'Death to the Nazarene!'
Pontius Pilate, not having the courage to defend Jesus, whom he found innocent, made a sign to one of his servants, the latter entered the governor's house, whilst the crowd shouted with increased fury:
'Crucify the Nazarene! crucify him!'
Jesus, still calm, mournful and pensive, seemed a perfect stranger to what was passing around him.
'No doubt,' said Genevieve to herself, 'his thoughts are already in that mysterious world where we are born and live again after quitting this one.'
The servant of Pontius Pilate returned, carrying a silver jug in one hand, and a basin in the other; a second servant took the basin whilst the first poured the water into it. Pontius Pilate dipped his hands in the water, saying in a loud voice: 'I am innocent of the death of this righteous man; ‘tis for you to look to it. As for me, I wash my hands of it.'
'Let the blood of the Nazarene be upon us and our children.'
'Take Jesus then, and crucify him yourselves,' replied Pontius.
'As you demand it, Barabbas shall be released to you.'
And Pilate re-entered his house to the acclamation of the crowd, whilst Caiphus, Doctor Baruch, Jonas the banker, and the other pharisees, triumphantly raised their fists in Jesus' face.