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Nothing is said about Caiaphas’s own course of action. We are told only that Jesus was conveyed from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor Pilate and that he, in deference to Jewish religious scruples, came out to the Jews to ascertain the charge against Jesus (vv.28-29). Insolence, not substance, was their response (v.30). They wanted a judicial execution, which was apparently outside their jurisdiction (v.31). With 18:32 cf. 3:14; 8:28; 12:32-33. Jesus was not being disrespectful when Pilate asked whether or not he was king of the Jews (vv.33-34). Before he could answer the question, he had to know what was behind it. Once that was cleared up, he accepted the title but rejected the meaning given it (vv.35-36). His kingship was bound up with truth, God’s truth, and that was beyond Pilate, as his cynical question showed (vv.37-38). Nevertheless, Pilate judged Jesus innocent of any violation of the law, and attempted to free him through a custom not attested outside the New Testament (vv.38-39; cf. Mk 15:6 and parallels). But the Jews would have none of it (v.40).