The Diatessaron Of Tatian

[1] [3461] And Pilate said unto the chief priests and the multitude, I have not found [2] against this man anything. [3462] But they cried out and said, He hath disquieted [3463] our people with his teaching in all Judæa, and he began [3464] from Galilee and unto this [3] place. [3465] And Pilate, when he heard the name of Galilee, asked, Is this man a Galilæan? [4] [3466] And when he learned that he was under the jurisdiction of Herod, he sent him to Herod: for he was in Jerusalem in those days.

[5] [3467] And Herod, when he saw Jesus, rejoiced exceedingly: for he had desired to see him for a long time, because he had heard regarding him many things; and he counted on [3468] [6] [Arabic, p.189] seeing some sign from him. [3469] And he questioned him with many words; but [7] Jesus answered him not a word. [3470] And the scribes and chief priests were [8] standing by, and they accused him vehemently. [3471] And Herod scoffed at him, he and his servants; and when he had scoffed at him, he clothed him in robes of scarlet, [9] and sent him to Pilate. [3472] And on that day Pilate and Herod became friends, there having been [3473] enmity between them before that.

[10, 11] [3474] And Pilate called the chief priests and the rulers of the people, [3475] and said unto them, Ye brought unto me this man, as the perverter of your people: and I have tried him before you, and have not found in this man any cause [3476] of all that ye [12] seek [3477] against him: [3478] nor yet Herod: for I sent him unto him; and he hath done [13] nothing for which he should deserve death. [3479] So now I will chastise him, and let [14, 15] him go. [3480] The multitude all cried out and said, Take him from us, take him. [3481] And [16] the chief priests and the elders accused him of many things. [3482] And during their [17] accusation he answered not a word. [3483] Then Pilate said unto him, Hearest thou not [18] how many things they witness against thee? [3484] And he answered him not, not even one word: and Pilate marvelled at that.

[19] [3485] And when the judge sat on his tribune, his wife sent unto him, and said unto him, See that thou have nothing to do with that righteous man: for I have suffered much in my dream [3486] to-day because of him.

[20] [3487] And at every feast the custom of the judge was to release to the people one [21] prisoner, him whom they would. [3488] And there was in their prison a well-known prisoner, [22, 23] called Barabbas. [3489] And when they assembled, Pilate said unto them, [3490] Ye have a custom, that I should release unto you a prisoner at the passover: will ye that I [24] release unto you the King of the Jews? [3491] And they all cried out and said, Release not [Arabic, p.190] unto us this man, but release unto us Barabbas. And this Barabbas was a [25] robber, [3492] who for sedition [3493] and murder, which was in the city, was cast into the [26] prison. [3494] And all the people cried out and began to ask him to do as the custom was [27] that he should do with them. [3495] And Pilate answered and said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called the Messiah, the [28] King of the Jews? [3496] For Pilate knew that envy had moved them to deliver him up. [29] [3497] And the chief priests and the elders asked the multitudes to deliver Barabbas, and [30] to destroy Jesus. [3498] The judge answered and said unto them, Whom of the two will [31] ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. [3499] Pilate said unto them, And [32] Jesus which is called the Messiah, what shall I do with him? [3500] They all cried out [33] and said, Crucify him. [3501] And Pilate spake to them again, for he desired to release [34] Jesus; [3502] but they cried out and said, Crucify him, crucify him, and release unto us [35] Barabbas. [3503] And Pilate said unto them a third time, What evil hath this man done? I have not found in him any cause [3504] to necessitate death: I will chastise him and [36] let him go. [3505] But they increased in importunity [3506] with a loud voice, and asked him to crucify him. And their voice, and the voice of the chief priests, prevailed. [37] [3507] Then Pilate released unto them that one who was cast into prison for sedition and murder, Barabbas, whom they asked for: [3508] and he scourged Jesus with whips. [3509]

[38] [3510] Then the footsoldiers of the judge took Jesus, and went into the prætorium, and [39] [Arabic, p.191] gathered unto him all of the footsoldiers. [3511] And they stripped him, and put on [40] him a scarlet cloak. [3512] And they clothed him in garments of purple, and plaited [41] a crown of thorns, and placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; [3513] and while they mocked at him and laughed, they fell down on their knees before him, and bowed [42] down to [3514] him, and said, Hail, [3515] King of the Jews! [3516] And they spat in his face, and took the reed from his hand, and struck him on his head, [3517] and smote his cheeks. [43] [3518] And Pilate went forth without again, and said unto the Jews, I bring him forth to [44] you, that ye may know that I do not find, in examining [3519] him, even one crime. [3520] [3521] And Jesus went forth without, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garments. [45] [3522] Pilate said unto them, Behold, the man! And when the chief priests and the soldiers [3523] saw him, they cried out and said, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate said unto them, Take him yourselves, and crucify him: for I find not a cause [3524] against [46] him. [3525] The Jews said unto him, We have a law, and according to our law he deserves [47] death, because he made himself the Son of God. [3526] And when Pilate heard this word, [48] his fear increased; [3527] and he entered again into the porch, and said to Jesus, Whence [49] art thou? [3528] But Jesus answered him not a word. Pilate said unto him, Speakest [3529] thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have authority to release thee, and have [50] authority to crucify thee? [3530] Jesus said unto him, Thou hast not any [3531] authority over me, if thou wert not given it from above: therefore the sin of him that delivered [51] me up unto thee is greater than thy sin. [3532] And for this word Pilate wished to release him: but the Jews cried out, If thou let him go, thou art not a friend of Cæsar: for every one that maketh himself a king is against Cæsar.