18:31 Pilate told them, 5 “Take him yourselves and pass judgment on him 6 according to your own law!” 7 The Jewish leaders 8 replied, 9 “We cannot legally put anyone to death.” 10 18:32 (This happened 11 to fulfill the word Jesus had spoken when he indicated 12 what kind of death he was going to die. 13 )
18:33 So Pilate went back into the governor’s residence, 14 summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 15 18:34 Jesus replied, 16 “Are you saying this on your own initiative, 17 or have others told you about me?” 18:35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? 18 Your own people 19 and your chief priests handed you over 20 to me. What have you done?”
18:36 Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my servants would be fighting to keep me from being 21 handed over 22 to the Jewish authorities. 23 But as it is, 24 my kingdom is not from here.” 18:37 Then Pilate said, 25 “So you are a king!” Jesus replied, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world – to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to 26 my voice.” 18:38 Pilate asked, 27 “What is truth?” 28
When he had said this he went back outside to the Jewish leaders 29 and announced, 30 “I find no basis for an accusation 31 against him. 18:39 But it is your custom that I release one prisoner 32 for you at the Passover. 33 So do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?” 18:40 Then they shouted back, 34 “Not this man, 35 but Barabbas!” 36 (Now Barabbas was a revolutionary. 37 ) 38