Jesus Protected Pilate What - Matthew
Pilate, while not guiltless tried several times to have Jesus released, the Jews however plied great pressure, implying sedition by Pilate if Jesus was set free.
(John 19:12-15) 12 For this reason Pilate kept on seeking how to release him. But the Jews shouted, saying: "If you release this [man], you are not a friend of Caesar. Every man making himself a king speaks against Caesar." 13 Therefore Pilate, after hearing these words, brought Jesus outside, and he sat down on a judgment seat in a place called The Stone Pavement, but, in Hebrew, Gab′ba‧tha. 14 Now it was preparation of the passover; it was about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews: "See! YOUR king!" 15 However, they shouted: "Take [him] away! Take [him] away! Impale him!" Pilate said to them: "Shall I impale YOUR king?" The chief priests answered: "We have no king but Caesar.. . .