Matthew 27:15-26

Jesus or Barabbas

15 At the festival the governor's custom was to release to the crowd a prisoner they wanted.

16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.^[a]

17 So when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Who is it you want me to release for you-Barabbas,^[b] or Jesus who is called Messiah?"

18 For he knew they had handed Him over because of envy.

19 While he was sitting on the judge's bench, his wife sent word to him, "Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for today I've suffered terribly in a dream because of Him!"

20 The chief priests and the elders, however, persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to execute Jesus.

21 The governor asked them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" "Barabbas!" they answered.

22 Pilate asked them, "What should I do then with Jesus, who is called Messiah?" They all answered, "Crucify Him!"^[c]

23 Then he said, "Why? What has He done wrong?" But they kept shouting, "Crucify Him!" all the more.

24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere,^[d] but that a riot was starting instead, he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, "I am innocent of this man's blood.^[e] See to it yourselves!"

25 All the people answered, "His blood be on us and on our children!"

26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But after having Jesus flogged,^[f] he handed Him over to be crucified.