»Do you refuse to speak even to me?« asked Pilate; »do you not know that I have it in my power either to release you or to crucify you?«
But you have a custom that I should release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So shall I release to you the King of the Jews?«
»You would have had no power whatever over me,« replied Jesus, »had it not been granted you from above. On that account he who has delivered me up to you is more guilty than you are.«
»What is your origin?« he asked. But Jesus gave him no answer.