¹² One of Crete’s own prophets^(A) has said it: “Cretans^(B) are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.”^[a]

⁵ But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city.^(A) They rushed to Jason’s^(B) house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.^[a]

³⁹ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”^(A)

³⁵ The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him.^(A) They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”^(B)

¹⁸ But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”^(A)

¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.^(A)

¹⁷ They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. ¹⁸ And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!”^{(A) 19} Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. ²⁰ And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out^(B) to crucify him.