Matthew 27:15-44

Holman Christian Standard Bible

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,^[b] or Jesus who is called Messiah?”^{(B) 18} For he knew they had handed Him over because of envy.

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 Messiah?”

They all answered, “Crucify Him!”^[c](D)

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

But they kept shouting, “Crucify Him!” all the more.^(E)

²⁴ When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere,^[d] 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.^[e] 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. But after having Jesus flogged,^[f] he handed Him over to be crucified.^(H)

Mocked by the Military

²⁷ Then^(I) the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into headquarters and gathered the whole company around Him.^{(J) 28} They stripped Him and dressed Him in a scarlet military robe.^{(K) 29} They twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and placed a reed in His right hand. And they knelt down before Him and mocked Him: “Hail, King of the Jews!” ³⁰ Then they spit on Him, took the reed, and kept hitting Him on the head. ³¹ When they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the robe, put His clothes on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.^(L)

Crucified Between Two Criminals

³² As they were going out, they found a Cyrenian man named Simon. They forced this man to carry His cross.^{(M) 33} When they came to a place called Golgotha^(N) (which means Skull Place), ³⁴ they gave Him wine^[g] mixed with gall to drink. But when He tasted it, He would not drink it. ³⁵ After crucifying Him they divided His clothes by casting lots.^{[h](O) 36} Then they sat down and were guarding Him there. ³⁷ Above His head they put up the charge against Him in writing:

³⁸ Then two criminals^[i] were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.^{(P) 39} Those who passed by were yelling insults at^[j] Him, shaking their heads^{(Q) 40} and saying, “The One who would demolish the sanctuary and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”^{(R) 41} In the same way the chief priests, with the scribes and elders,^[k] mocked Him and said, ⁴² “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself! He is the King of Israel!^(S) Let Him^[l] come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. ⁴³ He has put His trust in God; let God rescue Him now—if He wants Him!^[m] For He said, ‘I am God’s Son.’” ⁴⁴ In the same way even the criminals who were crucified with Him kept taunting Him.^(T)