Leo Tolstoy Archive
Written: 1908
Source: From RevoltLib.com
Transcription/Markup: Andy Carloff
Online Source: RevoltLib.com; 2021
After that, they took Jesus to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. When they brought him to Pilate, the governor came out on the porch and said those who bought him: “What do you accuse this man for?” They said: “He is a villain, that’s why we brought him to you.” Pilate said to them: “But if he's a villain according to you, then punish him according to your law.” And they said: “We brought him to you so that you execute him, as we are not allowed to execute anyone to death.” Then Pilate asked them again what they accused him for. They said that he agitates people, forbids them to pay taxes to Cesar, and calls himself the king of Jews. Pilate listened to them and told them to bring Jesus to his judgment hall. When Jesus entered, Pilate asked him: “Are you the king of Jews?” Jesus said to him: “Are you are asking this on your own or are you repeating what was told?” Pilate said: “I am not a Jew, but your people have brought you to me, and they accuse you for calling yourself the king.” Jesus said: “Yes, I am the king, but my kingdom is not the earthly one. If I were a worldly king, then my people would fight for me and wouldn’t let Jews to take me. But you can see what they did to me. My kingdom is not the earthly one.” Then Pilate said: “Still, do you consider yourself a king?” Jesus said: “I teach people the truth of the heavenly kingdom. And who lives the truth, he is the king.” Pilate said: “The truth? What is the truth?” And Pilate turned back to Jesus and went out again to the Jews and said to them: “In my opinion, this man has done nothing wrong and there is nothing to execute him for.” But the chief priests insisted and said that he is doing a lot of evil and rebels the people and has rebelled the entire Judea. Then Pilate began again to interrogate Jesus in front of the high priests. He said to Jesus: “You see that they charge you – how come you don’t defend yourself?” But Jesus kept silent and did not say a single word anymore, so that Pilate was astonished at him. Then Pilate remembered that Galilee belongs to Herod’s jurisdiction, and asked: “Isn’t he from Galilee?” He was told that Jesus was from Galilee, indeed. Then Pilate said: “If he is from Galilee, then he’s under Herod’s authority.” And, to get rid of the Jews, Pilate sent Jesus to Herod. (John 18, 28-38; Luke 23, 2-7; Mark 15, 3-5)
Questions:
1) How did they bring Jesus to Pilate?
2) What did Pilate say to the Jews, and what did they tell him?
3) What did Pilate say to Jesus and what did Jesus answer him?
4) What did Pilate say to the Jews, and that did they respond to him?
5) How did Pilate interrogate Jesus in front of Jews?
6) How did he send him to Herod?