John 18:29-31

Expanded Bible

²⁹ So Pilate [^CPontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea from ad 26 to 37] went outside to them and asked, “What ·charges [accusation] do you bring against this man?”

³⁰ They answered, “If he were not a ·criminal [^Levildoer], we wouldn’t have brought him to you.”

³¹ Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.”

“But ·we are not allowed [it is not legal for us] to put anyone to death,” the Jews answered. [^CThe Jewish people had to concede the authority for capital punishment to their Roman occupiers.]