# Day 297

# “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

Luke 23:8–12

Herod was happy. He’d heard of Jesus and hoped he’d do a miracle for him. This was his chance. But Jesus didn’t answer any of his questions. The leading priests kept up their complaints about Jesus. Herod and his soldiers treated him shamefully and mocked him. Finally, they sent him back to Pilate. Jesus arrived wearing a royal robe. This was a joke about Jesus being king.

“This man hasn’t done anything wrong,” Pilate told them. “Herod doesn’t seem to think so either. That’s why he sent Jesus back to me. He’s done nothing worth dying for. I’ll just whip him and let him go.” By this time many people had gathered.

“Away with him!” shouted the crowd. “Let Barabbas out of prison instead.” Barabbas was a murderer. But Pilate still wanted to let Jesus go. The crowd kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate tried one more time, but they shouted him down. So Pilate let the murderer Barabbas out of prison. He then took Jesus, had him whipped, and gave him to the crowd.

Herod and Pilate had never liked each other. But the day they questioned Jesus, the two men became friends.

Questions: Why was Herod happy to see Jesus? Why did the soldiers dress Jesus in a royal robe?