Passion of the Christ

You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.

The assembly reminded Pilate he had to release a prisoner during the Passover feast. They asked for Barabbas, a man imprisoned for murder and leading insurrection in the city. Unconvinced, Pilate pleaded with the crowd as they shouted to crucify Jesus:

Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have him punished and then release him.

Incited by their leaders to clamor for Barabas, the crowd pressed Pilate to put Jesus to death. By this time, Jesus was wearing both the purple robe and a crown of thorns. Pilate told the crowd:

Here is the man!

The people shouted for His crucifixion. Pilate told them:

You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.

Trying to wash his hands of responsibility, Pilate had Jesus scourged (an extremely cruel form of Roman beating with a flagrum) and handed him over to his soldiers to be crucified.