15
Nor did Herod find him guilty, for he sent him back to us. There is nothing this man has done to deserve death.
16
So I will have him whipped and let him go."
18
The whole crowd cried out, "Kill him! Set Barabbas free for us!
19
(Barabbas had been put in prison for a riot that had taken place in the city, and for murder.
20
Pilate wanted to set Jesus free, so he appealed to the crowd again.
21
But they shouted back, "Crucify him! Crucify him!
22
Pilate said to them the third time, "But what crime has he committed? I cannot find anything he has done to deserve death! I will have him whipped and set him free."
23
But they kept on shouting at the top of their voices that Jesus should be crucified, and finally their shouting succeeded.
24
So Pilate passed the sentence on Jesus that they were asking for.
25
He set free the man they wanted, the one who had been put in prison for riot and murder, and he handed Jesus over for them to do as they wished.