Jesus or Barabbas Is to Go Free ^(A)

¹⁵ At the special supper each year the leader of the country would always let one person who was in prison go free. It would be the one the people wanted. ¹⁶ They had a man who was known by all the people whose name was Barabbas. ¹⁷ When they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to let go free? Should it be Barabbas or Jesus Who is called Christ?” ¹⁸ For the leader of the country knew the religious leaders had given Jesus over to him because they were jealous.

¹⁹ While Pilate was sitting in the place where he judges, his wife sent him this word, “Have nothing to do with that good Man. I have been troubled today in a dream about Him.”

²⁰ The head religious leaders and the other leaders talked the many people into asking for Barabbas to go free and for Jesus to be put to death. ²¹ The leader of the country said to them, “Which one of the two do you want me to let go free?” They said, “Barabbas.” ²² Pilate said to them, “Then what am I to do with Jesus Who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Nail Him to a cross!” ²³ Then Pilate said, “Why, what bad thing has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Nail Him to a cross!”

²⁴ Pilate saw that he could do nothing. The people were making loud calls and there was much pushing around. He took water and washed his hands in front of the many people. He said, “I am not guilty of the blood of this good Man. This is your own doing.” ²⁵ Then all the people said, “Let His blood be on us and on our children!” ²⁶ Pilate let Barabbas go free but he had men whip Jesus. Then he handed Him over to be nailed to a cross.

Jesus or Barabbas Is to Go Free ^(A)

⁶ Each year at the special supper Pilate would let one person who was in prison go free. It would be the one the people asked for. ⁷ The name of one of those in prison was Barabbas. He, together with others, had killed people while working against the leaders of the country. ⁸ All the people went to Pilate and asked him to do as he had done before. ⁹ Pilate said, “Do you want me to let the King of the Jews go free?” ¹⁰ He knew the religious leaders had handed Jesus over to him because they were jealous. ¹¹ The religious leaders talked the people into thinking that Pilate should let Barabbas go free. ¹² Pilate said to them again, “What do you want me to do with the Man you call the King of the Jews?” ¹³ They spoke with loud voices again, “Nail Him to a cross.” ¹⁴ Then Pilate said to them, “Why? What bad thing has He done?” They spoke with loud voices all the more, “Nail Him to a cross!”

Jesus or Barabbas Is to Go Free ^(A)

³⁸ Pilate said to Jesus, “What is truth?” After Pilate said this, he went out again to the Jews. He said, “I do not find Him guilty. ³⁹ But every year a man who is in prison is allowed to go free at the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt. Do you want the King of the Jews to go free?” ⁴⁰ Then they spoke with loud voices, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.