2. They began to bring charges against Jesus. They said, "We have found this man misleading our people. He is against paying taxes to Caesar. And he claims to be Christ, a king."
3. So Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "Yes. It is just as you say," Jesus replied.
4. Then Pilate spoke to the chief priests and the crowd. He announced, "I find no basis for a charge against this man."
5. But they kept it up. They said, "His teaching stirs up the people all over Judea. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here."
6. When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was from Galilee.
7. He learned that Jesus was from Herod's area of authority. So Pilate sent Jesus to Herod. At that time Herod was also in Jerusalem.
8. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very pleased. He had been wanting to see Jesus for a long time. He had heard much about him. He hoped to see Jesus do a miracle.
9. Herod asked him many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer.
16-17. So I will just have him whipped and let him go."
18. With one voice the crowd cried out, "Kill this man! Give Barabbas to us!"
19. Barabbas had been thrown into prison. He had taken part in a struggle in the city against the authorities. He had also committed murder.
20. Pilate wanted to let Jesus go. So he made an appeal to the crowd again.
21. But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"
22. Pilate spoke to them for the third time. "Why?" he asked. "What wrong has this man done? I have found no reason to have him put to death. So I will just have him whipped and let him go."
23. But with loud shouts they kept calling for Jesus to be crucified. The people's shouts won out.
24. So Pilate decided to give them what they wanted.
25. He set free the man they asked for. The man had been thrown in prison for murder and for fighting against the authorities. Pilate gave Jesus over to them so they could carry out their plans.
26. As they led Jesus away, they took hold of Simon. Simon was from Cyrene. He was on his way in from the country. They put a wooden cross on his shoulders. Then they made him carry it behind Jesus.
27. A large number of people followed Jesus. Some were women whose hearts were filled with sorrow. They cried loudly because of him.
28. Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children.
29. The time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the women who can't have children! Blessed are those who never gave birth or nursed babies!'
30. It is written, " 'The people will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" They'll say to the hills, "Cover us!" ' (Hosea 10:8)
31. People do these things when trees are green. So what will happen when trees are dry?"