When they were assembled, he encircled them with soldiers; instead of resisting, they offered him their lives, and conquered.

He recalled the images and ensigns to Caesarea, where Gratus, with more consideration, had kept such abominations housed during the eleven years of his reign.
The worst of men do once in a while vary their wickednesses by good acts; so with Pilate.

He ordered an inspection of all the prisons in Judea, and a return of the names of the persons in custody, with a statement of the crimes for which they had been committed.
Doubtless, the motive was the one so common with officials just installed--dread of entailed responsibility; the people, however, in thought of the good which might come of the measure, gave him credit, and, for a period, were comforted.

The revelations were astonishing.

Hundreds of persons were released against whom there were no accusations; many others came to light who had long been accounted dead; yet more amazing, there was opening of dungeons not merely unknown at the time by the people, but actually forgotten by the prison authorities.