During the trial before Caiaphas, the charge of blasphemy (calling himself the Son of God) was determined to be the true crime Jesus had committed (see Mark 14:61–65).
The leaders had already tried to set Jesus against Roman interests and they would do it again (John 18:33; 19:12). Now they challenged the governor in different way. Pilate had to maintain peace by enforcing local law, even if it did not matter to Rome. Claiming to be God's son was not illegal. Even Israel's kings did this (Psalms 2:7; 89:22–27). However, Jesus claimed to have God's divine authority, which they considered blasphemy (see John 5:18).