Jesus is Taken Before Herod and Returned to Pilate 

After questioning the Master, Pilate returned to the chief priests and those accusing Jesus, telling them, "I've carefully looked into this man's case, and I can't find any wrongdoing in him. I don't believe he's guilty of the charges you've brought against him. I think he should be released." When the Jewish leaders heard this, they became extremely angry and started shouting that Jesus should be put to death. One member of the Sanhedrin boldly stood beside Pilate, saying, "This man stirs up trouble among the people, starting in Galilee and spreading throughout Judea. He's a troublemaker and a wrongdoer. You'll regret it if you let this wicked man go free."

Pilate was unsure about what to do with Jesus. So, when he heard that Jesus had originated his work in Galilee, he decided to pass the responsibility to someone else by sending Jesus to appear before Herod, who was in the city for the Passover.

Pilate then called the guards and instructed them, "This man is from Galilee. Take him to Herod, and after Herod has examined him, report the findings back to me." So, they took Jesus to Herod.

Herod Antipas lived at Herod the Great's old Maccabean palace when he stopped in Jerusalem. The temple guards took Jesus there, along with his accusers and a growing crowd. Herod was familiar with Jesus and inquisitive about him. On this Friday morning, when the Son of Man stood before him, he never once thought of the lad who had appeared before him in Sepphoris pleading for a just decision about the money due his father, who had been accidentally killed while working on a public building. Herod never saw Jesus, but he cared about him when his work was in Galilee. Herod wanted to see him now that Pilate and the Judeans had him, feeling secure against his potential problems. Herod had heard about Jesus' miracles and wanted to see him do one.

When they presented Jesus to Herod, he was surprised by his stateliness and calmness. Herod questioned Jesus for 15 minutes, but he didn't answer. Herod ridiculed and dared him to produce a miracle, but Jesus ignored him.

Herod turned to the chief priests and Sadducees and listened to their allegations, hearing more than Pilate had about the Son of Man's supposed sins. After mocking him, Herod put him in an old purple royal robe and sent him back to Pilate, sure that Jesus would not speak or perform a miracle. Herod understood he had no authority over Jesus in Judea. He was happy to believe that Pilate would kill Jesus in Galilee and was glad to be rid of him. Herod never entirely recovered from the fear that he was cursed for killing John the Baptist. Herod sometimes feared Jesus was John resurrected. After seeing that Jesus was significantly different from the fiery prophet who dared to expose and denounce his private life, he was relieved of this fear.

After Jesus was returned to Pilate, he went out to the front steps of the praetorium, where a large crowd gathered, asking for a prisoner to be pardoned in honor of the Passover; and the name of Barabbas came up. Barabbas was a murderer and political agitator who was scheduled to die as soon as Passover was over. Pilate attempted to make it clear to the crowd that Jesus was not a criminal like Barabbas. He asked them, "So, who do you want me to set free for you? Barabbas, the murderer, or Jesus from Galilee?" Upon hearing this, the chief priests and members of the Sanhedrin council loudly cried out, "Barabbas, Barabbas!" When the crowd realized that the chief priests were determined to have Jesus executed, they also swiftly called for Barabbas to be released.

Pilate became furious when he saw the chief priests loudly demanding Jesus's death and calling for the release of a murderer. He could clearly see their ill will, hatred, and their biased and envious motives. He said to them, "Why would you choose the life of a murderer over this man, whose worst offense is that he figuratively calls himself the king of the Jews?" However, Pilate's statement was not a wise one. The Jews were deeply offended by the suggestion that this gentle teacher of unfamiliar beliefs should be called "the king of the Jews." They viewed such a remark as an insult to everything they held sacred and honorable. In response, they shouted even louder for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death.

Finally, Pilate asked the crowd, “What shall I do with him who is called the king of the Jews?” And they all shouted with one accord, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” It seemed that everyone agreed and this startled and alarmed Pilate, the unjust and fear-ridden judge.

Then once more Pilate said: “Why would you crucify this man? What evil has he done? Who will come forward to testify against him?” But when they heard Pilate speak in defense of Jesus, they only cried out all the more, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Then, for the last time, Pilate appealed to them regarding the release of the Passover prisoner, saying: “Once more I ask you, which of these prisoners shall I release to you at this, your Passover time?” And again the crowd shouted, “Give us Barabbas!”

Then Pilate said: “If I release the murderer, Barabbas, what shall I do with Jesus?” And once more the multitude shouted in unison, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

This led to Pilate’s last appeal and ultimate surrender in defense of Jesus’ life.