The Jews came to the castle, and standing outside, called for Pilate to come from the room where he was sleeping, and give judgment upon a law-breaker whom they had brought to him. They hoped that Pilate would do as they wished, without looking closely into the matter. He came down, and sat upon his throne as a judge, and said:
"What is the charge which you bring against this man?"
"If he were not a wicked man, one who has broken the laws, we would not have brought him to you," they answered.
"Well," said Pilate, "if he has broken the laws of the land, take him to your own court and punish him."
"We found this man," said the Jewish rulers, "everywhere leading the people away from their rulers. He forbids them to pay the tax to the Roman emperor, Cæsar, telling the people that he is Christ, the King of the Jews. He ought to be put to death for stirring the people up against the government, and we ask you to give sentence against him."
Pilate began at once to be very suspicious of these Jewish rulers. He knew that they themselves hated the Roman power, and that they would never wish to have anybody punished for opposing it. He looked at Jesus, standing bound and helpless among them, and he thought that this man could not be a dangerous enemy. Pilate said to them:
"Bring this man to me. I wish to speak with him."
Jesus was led up to the foot of the steps to Pilate's judgment throne; and Pilate asked him,
"Are you the King of the Jews?"
Jesus answered the governor, "Do you ask this of your own accord, or did others tell you that I am a king?"