Matthew 27:15-26 - Pilate Releases Barabbas

¹⁵ At that feast, the deputy was wont to deliver unto the people a prisoner whom they would desire. ¹⁶ He had then a notable prisoner called Barabbas. ¹⁷ And when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, "Whether will ye that I give loose unto you: Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?" ¹⁸ For he knew well, that for envy they had delivered him.

¹⁹ When he was set down to give judgment, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have thou nothing to do with that just man, I have suffered many things this day in a dream about him."

²⁰ But the chief priests and the elders had persuaded the people, that they should ask Barabbas, and should destroy Jesus. ²¹ Then the deputy answered and said unto them, "Whether of the twain will ye that I let loose unto you?" And they said, "Barabbas."

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

²³ Then said the deputy, "What evil hath he done?" And they cried the more saying, "Let him be crucified."

²⁴ When Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but that more business was made, he took water and washed his hands before the people saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person: see ye thereto."

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

⁶ At that feast Pilate was wont to deliver at their pleasure a prisoner: whomsoever they would desire. ⁷ And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them, that made insurrection: and in the insurrection, committed murder. ⁸ And the people called unto him, and began to desire of him, according as he had ever done unto them. ⁹ Pilate answered them, and said, "Will ye that I loose unto you the King of the Jews?" ¹⁰ For he knew that the high priests had delivered him of envy. ¹¹ But the high priests had moved the people that he should, rather, deliver Barabbas unto them.

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

¹³ And they cried again, "Crucify him."

¹⁴ Pilate said unto them, "What evil hath he done?" And they cried the more fervently, "Crucify him."

¹⁵ And so Pilate, willing to content the people, loosed them Barabbas; And delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, for to be crucified.

¹³ And Pilate called together the high priests, and the rulers, and the people, ¹⁴ and said unto them, "Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverted the people. And behold, I have examined him before you, and have found no fault in this man, of those things whereof ye accuse him. ¹⁵ No, nor yet Herod. For I sent you to him: and lo, nothing worthy of death is done to him. ¹⁶ I will therefore chasten him, and let him loose." ¹⁷ For of necessity, he must have let one loose unto them at that feast.

¹⁸ And all the people cried at once, saying, "Away with him, and deliver to us Barabbas: ¹⁹ which for insurrection made in the city, and murder, was cast into prison."

²⁰ Pilate spake again to them, willing to let Jesus loose. ²¹ And they cried, saying, "Crucify him; Crucify him."

²² He said unto them the third time, "What evil hath he done? I find no cause of death in him. I will therefore chasten him, and let him go loose."

²³ And they cried with loud voice, and required that he might be crucified. And the voice of them and of the high priests prevailed. ²⁴ And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required, ²⁵ and let loose unto them, him that for insurrection, and murder, was cast into prison, whom they desired: and delivered Jesus to do with him what they would.