The "praetorium" was the headquarters of the Roman prefect when he was in town (possibly the old palace of Herod the Great). Immediately prior to today's gospel text, Pilate had stepped outside the protective walls of the "praetorium" to meet with Jesus' priestly accusers. Pilate's politically correct presence in Jerusalem during the festival of Passover was designed to discourage the throngs of visitors to the city from rioting in the streets. By going out to meet with the priests, reluctantly agreeing to hear Jesus' case, and now launching a formal inquiry into the charges brought against Jesus, Pilate is dealing as swiftly as possible with a potentially disruptive situation.

Finally facing Jesus, Pilate conducts his formal cognito or inquiry into "the truth" of what has been said and do…