Pilate grinned. “I thought that if this was the Messiah who would deliver his people from their so-called oppressions, neither Tiberius nor Vitellius need lose any sleep. As I remember, his hands were tied behind him and his face had patches of dried blood on one cheek. His lips were puffed and his eyes were half closed as if he were nearly asleep. A rope was around his neck, and an old red woolen robe was draped on his shoulders. He was taller than most Jews, but with his beard and in his condition I could not estimate his age. All in all, he was not a pleasant sight as Caiaphas led him to the edge of the platform. I commenced by asking, as is customary, ‘What accusation do you bring against this man?’ expecting Caiaphas to tell me, as we had planned, that the Sanhedrin had found him guilty of blasphemy, under their laws, and had judged him deserving of death. I was prepared to grant them my permission to proceed, sign the execution certificate, and quickly adjourn the hearing. Instead, in response to my question, Caiaphas said, ‘If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.’ I was speechless for a moment, before I realized what that worm in priestly vestments had plotted behind my back.”

“I think I do too,” I said. “He was passing the—I mean, he wanted you to try Jesus, find him guilty, and execute him. Then the burden of responsibility for his death would pass from the Sanhedrin to you, and if the people rioted, all the blame would be yours.”

“Exactly,” Pilate replied. “Caiaphas had tricked me, and with the three inspectors looking on I had to fight with myself to keep from leaping down from the platform and strangling him with my bare hands. Instead I said, ‘Take him yourselves, then, and judge him according to your law.’ I rose and prepared to adjourn the meeting, but Caiaphas and two or three other priests cried out, ‘It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.’ ”

“They did not inform you that they had already tried Jesus and found him guilty of blasphemy, under their laws, and were already prepared to execute him with your permission?”