But the group became more insistent, saying, “He is stirring up the people and teaching [these things] throughout all Judea. He began [doing this] in Galilee and [has continued it] even to this place [i.e., Jerusalem].”
But Peter kept insisting emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, still I will not deny [knowing] you.” And all the rest of the disciples spoke the same way.
So, Pilate called out to them a third time, “Why [should he be crucified]; what wrong has this man done? I have not found any reason for putting him to death, so I will punish him and [then] release him.”