Verse 2 Pontius Pilate. Thus far Jesus had been in the hands of the Jewish authorities. In conquered countries, the native tribunals are generally preserved, though they are restricted to the exercise of subordinate functions. Thus the Sanhedrim, the great Jewish council, before which Jesus was first taken, though they had power to arrest and to try him, could inflict upon him only inferior punishments. The instance of Stephen, whose life was taken by a Jewish court, (Acts 6:12-7:60,) and some other cases, have led to a doubt whether the power to inflict capital punishments was absolutely and entirely taken away from the Jews. At any rate, the Jewish authorities seem to have considered that, in this case, the assent of the Roman governor, alone, could sanction crucifixion. (See John 18:31.)