Pilate was somewhat moved by these solemn words, and said to him in a more serious tone, ‘Art thou a king, then?’

Jesus answered, ’Thou sayest that I am a king.  For this was I born, and for this I came into the world, that I should give testimony to the truth.  Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice.’

Pilate looked at him, and rising from his seat said, ’The truth!  What is truth?’

They then exchanged a few more words, which I do not now remember, and Pilate returned to the terrace.  The answers and deportment of Jesus were far beyond his comprehension; but he saw plainly that his assumption of royalty would not clash with that of the emperor, for that it was to no worldly kingdom that he laid claim; whereas the emperor cared for nothing beyond this world.  He therefore again addressed the chief priests from the terrace, and said, ’I find no cause in him.’  The enemies of Jesus became furious, and uttered a thousand different accusations against our Saviour.  But he remained silent, solely occupied in praying for his base enemies, and replied not when Pilate addressed him in these words, ’Answerest thou nothing?  Behold in how many things they accuse thee!’ Pilate was filled with astonishment, and said, ‘I see plainly that all they allege is false.’  But his accusers, whose anger continued to increase, cried out, ’You find no cause in him?  Is it no crime to incite the people to revolt in all parts of the kingdom?—­to spread his false doctrines, not only here, but in Galilee likewise?’

The mention of Galilee made Pilate pause:  he reflected for a moment, and then asked, ‘Is this man a Galilean, and a subject of Herod’s?’ They made answer, ’He is; his parents lived at Nazareth, and his present dwelling is in Capharnaum.’

‘Since that is the case,’ replied Pilate, ’take him before Herod; he is here for the festival, and can judge him at once, as he is his subject.’  Jesus was immediately led out of the tribunal, and Pilate dispatched an officer to Herod, to inform him that Jesus of Nazareth, who was his subject, was about to be brought to him to be judged.  Pilate had two reasons for following this line of conduct; in the first place he was delighted to escape having to pass sentence himself, as he felt very uncomfortable about the whole affair; and in the second place he was glad of an opportunity of pleasing Herod, with whom he had had a disagreement, for he knew him to be very curious to see Jesus.

The enemies of our Lord were enraged at being thus dismissed by Pilate in the presence of the whole multitude, and gave vent to their anger by ill-treating him even more than before.  They pinioned him afresh, and then ceased not overwhelming him with curses and blows as they led him hurriedly through the crowd, towards the palace of Herod, which was situated at no great distance from the forum.  Some Roman soldiers had joined the procession.

During the time of the trial Claudia Procles, the wife of Pilate, had sent him frequent messages to intimate that she wished extremely to speak to him; and when Jesus was sent to Herod, she placed herself on a balcony and watched the cruel conduct of his enemies with mingled feelings of fear, grief, and horror.