Pilate asked, "Where have you proof of that?"
"Proof enough," retorted Caiaphas, "for he gives himself out as the Messiah, the king of Israel. Is not that to challenge the imperial authority?"
Pilate replied, sarcastically, "I admire your suddenly awakened zeal for the authority of Caesar."
Then turning to Jesus, who had stood silent during the altercation, he asked him, saying, "Hearest thou what serious accusations these bring against thee? What answerest thou?" Jesus remained silent.
"See," said Caiaphas, eagerly, "He cannot deny it. His silence is an admission of his crime."
Then cried all the multitude, stretching out their hands toward Pilate, "Sentence him then!"
"Patience," said Pilate, "there is time enough for that. I will take him apart for a private hearing."
Pilate, speaking to his attendants, said, "Perhaps when he is no longer confused by the crowd and the fury of his accusers he will answer me." Then, speaking to his servants he said, "Lead him into the court." And turning to Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, he said, "Go! my guard shall take charge of him, but do you examine the justice or injustice of your complaints, and be careful to investigate whether they do not perhaps come from a polluted source. Then let me know the result of your reflections."
At this Caiaphas turned his back upon Pilate and looked with indignation upon his followers, who showed the liveliest manifestations of disgust. Josue said, "Everything has been well considered and examined already. The law pronounces him worthy of death." The Jews, turning to go, angrily discussed this reverse.
"This is a troublesome delay," said the rabbi.