Matthew 27:15-26 - Pilate Releases Barabbas

¹⁵ Now at the feast, the governor had been accustomed to release one prisoner to the people, whomsoever they chose. ¹⁶ And they had at that time a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. ¹⁷ Being therefore gathered around him, Pilate said to them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus called Messiah? ¹⁸ For he knew that out of envy they had delivered him up.

¹⁹ Then, as he was sitting on the tribunal, his wife sent a message to him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that righteous person; for I have suffered much to-day in a dream on his account.

²⁰ But the chief priests and elders persuaded the populace that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. ²¹ The governor repeating the question, said to them, Which of the two will ye that I release unto you? They said Barabbas.

²² Pilate saith unto them, What then shall I do with Jesus, who is called the Messiah? They all say to him, Let him be crucified.

²³ The governor replied, But what evil hath he done? They cried out with greater vehemence, saying, Let him be crucified.

²⁴ When Pilate saw that it was of no use to contend, but that rather a tumult was rising, he took water, and washed his hands before the people, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man: ye must answer for it.

²⁵ Then all the people answering said, His blood be on us, and on our children. ²⁶ Then he released unto them Barabbas: but having scourged Jesus, he delivered him up to be crucified.

⁶ Now at the feast, he released one prisoner to them, whomsoever they petitioned for. ⁷ And there was one called Barabbas, bound with those who had made an insurrection with him, and had committed murder in the insurrection. ⁸ And the multitude, clamorous, began to petition him to do, as he had always done to them. ⁹ Then Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the king of the Jews? ¹⁰ (For he knew that out of envy the chief priests had delivered him up.) ¹¹ Then the chief priests stirred up the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.

¹² Then Pilate addressing them, said unto them again, What therefore do you wish that I should do with him whom ye call the king of the Jews?

¹³ And they cried out again, Crucify him.

¹⁴ Then Pilate said unto them, But what criminal act hath he done? And they cried the more vociferously, Crucify him.

¹⁵ So Pilate, willing to do what would be satisfactory to the people, released to them Barabbas, and delivered Jesus to be scourged, in order to be crucified.

¹³ Then Pilate, convoking the chief priests and the rulers and the people, ¹⁴ said unto them, Ye have brought this man to me, as one who perverteth the people: and lo! on examining him before you, I have found nothing culpable in this man, respecting the charges ye bring against him: ¹⁵ nor Herod neither: for I referred you to him; and, lo, nothing is done to this man, as if he deserved death. ¹⁶ I will therefore, after scourging, discharge him. ¹⁷ (Now he held it necessary to release one to them at the feast.)

¹⁸ Then the whole multitude set up a cry, saying, Away with this fellow, and release unto us Barabbas! ¹⁹ (who for a certain sedition raised in the city, and for murder, had been cast into prison.)

²⁰ Again therefore Pilate called out to them, desirous to see Jesus at liberty. ²¹ But they clamoured the more, saying, Crucify, crucify him.

²² Then the third time he said to them, What evil hath this man done? I have found nothing deserving death in him: I will therefore, after scourging, discharge him.

²³ But they were instant with the most clamorous vociferations, soliciting that he might be crucified. And their clamours, and those of the chief priests, bore him down. ²⁴ Then Pilate decreed that their petition should be granted. ²⁵ Then released he to them him who for sedition and murder had been cast into prison; but he gave up Jesus to their will.