Matthew 27:15-26

World English Bible

¹⁵ Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner whom they desired. ¹⁶ They had then a notable prisoner called Barabbas. ¹⁷ When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” ¹⁸ For he knew that because of envy they had delivered him up.

¹⁹ While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of him.”

²⁰ Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. ²¹ But the governor answered them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”

They said, “Barabbas!”

²² Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do to Jesus who is called Christ?”

They all said to him, “Let him be crucified!”

²³ But the governor said, “Why? What evil has he done?”

But they cried out exceedingly, saying, “Let him be crucified!”

²⁴ So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”

²⁵ All the people answered, “May his blood be on us and on our children!”

²⁶ Then he released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he flogged and delivered to be crucified.