26. One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter cut off, said, Did I not see you in the garden with Him?
27. And again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed.
28. Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium (judgment hall, governor's palace). And it was early. They themselves did not enter the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled (become ceremonially unclean), but might be fit to eat the Passover [supper].
29. So Pilate went out to them and said, What accusation do you bring against this Man?
30. They retorted, If He were not an evildoer (criminal), we would not have handed Him over to you.
31. Pilate said to them, Take Him yourselves and judge and sentence and punish Him according to your [own] law. The Jews answered, It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.
32. This was to fulfill the word which Jesus had spoken to show (indicate, predict) by what manner of death He was to die. [John 12:32-34.]
33. So Pilate went back again into the judgment hall and called Jesus and asked Him, Are You the King of the Jews?
34. Jesus replied, Are you saying this of yourself [on your own initiative], or have others told you about Me?