But they continued insisting with loud shouts, demanding that he be crucified. Their shouting succeeded,
I am surrounded by man-eating lions—I am forced to live with them! Their teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongues are swords.
In one month I dismissed three shepherds. I became impatient with them, and they also hated me.
But Peter was totally adamant, saying, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you.” All of them said the same.
Pilate asked them for the third time, “But why? What crime has he committed? I don't find any reason for executing him. So I will have him flogged and then release him.”
and Pilate gave the sentence they demanded.
But they insisted, saying, “He is inciting rebellion all over Judea with his teachings, from Galilee to right here in Jerusalem.”