Matthew 27:20-26

New International Version

²⁰ But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.^(A)

²¹ “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

²² “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”^(B) Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

²³ “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

²⁴ When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar^(C) was starting, he took water and washed his hands^(D) in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,”^(E) he said. “It is your responsibility!”^(F)

²⁵ All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”^(G)

²⁶ Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged,^(H) and handed him over to be crucified.