The Crowd Chooses Barabbas
13 Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,
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and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him.
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Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death.
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Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”
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But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”
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(Barabbas had been imprisoned for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)
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Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again,
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but they kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
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A third time he said to them, “What evil has this man done? I have found in Him no offense worthy of death. So after I punish Him, I will release Him.”
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But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices for Jesus to be crucified. And their clamor prevailed.
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So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met.
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As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over to their will.