Mark 15:6
Now at the Passover Festival Pilate customarily released whatever prisoner the people asked him to.
John 18:39-40
But since you [Jews] have a custom that I should release to you one [prisoner] during the Passover Festival, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"
Matthew 26:2
"You know that the Passover Festival will be celebrated in two more days [Note: This was the annual Jewish festival commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage under Moses' leadership], and the Son of man will be turned over to be crucified."
Matthew 26:5
But they reasoned, "We will not do it during the Festival because it might start a riot among the people."
Matthew 27:15-26
Now at the [Passover] Festival, the governor was accustomed to releasing whatever prisoner the crowd wanted.
Luke 23:16-25
Therefore, I will have him punished and [then] release him." {{Some ancient manuscripts include verse
John 19:16
Finally, Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.
Acts 24:27
So, Felix allowed Paul to remain in chains, because he wanted to gain favor with the Jews [during that period of time]. Two years passed and Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus.
Acts 25:9
But Festus, wanting to gain favor with the Jews [See 24:27], answered Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?"