1 Early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin devised a plan. They bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate.
2 So Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews? “You have said so, Jesus replied.
3 And the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things.
4 Then Pilate questioned Him again, “ Have You no answer? Look how many charges they are bringing against You!
5 But to Pilate’s amazement, Jesus made no further reply.
6 Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people a prisoner of their choosing.
7 And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection.
8 So the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to keep his custom.
9 “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews? Pilate asked.
10 For he knew it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over.
11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead.
12 So Pilate asked them again, “What then do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?
13 And they shouted back, “Crucify Him!
14 “Why? asked Pilate. “What evil has He done? But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!
15 And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.
