After they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea. He was coming near the boat, and they were afraid.

But He said to them, “It is I. Don’t be afraid!”

His parents said these things because they were afraid of the Jews, since the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed Him as Messiah, he would be banned from the synagogue.

When Pilate heard this statement, he was more afraid than ever.

From that moment Pilate made every effort to release Him. But the Jews shouted, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar!”