Bible Verses About The Roman Empire: Power of life and death vested in its authorities

Pilate, therefore, said to them, `Take ye him--ye--and according to your law judge him;' the Jews, therefore, said to him, `It is not lawful to us to put any one to death;'

and ye have a custom that I shall release to you one in the passover; will ye, therefore, that I shall release to you the king of the Jews?'

therefore they all cried out again, saying, `Not this one--but Barabbas;' and Barabbas was a robber.

Pilate, therefore, saith to him, `To me dost thou not speak? hast thou not known that I have authority to crucify thee, and I have authority to release thee?'