What Is Truth?: John 18:28-19:16

Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.

The irony was thick. They would not enter a Gentile building—ceremonial defilement. But they would condemn an innocent man. Scrupulous about ritual, casual about justice.

So Pilate came out to them and asked, What charges are you bringing against this man?

Pilate accommodated their scruples, meeting them outside.