In the New Testament we see an interesting contradiction within the two scriptures below.

John 18:31

31Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.”

   “But we have no right to execute anyone,” the Jews objected.

Acts 7:54-57 The Stoning of Stephen
54When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56″Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
57At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

In the case of Jesus they bring Him to Pilate and claim to have no right to execute anyone, but in the case of Stephen, they execute him immediately. what are your thoughts on these contradictory positions taken by the the Jews of Jerusalem, which in both cases at least included members of the religious establishment and leadership. Share your comments…..