And then I saw simply a man who was accused of treason by His own people. And I was His governor and His judge.
I questioned Him, but he would not answer. He only looked at me. And in His look was pity, as if it were He who was my governor and my judge.
Then there rose from without the cries of the people. But He remained silent, and still He was looking at me with pity in His eyes.
And I went out upon the steps of the palace, and when the people saw me they ceased to cry out. And I said:
“What would you with this man?”
And they shouted as if with one throat: “We would crucify Him. He is our enemy and the enemy of Rome.”
And some called out:
“Did He not say He would destroy the temple? And was it not He who claimed the kingdom? We will have no king but Caesar.”
Then I left them and went back into the Judgment Hall again, and I saw Him still standing there alone, and His head was still high.
And I remembered what I had read that a Greek philosopher said:
“The lonely man is the strongest man.”
At that moment the Nazarene was greater than His race.
And I did not feel clement towards Him. He was beyond my clemency.
I asked Him then: “Are you the King of the Jews?”
And He said not a word.