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."
25
"His blood," replied all the people, "be on us and on our children!"
26
Then he released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he ordered to be scourged, and gave Him up to be crucified.
27
Then the Governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and called together the whole battalion to make sport of Him.
28
Stripping off His garments, they put on Him a general's short crimson cloak.
29
They twisted a wreath of thorny twigs and put it on His head, and they put a sceptre of cane in His right hand, and kneeling to Him they shouted in mockery, "Long live the King of the Jews!"
30
Then they spat upon Him, and taking the cane they repeatedly struck Him on the head with it.
31
At last, having finished their sport, they took off the cloak, clothed Him again in His own garments, and led Him away for crucifixion.
32
Going out they met a Cyrenaean named Simon; whom they compelled to carry His cross,
33
and so they came to a place called Golgotha, which means `Skull-ground.'