Verse 12

From this point on, Pilate tried to release him. But the Jewish leaders shouted out,“If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar! Everyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar!”

Referenced Verses

• John 18:33-36 : 33 Pilate Questions Jesus So Pilate went back into the governor’s residence, summoned Jesus, and asked him,“Are you the king of the Jews?” 34 Jesus replied,“Are you saying this on your own initiative, or have others told you about me?” 35 Pilate answered,“I am not a Jew, am I? Your own people and your chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus replied,“My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my servants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish authorities. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”
• Acts 17:6-7 : 6 When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, screaming,“These people who have stirred up trouble throughout the world have come here too, 7 and Jason has welcomed them as guests! They are all acting against Caesar’s decrees, saying there is another king named Jesus!”
• Acts 24:24-27 : 24 Paul Speaks Repeatedly to Felix Some days later, when Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 While Paul was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said,“Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity, I will send for you.” 26 At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would give him money, and for this reason he sent for Paul as often as possible and talked with him. 27 After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because he wanted to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
• Mark 6:16-26 : 16 But when Herod heard this, he said,“John, whom I beheaded, has been raised!” 17 For Herod himself had sent men, arrested John, and bound him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. 18 For John had repeatedly told Herod,“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not 20 because Herod stood in awe of John and protected him, since he knew that John was a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard him, he was thoroughly baffled, and yet he liked to listen to John. 21 But a suitable day came, when Herod gave a banquet on his birthday for his court officials, military commanders, and leaders of Galilee. 22 When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl,“Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.” 23 He swore to her,“Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” 24 So she went out and said to her mother,“What should I ask for?” Her mother said,“The head of John the baptizer.” 25 Immediately she hurried back to the king and made her request:“I want the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.” 26 Although it grieved the king deeply, he did not want to reject her request because of his oath and his guests.
• Luke 23:2-5 : 2 They began to accuse him, saying,“We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding us to pay the tribute tax to Caesar and claiming that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 So Pilate asked Jesus,“Are you the king of the Jews?” He replied,“You say so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds,“I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” 5 But they persisted in saying,“He incites the people by teaching throughout all Judea. It started in Galilee and ended up here!”