18
For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.
19
While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
20
But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
21
“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered.
22
“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!”
23
“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
24
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
25
All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”
26
Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him.
28
They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,