We come to the final step before Jesus’ crucifixion, and to the heart of why it was necessary: a substitute to suffer in our place for our sins. Jesus has been condemned for blasphemy by his own testimony before the Sanhedrin. Now he stands trial before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea who has the power to save or execute him. In Mark’s account this is not where Jesus becomes a helpless victim, but ironically where he shows himself as the true King, willing sacrificing himself for his people.