Behold a man speaking of truth at such a moment.
In my impatience I said aloud, to myself as much as to Him: “What is truth? And what is truth to the guiltless when the hand of the executioner is already upon him?”
Then Jesus said with power: “None shall rule the world save with the Spirit and truth.”
And I asked Him saying: “Are you of the Spirit?”
He answered: “So are you also, though you know it not.”
And what was the Spirit and what was truth, when I, for the sake of the State, and they from jealousy for their ancient rites, delivered an innocent man unto His death?
No man, no race, no empire would halt before a truth on its way towards self-fulfilment.
And I said again: “Are you the King of the Jews?”
And He answered: “You yourself say this. I have conquered the world ere this hour.”
And this alone of all that He said was unseemly, inasmuch as only Rome has conquered the world.
But now the voices of the people rose again, and the noise was greater than before.
And I descended from my seat and said to Him: “Follow me.”
And again I appeared upon the steps of the palace, and He stood there beside me.