Matthew 27:20-30

20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ¹ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death.

21 But the governor 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 ²who is called Christ?" They all said, "Crucify Him!"

23 And he said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they kept shouting all the more, saying, "Crucify Him!"

24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that ³a riot was starting, he took water and ⁴washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of ⁵this Man's blood; ⁶see to that yourselves."

25 And all the people said, "⁷His blood shall be on us and on our children!"

26 Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus ⁸scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

Jesus Is Mocked

27 ⁹Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into ¹⁰the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman ¹¹cohort around Him.

28 They stripped Him and ¹²put a scarlet robe on Him.

29 ¹³And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, "¹⁴Hail, King of the Jews!"

30 ¹⁵They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head.

Cross References

• 1. Acts 3:14
• 2. Matthew 1:16
• 3. Matthew 26:5
• 4. Deuteronomy 21:6-8
• 5. Matthew 27:19
• 6. Matthew 27:4
• 7. Joshua 2:19; Acts 5:28
• 8. Mark 15:15; Luke 23:16; John 19:1
• 9. Matthew 27:27-31: {Mark 15:16-20}
• 10. Matthew 26:3; John 18:28, 33; John 19:9
• 11. Acts 10:1
• 12. Mark 15:17; John 19:2
• 13. Mark 15:17; John 19:2
• 14. Mark 15:18; John 19:3
• 15. Matthew 26:67; Mark 10:34; Mark 14:65; Mark 15:19

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "answered and said to them"
• [b] Lit "Let Him be crucified"
• [c] Lit "Let Him be crucified"
• [d] Or "to them"
• [e] I.e. the governor's official residence
• [f] Or "battalion"
• [g] Or "staff;" i.e. to mimic a king's scepter