Jesus' Trial Before Rome's Rulers

After formalizing Caiphas' finding that Jesus had committed a capital crime, the Sanhedrin sent Him to Pilate with the intent that he'd carry out their sentence of death. The four gospel accounts all record Jesus' appearance before Pilate and they all focus on the issue of Jesus being the supposed "King of the Jews." Israel's rulers presented Him this way because they knew that would force Pilate's hand. Caesar tolerated much from the peculiar people of this remote province of Palestine, but he'd never permit a Jewish "king" to threaten his supreme authority.