Jesus Before Pilate

¹¹lNow Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you mthe King of the Jews?” Jesus said, n“You have said so.” ¹²oBut when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. ¹³Then Pilate said to him, p“Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” ¹⁴But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

¹⁵qNow at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. ¹⁶And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. ¹⁷So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or rJesus who is called Christ?” ¹⁸For he knew that it was out sof envy that they had delivered him up. ¹⁹Besides, while he was sitting on tthe judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with uthat righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today vin a dream.” ²⁰Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to wask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. ²¹The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” ²²Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” xThey all said, “Let him be crucified!” ²³And he said, “Why? yWhat evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

²⁴So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that za riot was beginning, he took water and awashed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of bthis man's blood;2 csee to it yourselves.” ²⁵And all the people answered, d“His blood be on us and eon our children!” ²⁶Then he released for them Barabbas, and having fscourged3 Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

Expand Chapter