Matthew 27:15-26 ▼

15 During the feast the governor was accustomed to release one prisoner to the crowd, whomever they wanted.

16 At that time they had in custody a notorious prisoner named Jesus Barabbas.

17 So after they had assembled, Pilate said to them, |Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Christ?|

18 (For he knew that they had handed him over because of envy.)

19 As he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent a message to him: |Have nothing to do with that innocent man; I have suffered greatly as a result of a dream about him today.|

20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed.

21 The governor asked them, |Which of the two do you want me to release for you?| And they said, |Barabbas!|

22 Pilate said to them, |Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Christ?| They all said, |Crucify him!|

23 He asked, |Why? What wrong has he done?| But they shouted more insistently, |Crucify him!|

24 When Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but that instead a riot was starting, he took some water, washed his hands before the crowd and said, |I am innocent of this man's blood. You take care of it yourselves!|

25 In reply all the people said, |Let his blood be on us and on our children!|

26 Then he released Barabbas for them. But after he had Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified.