"I am innocent of the blood of this just person; see ye to it"

Pontius Pilate was the Roman prefect who presided over the trial of Jesus of Nazareth. This quote is drawn from the Bible, when Pilate was presented with the decision of whether or not to crucify Jesus. In this quote, Pilate is expressing his innocence in the death of Jesus, and is instead positioning the obligation on the people present. He is basically saying that he is not responsible for the death of Jesus, and that individuals present ought to take duty for it.

This quote is substantial since it reveals the power dynamics in between Pilate and the people present. Pilate is the one in power, and he is using his authority to shift the blame far from himself. He is likewise trying to absolve himself of any guilt or obligation in the death of Jesus. This quote is likewise substantial due to the fact that it shows the ethical dilemma that Pilate was facing. He was presented with a tough choice, and he was trying to find a way to make the right choice without taking responsibility for it.