and he announced his verdict.“ You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent.Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty.
We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes.
They began to state their case:“ This man has been leading our people astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming he is the Messiah, a king.”