Matthew 27:15-26 - Pilate Releases Barabbas

¹⁵ Now at the feast the governour was wont to release to the people a prisoner, whom they would. ¹⁶ And they had then a notorious prisoner, named Barabbas. ¹⁷ Therefore when they were gathered together, 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 While he sat 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 to-day in a dream because of him.

²⁰ But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude, to ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. ²¹ The governour answering said to them, Which of the two will ye that I release to you?

²² They say, Barabbas. 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 governour said, Why, what evil hath he done?

²⁴ But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. Then Pilate, seeing, that he could prevail nothing, but rather a tumult was made, took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just man: see ye to it.

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

⁶ Now at every feast he released to them one prisoner, whomsoever they would. 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, desired him to do as he had ever done for them. ⁹ And 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) But the chief priests stirred up the people to desire, ¹¹ that he would rather release Barabbas to them.

¹² And Pilate answering said to them again, What will ye then that I do to him whom ye call the king of the Jews?

¹³ And they cried out again, Crucify him. Then Pilate said to them, Why, what evil hath he done?

¹⁴ And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.

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

¹³ And Pilate having called together the chief priests, and the rulers, ¹⁴ and the people, Said to them, Ye have brought this man to me, as perverting the people; and behold, I having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man, touching the things whereof ye accuse him. ¹⁵ Nor yet Herod; for I sent you to him; and lo, he hath done nothing worthy of death. ¹⁶ I will therefore chastise and release him. ¹⁷ For he was under a necessity of releasing one to them at the feast.

¹⁸ And they cried all at once saying, Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas: ¹⁹ (Who for an insurrection made in the city, and for murder had been cast into prison.)

²⁰ Pilate desiring to release Jesus, spake again to them. ²¹ But they cried, saying, Crucify, crucify him. He said to them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done?

²² I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise and release him.

²³ But they insisted with loud voices, requiring that he should be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. ²⁴ And Pilate gave sentence, that what they desired should be done. ²⁵ And he released to them him, that for insurrection and murder had been cast into prison, whom they desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.