Matthew 27:16-26

English Standard Version

¹⁶ And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. ¹⁷ So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or ^(A)Jesus who is called Christ?” ¹⁸ For he knew that it was out ^(B)of envy that they had delivered him up. ¹⁹ Besides, while he was sitting on ^(C)the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with ^(D)that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today ^(E)in a dream.” ²⁰ Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ^(F)ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 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 shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” ^(G)They all said, “Let him be crucified!” ²³ And he said, “Why? ^(H)What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

²⁴ So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that ^(I)a riot was beginning, he took water and ^(J)washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of ^(K)this man's blood;^{[a] (L)}see to it yourselves.” ²⁵ And all the people answered, ^(M)“His blood be on us and ^(N)on our children!” ²⁶ Then he released for them Barabbas, and having ^(O)scourged^[b] Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.