Jesus or Barabbas

¹⁵ At the festival^(A) the governor’s custom was to release to the crowd a prisoner they wanted. ¹⁶ At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.^{[a] 17} So when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Who is it you want me to release for you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” ^{(B) 18} For he knew it was because of envy that they had handed him over.

¹⁹ While he was sitting on the judge’s bench, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for today I’ve suffered terribly in a dream because of him.”^(C)

²⁰ The chief priests and the elders, however, persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to execute Jesus. ²¹ The governor asked them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?”

“Barabbas!” they answered.

²² Pilate asked them, “What should I do then with Jesus, who is called Christ?”

They all answered, “Crucify him!” ^(D)

²³ Then he said, “Why? What has he done wrong?”

But they kept shouting all the more, “Crucify him!” ^(E)

²⁴ When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that a riot was starting instead, he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, “I am innocent of this man’s blood.^[b] See to it yourselves!” ^(F)

²⁵ All the people answered, “His blood be on us^(G) and on our children!” ²⁶ Then he released Barabbas to them and, after having Jesus flogged, handed him over to be crucified.^(H)

Jesus or Barabbas

¹³ Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people,^{(A) 14} and said to them, “You have brought me this man as one who misleads the people.^(B) But in fact, after examining him in your presence, I have found no grounds^(C) to charge this man with those things you accuse him of. ¹⁵ Neither has Herod, because he sent him back to us. Clearly, he has done nothing to deserve death. ¹⁶ Therefore, I will have him whipped^[a](D) and then release him.”^[b]

¹⁸ Then^(E) they all cried out together, “Take this man away!^(F) Release Barabbas to us!” ¹⁹ (He had been thrown into prison for a rebellion that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)

²⁰ Wanting to release Jesus,^(G) Pilate addressed them again, ²¹ but they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify him!”

²² A third time he said to them, “Why? What has this man done wrong?^(H) I have found in him no grounds^(I) for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have him whipped and then release him.”

²³ But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that he be crucified, and their voices^[c] won out. ²⁴ So^(J) Pilate decided to grant their demand^{(K) 25} and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.^(L)

³⁹ You^(A) have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?”

⁴⁰ They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” ^(B) Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.^[a](C)

Jesus Flogged and Mocked

19 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. ² The soldiers also twisted together a crown^(D) of thorns, put it on his head, and clothed him in a purple robe. ³ And they kept coming up to him^(E) and saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” and were slapping his face.

⁴ Pilate went outside again and said to them, “Look, I’m bringing him out to you to let you know I find no grounds^(F) for charging him.” ⁵ Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.^(G) Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” ^(H)

Pilate Sentences Jesus to Death

⁶ When the chief priests and the temple servants^[b] saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”

Pilate responded, “Take him and crucify him yourselves, since I find no grounds for charging him.”