Matthew 27:11-23

English Standard Version

Jesus Before Pilate

^11 (A)Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you ^(B)the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, ^(C)“You have said so.” ^12 (D)But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. ¹³ Then Pilate said to him, ^(E)“Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” ¹⁴ But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

^15 (F)Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 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 ^(G)Jesus who is called Christ?” ¹⁸ For he knew that it was out ^(H)of envy that they had delivered him up. ¹⁹ Besides, while he was sitting on ^(I)the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with ^(J)that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today ^(K)in a dream.” ²⁰ Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ^(L)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?” ^(M)They all said, “Let him be crucified!” ²³ And he said, “Why? ^(N)What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”