Matthew 27:15-26 - Pilate Releases Barabbas

¹⁵ Now it was customary at that feast for the governor to release a prisoner, such as the people should nominate. ¹⁶ there happen'd to be then in custody a notorious criminal, nam'd Barabbas. ¹⁷ therefore when they were assembled, Pilate said to them, who would you have releas'd? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ? ¹⁸ for he was sensible that they had delivered him up out of meer envy.

¹⁹ Whilst he was sitting on the tribunal, his wife sent this message to him, pray, have nothing to do with that just man: for to-day I have suffered very much on his account in a dream.

²⁰ but the chief priests and senators persuaded the people to demand Barabbas, and put to death Jesus. ²¹ the governor therefore having asked, which of the two would you have me release? they said, Barabbas.

²² Pilate replied, what shall I do then with Jesus, who is called Christ? they all cried out, let him be crucified.

²³ the governor said, why, what mischief has he done? but they cried out the more, let him be crucified.

²⁴ Pilate perceiving he was so far from prevailing, that they were more tumultuous, he took water, and washed his hands before all the people, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: you are answerable for it.

²⁵ at this all the people cry'd out, "his blood be on us, and on our children." ²⁶ Then he released to them Barabbas: but he order'd Jesus to be scourged, and delivered up to be crucified.

⁶ Now during the feast, it was customary to release a prisoner, to be nominated by the people. ⁷ Barabbas lay then confin'd with other seditious, who had committed murder in an insurrection. ⁸ the populace therefore fell a roaring, and desired him to do as was always practis'd. ⁹ but Pilate answered them, saying, do you chuse to have Jesus releas'd, the king of the Jews? ¹⁰ for he perceived plainly, it was out of malice, that the chief priests had prosecuted him. ¹¹ but the chief priests incited the people to demand, that he would rather release Barabbas.

¹² Pilate still urg'd them again, and said, what then would you have me do with him, that you stile king of the Jews?

¹³ and they cried out again, crucify him.

¹⁴ Pilate replied, why, what harm has he done? but they cried out more furiously, crucify him.

¹⁵ Pilate therefore willing to humour the people, released to them Barabbas, and having caused Jesus to be scourg'd, he deliver'd him to be crucified.

¹³ Pilate having order'd the chief priests, the senators, and people to appear, he said to them, ¹⁴ you have represented this man to me as one that was stirring up the people to a revolt: you see I have examin'd him in your presence; yet I don't find he is guilty of the crimes you have laid to his charge: no, nor even Herod; ¹⁵ for I referr'd you to him, and you see nothing that is capital, has been made out against him. ¹⁶ I will therefore order him to be whipp'd, and then release him. ¹⁷ now as it was customary for the governor to release one of the prisoners at the feast;

¹⁸ all the people cry'd out, let this man die, and release to us Barabbas. ¹⁹ Barabbas had been imprison'd for murder in a riot he had rais'd in the city.

²⁰ Pilate therefore, desirous to release Jesus, expostulated with them again. ²¹ but they cry'd out, crucify him, crucify him.

²² however he urg'd it a third time, why, what crime has he done? I don't find he has done any thing that deserves death: I will therefore order him to be whipp'd, and so dismiss him.

²³ but they persisted with great clamour in their demands, to have him crucified: and as the people and chief priests redoubled their clamours, ²⁴ Pilate determin'd to grant their request. ²⁵ accordingly he discharg'd the prisoner they desired, him that was committed for riot and murder; but he abandon'd Jesus to their discretion.