Urantia Book 107. The life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, Joshua bin Joseph, Yeshua, Christ Michael, Sovereign God of Nebadon. The Jews took Jesus to Pilate, who came out of the judgment hall and said: “What accusation do you bring against this fellow?” The Jews wanted confirmation of the death penalty without volunteering any charge. Thus, the spokesman for the Jews said: “If this man were not an evildoer, we should not have delivered him up to you.” Pilate answered: “Since you have not agreed on a definite charge, why don’t you pass judgment on him in accordance with your own laws?” The clerk spoke again: “It is not lawful for us to put any man to death, and this disturber of our nation deserves to die for the things which he has said and done. Thus, we have come to you for confirmation of this decree.” To come before the Roman governor with this attempt at evasion discloses both the ill will and the ill humor of the Jews toward Jesus, as well as the lack of respect for the fairness, honor and dignity of Pilate. Pilate had already heard about Jesus from his wife, who was a believer. Pilate would have liked to postpone this matter, but he knew that this was not only the forenoon of preparation for the Passover, but that this day, being Friday, was also the preparation day for the Jewish Sabbath of rest and worship. So Pilate said to them: “I will not sentence this man to death without a trial; neither will I consent to examine him until you have presented your charges against him in writing.” The clerk then handed up the charges against Jesus. They were: 1. Perverting our nation and stirring our people to rebellion. 2. Forbidding the people to pay tribute to Caesar. 3. Calling himself the king of the Jews and teaching the founding of a new kingdom.********** Jesus had not been regularly tried nor legally convicted on any of these charges. Pilate now insisted that these charges be read in Jesus’ hearing. He made no reply to these false charges. Even when Pilate bade him answer these charges, he said nothing. Pilate was so astonished at the unfairness of the whole proceeding and so impressed with Jesus silent and masterly bearing that he decided to take the Master inside the hall and examine him privately (185.2.1-13).**************** Pilate took Jesus and John Zebedee into a private chamber. He began by saying that he didn’t believe the first charge against Jesus, that he perverted the nation and incited rebellion. Then he asked: “Did you ever teach that tribute should be refused Caesar?” John explained that they paid taxes to both Caesar and the temple. Then Pilate asked: “What about the third accusation–are you king of the Jews?” Jesus explained about the kingdom of heaven and how he was like a king, but only in a spiritual way. Pilate had a hard time understanding it, but he concluded that Jesus was just a harmless fanatic. When Pilate brought Jesus out and told the Jews his opinion, the Jews went crazy. To buy himself time, Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, who was in town for Passover.