Read Mark's Story for Free Online Page A

it is why we put our trust in the Lord, and not in mere men. While Jesus was being accused of all manner of sin by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing more. Pilate said, ‘Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?’ But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.”
    “What does Pilate care about this discord among the Jews?” Mark’s mother said. “Why does he not just return to Caesarea and leave us to our own troubles?”
    “I’m sure he would prefer nothing more. But the people cried out for Jesus’ execution. Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’
    “Jesus said, ‘Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this?’
    “Pilate said, ‘Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?’
    “Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’”
    Mark was stunned to remember that Jesus had predicted His friends would not defend Him. “Tell me the rest.”
    “Pilate said, ‘Are You a king then?’
    “Jesus said, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’
    “Pilate said, ‘What is truth?’ And he went out again to the Jews and said, ‘I find no fault in Him at all.’”
    “So why didn’t he let Jesus go?”
    James glanced at the others. “As you know, at the feast the governor is accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wish.”
    “Had you all been there,” Mark said, “you could have insisted it be Jesus.”
    “Did anyone call for His release?” his mother said.
    James looked away. “You are familiar with Barabbas?”
    “Of course,” she said. “The notorious prisoner. Surely the people did not—”
    “They did, ma’am. Pilate said, ‘Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?’ I believe he knew they had handed Him over because of envy. But somehow the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. They cried out, ‘Release Barabbas!’
    “Pilate said, ‘What then shall I do with Jesus?’
    “They all said, ‘Let Him be crucified!’
    “The governor said, ‘Why, what evil has He done?’
    “But they cried out all the more, saying, ‘Let Him be crucified!’
    “Finally Pilate shrugged and took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, ‘I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.’
    “The people responded, ‘His blood be on us and on our children!’”
    Thomas and Bartholomew leaned to peer out the window as others arrived. “The other James and Peter,” Thomas said, and Mark stood and rushed from the room before they were welcomed. But he could not force himself far enough away to be unable to hear their account. Indeed, Peter sounded like a defeated man.
    “Tell us,” John’s brother said.
    Peter recited the latest news in a flat tone, and Mark found himself angrier with the man than before.
    “After Pilate released Barabbas to the crowd—and to much cheering, I might add—he scourged Jesus and delivered Him to be crucified.”
    “And what did you do about that?” Mark demanded, reentering.
    Peter looked up, stricken. “What could I do?” he said, voice thick with emotion. “The soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.”
    “Peter, please,” Mark’s mother said. “Not in front of the boy.”
    “He denied his friend in front of me, Mother! Do you think this could be worse? I want to hear it all!”
    Peter hung his head. “It’s