Barabbas, and the sentence

15Now it was the governor’s custom at the feast to release to the crowd a prisoner of their choosing.

16At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner named Barabbas.

17So when the crowd had assembled, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”

18For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.

19While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.”

20But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death.

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

22“What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!”

23“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”

24When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”

25All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

26So Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.

6Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people a prisoner of their choosing.

7And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection.

8So the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to keep his custom.

9“Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” Pilate asked.

10For he knew it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over.

11But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead.

12So Pilate asked them again, “What then do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?”

13And they shouted back, “Crucify Him!”

14“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”

15And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.

13Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,

14and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him.

15Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death.

16Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”

18But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”

19(Barabbas had been imprisoned for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

20Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again,

21but they kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

22A third time he said to them, “What evil has this man done? I have found in Him no offense worthy of death. So after I punish Him, I will release Him.”

23But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices for Jesus to be crucified. And their clamor prevailed.

24So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met.

25As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and handed Jesus over to their will.

18:39But it is your custom that I release to you one prisoner at the Passover. So then, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”

18:40“Not this man,” they shouted, “but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was an insurrectionist.)

19:1Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged.

19:2The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns, set it on His head, and dressed Him in a purple robe.

19:3And they went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapping Him in the face.

19:4Once again Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.”

19:5When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”

19:6As soon as the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” “You take Him and crucify Him,” Pilate replied, “for I find no basis for a charge against Him.”

19:7“We have a law,” answered the Jews, “and according to that law He must die, because He declared Himself to be the Son of God.”

19:8When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid,

19:9and he went back into the Praetorium. “Where are You from?” he asked. But Jesus gave no answer.

19:10So Pilate said to Him, “Do You refuse to speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You and authority to crucify You?”

19:11Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”

19:12From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”

19:13When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat on the judgment seat at a place called the Stone Pavement, which in Hebrew is Gabbatha.

19:14It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your King!”

19:15At this, they shouted, “Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him!” “Shall I crucify your King?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” replied the chief priests.

19:16Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified, and the soldiers took Him away.