This is an image to prequel several others I've already done on the Conspiracy against Jesus. In this part, cowardly, greedy and evil Pharisees are extorting Pilate to allow the murder of Christ in a way Rome could take the blame, too cowardly to just hang him themselves! (in some versions I've heard, Pilate offers them swords, and shows them how to use them, adding that their cultures could share much, them teaching the legion how to stab in the BACK should the need arise!) Pilate is technically in charge, but Judea is a real hornet's nest and his countless brutal suppression have only lead to more uprisings and the Pharisees who rule for their own pleasure thanks to him have influence in surprising places. Though he'd certainly put a sword in an enemy if the legion took a sword to every "New age Guru" with a handful of followers that made the Pharisees sh-t their diapers, they'd be too tired to fight the ones actually uprising against them, along with Gauls, Goths, Picts, etc. Romans hated cowards, so he hates them for pushing him into this and himself for going along with it. Subsequent images are: 1. Innocent the Blood http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2316239 2. The Blood Curse http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2316999 3. Given Sight by the Blood http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2317705 And I've got a fifth planned I'll do someday:-) Peace and Praise to Jesus whom I finally acknowledge died for my sins!