14
But He made no reply to a single accusation, so that the Governor was greatly astonished.
15
"Now it was the Governor's custom at the Festival to release some one prisoner, whomsoever the populace desired;
16
and at this time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
17
So when they were now assembled Pilate appealed to them. "Whom shall I release to you," he said, "Barabbas, or Jesus the so-called Christ?"
18
For he knew that it was from envious hatred that Jesus had been brought before him.
19
While he was sitting on the tribunal a message came to him from his wife. "Have nothing to do with that innocent man," she said, "for during the night I have suffered terribly in a dream through him."
20
The High Priests, however, and the Elders urged the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to demand the death of Jesus.
21
So when the Governor a second time asked them, "Which of the two shall I release to you?" --they cried, "Barabbas!"
22
"What then," said Pilate, "shall I do with Jesus, the so-called Christ?" With one voice they shouted, "Let him be crucified!"
23
"Why, what crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they kept on furiously shouting, "Let him be crucified!"
24
So when he saw that he could gain nothing, but that on the contrary there was a riot threatening, he called for water and washed his hands in sight of them all, saying, "I am not responsible for this murder: you must answer for it."