Jesus Faces Pilate

23 Then^(A) their whole assembly rose up and brought Him before Pilate. ² They began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, opposing payment of taxes^(B) to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is the Messiah, a King.”

³ So Pilate asked Him,^(C) “Are You the King of the Jews?”^(D)

He answered him, “You have said it.”^[a]

⁴ Pilate then told the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no grounds^(E) for charging this man.”

⁵ But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people,^(F) teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee^(G) where He started even to here.”

Jesus Faces Herod Antipas

⁶ When Pilate^(H) heard this,^[b] he asked if the man was a Galilean. ⁷ Finding that He was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod,^(I) who was also in Jerusalem during those days. ⁸ Herod was very glad to see Jesus; for a long time he had wanted to see Him because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see some miracle^[c] performed by Him. ⁹ So he kept asking Him questions, but Jesus did not answer him.^{(J) 10} The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing Him. ¹¹ Then Herod, with his soldiers, treated Him with contempt, mocked^(K) Him, dressed Him in a brilliant robe,^(L) and sent Him back to Pilate. ¹² That very day Herod and Pilate became friends.^[d](M) Previously, they had been hostile toward each other.

Jesus or Barabbas

¹³ Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people,^{(N) 14} and said to them, “You have brought me this man as one who subverts the people.^(O) But in fact, after examining Him in your presence, I have found no grounds^(P) 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^[e](Q) and then release Him.” [¹⁷ For according to the festival he had to release someone to them.]^[f](R)

¹⁸ Then^(S) they all cried out together, “Take this man away!^(T) 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 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus,^(U) 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?^(V) I have found in Him no grounds^(W) 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^[g] won out. ²⁴ So^(X) Pilate decided to grant their demand^{(Y) 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.^(Z)