8
So the people came crowding up, asking Pilate to grant them the usual favour.
9
"Shall I release for you the King of the Jews?" answered Pilate.
10
For he could see that it was out of sheer spite that the High Priests had handed Him over.
11
But the High Priests urged on the crowd to obtain Barabbas's release in preference;
12
and when Pilate again asked them, "What then shall I do to the man you call King of the Jews?"
13
they once more shouted out, "Crucify Him!"
14
"Why, what crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they vehemently shouted, "Crucify Him!"
15
So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the mob, released Barabbas for them, and after scourging Jesus handed Him over for crucifixion.
16
Then the soldiers led Him away into the court of the Palace (the Praetorium), and calling together the whole battalion
17
they arrayed Him in crimson, placed on His head a wreath of thorny twigs which they had twisted,
18
and went on to salute Him with shouts of "Long live the King of the Jews."