As the death sentence could not be carried out by the Jews, Jesus was taken by the temple guards into the presence of Pilate, the Roman governor, bound and accompanied by about fifty accusers, including the Sanhedrist court, Judas Iscariot, and the high priest, Caiaphas. “Pilate would have liked to postpone this hearing, but saw that the Jewish leaders were determined to proceed with the case...” Consequently, Pilate conducted a private hearing and then tried to avoid responsibility by ordering that Jesus be taken before Herod, whose jurisdiction included Galilee. But Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate, who then held a public hearing on the steps of the praetorium. The crowd, spurred on by the religious leaders, called for Jesus to be crucified.