Jesus or Barabbas

15 At the festival(A) the governor’s custom was to release to the crowd a prisoner they wanted. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.[a] 17 So when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Who is it you want me to release for you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” (B) 18 For he knew it was because of envy that they had handed him over.

19 While he was sitting on the judge’s bench, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for today I’ve suffered terribly in a dream because of him.”(C)

20 The chief priests and the elders, however, persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to execute Jesus. 21 The governor asked them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?”

“Barabbas!” they answered.

22 Pilate asked them, “What should I do then with Jesus, who is called Christ?”

They all answered, “Crucify him!” (D)

23 Then he said, “Why? What has he done wrong?”

But they kept shouting all the more, “Crucify him!” (E)

24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that a riot was starting instead, he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, “I am innocent of this man’s blood.[b] See to it yourselves!” (F)

25 All the people answered, “His blood be on us(G) and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas to them and, after having Jesus flogged, handed him over to be crucified.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. 27:16 Other mss read Jesus Barabbas, also in v. 17
  2. 27:24 Other mss read this righteous man’s blood

15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner(A) chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus[a] Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”(B) 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat,(C) his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent(D) man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream(E) because of him.”

20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.(F)

21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”(G) Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar(H) was starting, he took water and washed his hands(I) in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,”(J) he said. “It is your responsibility!”(K)

25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”(L)

26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged,(M) and handed him over to be crucified.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 27:16 Many manuscripts do not have Jesus; also in verse 17.

Jesus or Barabbas

13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people,(A) 14 and said to them, “You have brought me this man as one who misleads the people.(B) But in fact, after examining him in your presence, I have found no grounds(C) to charge this man with those things you accuse him of. 15 Neither has Herod, because he sent him back to us. Clearly, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will have him whipped[a](D) and then release him.”[b]

18 Then(E) they all cried out together, “Take this man away!(F) Release Barabbas to us!” 19 (He had been thrown into prison for a rebellion that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)

20 Wanting to release Jesus,(G) Pilate addressed them again, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify him!”

22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What has this man done wrong?(H) I have found in him no grounds(I) for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have him whipped and then release him.”

23 But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that he be crucified, and their voices[c] won out. 24 So(J) Pilate decided to grant their demand(K) 25 and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.(L)

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Footnotes

  1. 23:16 Gk paideuo; to discipline or “teach a lesson”
  2. 23:16 Some mss include v. 17: For according to the festival he had to release someone to them.
  3. 23:23 Other mss add and those of the chief priests

13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.(A) 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will punish him(B) and then release him.” [17] [a]

18 But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”(C) 19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22 For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”(D)

23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 23:17 Some manuscripts include here words similar to Matt. 27:15 and Mark 15:6.

39 You(A) have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?”

40 They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” (B) Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.[a](C)

Jesus Flogged and Mocked

19 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers also twisted together a crown(D) of thorns, put it on his head, and clothed him in a purple robe. And they kept coming up to him(E) and saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” and were slapping his face.

Pilate went outside again and said to them, “Look, I’m bringing him out to you to let you know I find no grounds(F) for charging him.” Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.(G) Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” (H)

Pilate Sentences Jesus to Death

When the chief priests and the temple servants[b] saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”

Pilate responded, “Take him and crucify him yourselves, since I find no grounds for charging him.”

Footnotes

  1. 18:40 Or robber; see Jn 10:1,8 for the same Gk word used here
  2. 19:6 Or temple police, or officers

39 But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?”

40 They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.(A)

Jesus Sentenced to Be Crucified(B)

19 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.(C) The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!”(D) And they slapped him in the face.(E)

Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out(F) to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.”(G) When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe,(H) Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”

As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”

But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him.(I) As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.”(J)