WHAT ROLES DID PILATE AND HEROD PLAY IN THE DEATH OF CHRIST?
The disciple Peter, denied Jesus. He was then arrested and taken before the assembly of elders (chief priests and scribes.) They asked him if he was the Messiah. He replied , "If I tell you, you will not believe: and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of God will be seated ate the right hand of the power of God."
They asked, " Are you, then, the Son of God?"
He said to them, "You say that I am."
The assembly brought Jesus before Pilate and accused him of perverting their nation's, forbidding them to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah. Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"
He answered, "You say so."
Pilate told the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no basis for an accusation against this man."
The people accused him of preaching throughout Judea and stirring up trouble. When Pilate learned Jesus was a Galilean, he sent him to Herod because Jerusalem was under Herod's jurisdiction. He was glad to see Jesus because he wanted to see him perform "some sign."
After being questioned, Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests accused him, and even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Herod placed an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other: Before this they had been enemies.
Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people: and here I have examined him in your presence, and have not found this man guilty of any of you charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him."
The people shouted, "Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!" (Barabbas was the prisoner who had been imprisoned for a riot in the city, and for murder.)
Pilate wanted to release Jesus but the crowd kept shouting, "Crucify, crucify him!"
He told the crowd three times that he found no grounds for the sentence of death. He still wanted to have him flogged, and then released. He then gave in to the people, released Barabbas, and handed Jesus over, as they wished.
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