilate, Why wilt thou any longer hear the blasphemy of that man?
13Pilate saith to them, If these words seem to you blasphemy, do ye take him, bring him to your court, and try him according to your law.
14The Jews reply to Pilate, Our law saith, he shall be obliged to receive nine and thirty stripes, but if after this manner he shall blaspheme against the Lord, he shall be stoned.
15Pilate saith unto them, If that speech of his was blasphemy, do ye try him according to your law.
16The Jews say to Pilate, Our law commands us not to put any one to death: we desire that he may be crucified, because he deserves the death of the cross.
17Pilate saith to them, It is not fit he should be crucified: let him be only whipped and sent away.
18But when the governor looked upon the people that were present and the Jews, he saw many of the Jews in tears, and said to the chief priests of the Jews, All the people do not desire his death.
19The elders of the Jews answered to Pilate, We and all the people came hither for this very purpose, that he should die.
20Pilate saith to them, Why should he die?
21They said to him, Because he declares himself to be the Son of God, and a King.