Luke 23:6-25

English Standard Version

Jesus Before Herod

⁶ When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. ⁷ And when he learned that he belonged to ^(A)Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. ⁸ When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, ^(B)for he had long desired to see him, ^(C)because he had heard about him, and he was hoping ^(D)to see some sign done by him. ⁹ So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. ¹⁰ The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. ¹¹ And Herod with his soldiers ^(E)treated him with contempt and ^(F)mocked him. Then, ^(G)arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. ¹² And ^(H)Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

¹³ Pilate then called together the chief priests and ^(I)the rulers and the people, ¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought me this man ^(J)as one who was misleading the people. And ^(K)after examining him before you, behold, I ^(L)did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. ¹⁵ Neither did Herod, for ^(M)he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. ^16 (N)I will therefore punish and release him.”^[a]

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

^18 (O)But they all cried out together, ^(P)“Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— ¹⁹ a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and ^(Q)for murder. ²⁰ Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, ²¹ but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” ²² A third time he said to them, “Why? ^(R)What evil has he done? ^(S)I have found in him no guilt deserving death. ^(T)I will therefore punish and release him.” ²³ But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. ²⁴ So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. ²⁵ He released the man who had been thrown into prison ^(U)for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, ^(V)but he delivered Jesus over to their will.