Matthew 27:15-26 ▼

15 At every Passover festival the governor would free one prisoner whom the crowd wanted.

16 At that time there was a well-known prisoner by the name of Barabbas.

17 So when the people gathered, Pilate asked them, |Which man do you want me to free for you? Do you want me to free Barabbas or Jesus, who is called Christ?|

18 Pilate knew that they had handed Jesus over to him because they were jealous.

19 While Pilate was judging the case, his wife sent him a message. It said, |Leave that innocent man alone. I've been very upset today because of a dream I had about him.|

20 But the chief priests and leaders persuaded the crowd to ask for the release of Barabbas and the execution of Jesus.

21 The governor asked them, |Which of the two do you want me to free for you?| They said, |Barabbas.|

22 Pilate asked them, |Then what should I do with Jesus, who is called Christ?| |He should be crucified!| they all said.

23 Pilate asked, |Why? What has he done wrong?| But they began to shout loudly, |He should be crucified!|

24 Pilate saw that he was not getting anywhere. Instead, a riot was breaking out. So Pilate took some water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. He said, |I won't be guilty of killing this man. Do what you want!|

25 All the people answered, |The responsibility for killing him will rest on us and our children.|

26 Then Pilate freed Barabbas for the people. But he had Jesus whipped and handed over to be crucified.