Matthew 27:15-26

Modern English Version

Jesus Sentenced to Die^(A)

¹⁵ Now at the feast, the governor was accustomed to releasing to the people a prisoner whom they chose. ¹⁶ They had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. ¹⁷ So when they had 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 they had handed Him over out of envy.

¹⁹ When he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man, for I have suffered much today in a dream on account of Him.”

²⁰ But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and kill Jesus.

²¹ The governor answered, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”

They said, “Barabbas.”

²² Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”

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

²³ The governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?”

But they cried out all the more, “Let Him be crucified!”

²⁴ When Pilate saw that he could not prevail, but rather that unrest was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous Man. See to it yourselves.”

²⁵ Then all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

²⁶ Then he released Barabbas to them. But when he had scourged Jesus, he handed Him over to be crucified.