Chapters 47 - 50 Summary and Analysis

After Christ returned from Herod, Pilate appealed once again to the Jews to let him go, but they were unmoved. He then resorted to a clever ploy: Either Christ or Barabbas, a revolutionary and murderer, must go free. To his horror, though, the Jews chose to free Barabbas. Desperate, Pilate would try to compromise, and so he had Christ tortured but not killed. Once again, however, the Jews insisted on his death. Pontius retired to plan his next action when his wife, Claudia, sent him a plea to let Christ go, as she had been given a warning in her dreams. Ultimately, however, he caved, and he established his legacy as the man who condemned Christ.

Christ was led out to Golgotha, the site of his execution, along with two thieves. Christ was already so weakened and injured by...