Matthew 27:15-23

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

15 ¹Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted.

16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.

17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or ²Jesus who is called Christ?"

18 For he knew that it was out ³of envy that they had delivered him up.

19 Besides, while he was sitting on ⁴the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, "Have nothing to do with ⁵that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today ⁶in a dream."

20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ⁷ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.

21 The governor again said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" And they said, "Barabbas."

22 Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?"⁸They all said, "Let him be crucified!"

23 And he said, "Why, ⁹what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Let him be crucified!"

Cross References

• 1. For ver. 15-26, see Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:18-25; John 18:39, 40; John 19:16
• 2. ver. 22
• 3. [John 12:19]
• 4. John 19:13
• 5. ver. 24; [Luke 23:47]
• 6. See Matthew 2:12
• 7. Acts 3:14
• 8. Acts 13:28
• 9. [Luke 23:41; John 8:46]