8. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad. He had heard about Jesus and had wanted to meet him for a long time. Herod was hoping to see Jesus work a miracle.
9. Herod asked Jesus many questions, but Jesus said nothing.
10. The leading priests and teachers of the law were standing there. They were shouting things against Jesus.
11. Then Herod and his soldiers made fun of Jesus. They dressed him in a kingly robe and then sent him back to Pilate.
12. In the past, Pilate and Herod had always been enemies. But on that day they became friends.
13. Pilate called all the people together with the leading priests and the Jewish leaders.
14. He said to them, “You brought this man to me. You said that he was making trouble among the people. But I have questioned him before you all, and I have not found him guilty of the things you say.
15. Also, Herod found nothing wrong with him; he sent him back to us. Look, he has done nothing for which he should die.
16. So, after I punish him, I will let him go free.”
17. [Every year at the Passover Feast, Pilate had to release one prisoner to the people.]
18. But all the people shouted, “Kill him! Let Barabbas go free!”
19. (Barabbas was a man who was in prison because he started a riot in the city. He was guilty of murder.)
20. Pilate wanted to let Jesus go free. So he told this to the crowd.
21. But they shouted again, “Kill him! Kill him on a cross!”
22. A third time Pilate said to them, “Why? What wrong has he done? I can find no reason to kill him. So I will have him punished and set him free.”
23. But they continued to shout. They demanded that Jesus be killed on the cross. Their yelling became so loud that