Luke 23:13-25 ▼

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.