Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 17
Yet,look:whenPilatewentoutscowlingtomeetthemobthathadfetchedthefisherman,hefellimmediatelyunderthecharmoftheman.
Iwaspresent.Iknow.ItwasthefirsttimePilatehadeverseenhim.Pilatewentoutangry.Oursoldierswereinreadinesstoclearthecourtofitsnoisyvermin.AndimmediatelyPilatelaideyesonthefishermanPilatewassubdued—nay,wassolicitous.Hedisclaimedjurisdiction,demandedthattheyshouldjudgethefishermanbytheirlawanddealwithhimbytheirlaw,sincethefishermanwasaJewandnotaRoman.NeverwerethereJewssoobedienttoRomanrule.Theycriedoutthatitwasunlawful,underRome,forthemtoputanymantodeath.YetAntipashadbeheadedJohnandcometonogriefofit.
AndPilatelefttheminthecourt,openunderthesky,andtookJesusaloneintothejudgmenthall.WhathappenedthereinIknownot,savethatwhenPilateemergedhewaschanged.WhereasbeforehehadbeendisinclinedtoexecutebecausehewouldnotbemadeacatspawtoHanan,hewasnowdisinclinedtoexecutebecauseofregardforthefisherman.Hiseffortnowwastosavethefisherman.Andallthewhilethemobcried:“Crucifyhim!Crucifyhim!”
You,myreader,knowthesincerityofPilate’seffort.Youknowhowhetriedtobefoolthemob,firstbymockingJesusasaharmlessfool;andsecondbyofferingtoreleasehimaccordingtothecustomofreleasingoneprisonerattimeofthePassover.
