Matthew 27:11-36
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Pilate Questions Jesus
11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer.(A) 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?”(B) 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.(C)
Barabbas or Jesus?
15 Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Jesus[a] Barabbas. 17 So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus[b] Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”[c] 18 For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.”(D) 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed.(E) 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”[d] All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
Pilate Hands Jesus Over to Be Crucified
24 So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood;[e] see to it yourselves.”(F) 25 Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”(G) 26 So he released Barabbas for them, and after flogging Jesus he handed him over to be crucified.(H)
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters,[f] and they gathered the whole cohort around him.(I) 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and after twisting some thorns into a crown they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”(J) 30 They spat on him and took the reed and struck him on the head.(K) 31 After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.(L)
The Crucifixion of Jesus
32 As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross.(M) 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it.(N) 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots;[g](O) 36 then they sat down there and kept watch over him.(P)
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 27.16 Other ancient authorities lack Jesus
- 27.17 Other ancient authorities lack Jesus
- 27.17 Or the Christ
- 27.22 Or the Christ
- 27.24 Other ancient authorities read this righteous blood or this righteous man’s blood
- 27.27 Gk the praetorium
- 27.35 Other ancient authorities add in order that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled, “They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.”
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.