Matthew 27:15-26 - Pilate Releases Barabbas

¹⁵ Now at that feast, the governor was wont to release to the people a prisoner, whom they would. ¹⁶ And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. ¹⁷ Therefore when they were assembled, Pilate said to them, Whom will ye that I release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ? ¹⁸ (For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.)

¹⁹ When he was sitting on the judgment-seat, his wife sent to 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 chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. ²¹ The governor answered and said to them, Which of the two will ye that I release to you? They said, Barabbas.

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

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

²⁴ When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, 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 answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. ²⁶ Then he released Barabbas to them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

⁶ Now at that feast he released to them one prisoner, whom they desired. ⁷ And there was one named Barabbas, who lay bound with them 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 ever done to them. ⁹ But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release to you the King of the Jews? ¹⁰ (For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.) ¹¹ But the chief priests moved the people that he should rather release Barabbas to them.

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

¹³ And they cried out again, Crucify him.

¹⁴ Then Pilate said to them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.

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

¹³ And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, and the rulers, and the people, ¹⁴ Said to them, Ye have brought this man to me, as one that perverteth 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 lo, nothing worthy of death is done to him: ¹⁶ I will therefore chastise him, and release him. ¹⁷ (For of necessity he must release one to them at the feast.)

¹⁸ And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release to 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, crucify him.

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

²³ And they were urgent with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified: and the voices of them, and of the chief priests prevailed. ²⁴ And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. ²⁵ And he released to them him that for sedition and murder had been cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.