Matthew 27:15-26 - Pilate Releases Barabbas

¹⁵ Now at that feast the governor was accustomed to release unto the people a prisoner, whoever they desired. ¹⁶ And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. ¹⁷ Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom desire ye that I release unto you? Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ? ¹⁸ For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

¹⁹ When he was seated upon the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

²⁰ But the princes of the priests and the elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. ²¹ The governor answered and said unto them, Which of the two desire ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

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

²³ And the governor said, Why, what evil has he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

²⁴ When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person; see ye to it.

²⁵ Then all the people answered and said, His blood be on us and on our children. ²⁶ Then he released Barabbas unto them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

⁶ Now at that feast it was customary that he release unto them one prisoner, whoever they desired. ⁷ And there was one named Barabbas, who lay bound with those that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. ⁸ And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had always done unto them. ⁹ And Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? ¹⁰ For he knew that the princes of the priests had delivered him for envy. ¹¹ But the princes of the priests moved the multitude that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.

¹² And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?

¹³ And they cried out again, crucify him.

¹⁴ Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil has he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, crucify him.

¹⁵ And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

¹³ Then Pilate, calling together the princes of the priests and the rulers and the people, ¹⁴ said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me as one that perverts the people; and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things of which ye accuse him; ¹⁵ no, nor yet Herod, for I sent you to him; and, behold, he has done nothing worthy of death. ¹⁶ I will therefore chastise him and release him. ¹⁷ (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)

¹⁸ And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas ¹⁹ (who for a certain sedition made in the city and for murder was cast into prison).

²⁰ Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spoke again to them. ²¹ But they cried, saying, crucify him, crucify him.

²² And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil has he done? I have found no cause of death in him; I will therefore chastise him and let him go.

²³ And they insisted with loud voices, asking that he be crucified. And the voices of them and of the princes of the priests prevailed. ²⁴ And Pilate gave sentence that it should be according to their request. ²⁵ And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder had been cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.