[Charles Henrickson]

In his reply to Governor Pilate, Jesus himself affirms that the authority to put to death has been given to the state by God:

So Pilate said to Him, "You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?" Jesus answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above. . . ."
--John 19:10-11

[HiTech RedNeck]

Jesus answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above. . . ."

You can't prove that from that. The crucifixion of Christ, from the earthly point of view, was a lynch job pure and simple, and Pilate as one who must answer to God as does all earthly government, had NO legitimate business ordering it. The "authority" in this context is the same as the "authority" given the devil... i.e. permission.