“…Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and purple robe, Pilate said, “Here is the man!” The chief priests and their officials shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I FIND NO BASIS FOR A CHARGE AGAINST HIM.” The Jewish leaders insisted…”HE MUST DIE, because he claimed to be the Son of God.” Pilate was even more afraid…Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, Jesus gave him no answer. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have NO POWER OVER ME if it were not given to you from above. FROM THEN ON, PILATE TRIED TO SET JESUS FREE, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, YOU ARE NO FRIEND OF CAESAR. Anyone who claims to be a king OPPOSES CAESAR.” (John 19:5-12)
Why were they so set on crucifying Him, because of what Jesus said earlier, “YOU BELONG TO YOUR FATHER, THE DEVIL, and you want to carry out your father’s desires.” (John 8:44) The Jewish leaders influenced many people so the devils will could be done, for example,
FROM THAT TIME MANY OF JESUS’ DISCIPLES WENT BACK AND WALKED WITH HIM NO MORE. (John 6:66)
-Bill Stockham